"Forgive me!" she said hurriedly. "But, Mr. Southard, I cannot marry you. I made a mistake. Don't be angry with me. I cannot help it. And I think, too, that you mistook also."
"I do not understand this," he said, dropping her hand.
"I should never have thought of marrying, if I had not been angry with him," she said. "That was wicked and foolish, and I have got over it now. We are reconciled. I shall never forget him."
"Am I to understand that your remembrance of Mr. Granger is a bar to your union with me?" asked Mr. Southard, regaining his composure.
"An insurmountable bar!"
He bowed gravely. "Then there is no more to be said. I wish you good-evening."
She watched him go; and when the door had closed, broke into a soft laugh. "In exitu Israel;" she said. "I am free!"
The door opened again, and Mr. Lewis came in. "You here?" he said. "I want to get the first volume of—But what's the matter with you? I just met Mr. Southard going into his room. Have you promised to marry him?"
"No, I have promised not to," Margaret said, smiling.
Mr. Lewis looked at her with a softening face, and eyes that grew dim.