"I--I wanted a home, a friend, and I accepted his invitation eagerly,
but since you have come--"

"My presence makes this house impossible for you, of course," Hugh said,
and his voice was bitter. "Listen to me, I may never have an opportunity
of speaking to you again, Joan." He used her Christian name, scarcely
realising that he did so.

"You feel bitterly towards me, and with reason. You have made up your
mind that I have deliberately annoyed and insulted you. If you ask me to
explain what I did and why I did it, I cannot do so. I have a reason.
One day, if I am permitted, I shall be glad to tell you everything. I
came here to London like a fool, a senseless, egotistical fool, thinking
I should be doing a fine thing, and could put everything right by asking
you to become my wife in reality. I can see now what sort of a figure I
made of myself, and how I must have appeared to you when I was bragging
of my possessions. I suppose I lack a sense of humour, Joan, or there's
something wrong with me somewhere. Believe me, senseless and crude as it
all was, my intentions were good. I only succeeded in sinking a little
lower, if possible, in your estimation, and now I wish to ask your
pardon for it."

"I am glad," she said quietly, "that you understand now--"

"I do, and I have felt shame for it. I shall feel better now that I have
asked you to forgive. Joan," he went on passionately, "listen! A fool is
always hard to separate from his folly. But listen! That day when I saw
you in the City, when I made my egregious proposal to you--just for a
moment you were touched, something appealed to you. I do not know what