She nodded thanks and led him to the end of the porch. For a few moments she leaned on the railing and watched the street lights. Then, abruptly, she shot her question at him.
"Why are you going away?"
Stiff as a poker, he made answer. "Business in London, Miss Seldon. Sorry to leave and all that, but——"
She cut him off sharply. "I want the truth. What have I done that you should ... treat me so?"
Anger stirred in him again. "Did I say you had done anything?"
"But you think I'm to blame. You know you do."
"Do I?" His vanity and suspicion made him wary, though he knew she was trying to win him back. He told himself that he had been made a fool of long enough.
"Yes, you do ... and it's all your fault." She broke down and turned half from him. Deep sobs began to rack her body.
"I'd like to know how it's my fault," he demanded resentfully. "Am I to blame because you broke your engagement to walk with me and went with that thief Kilmeny?"
"Yes." The word fell from her lips so low that he almost doubted his ears.