"That sort of way!" he exclaimed. He seemed both surprised and
disappointed.

"Yes," I said, "that sort of way. It's finished. What did you
expect?"

"I don't know," said Raffles. "I only thought that the girl who
went so far to get a fellow out of a tight place might go a little
farther to keep him from getting into another."

"I don't see why she should," said I, honestly enough, yet with
the irritation of a less just feeling deep down in my inmost
consciousness.

"Yet you did hear from her?" he persisted.

"She sent me back my poor presents, without a word," I said, "if
you call that hearing."

I could not bring myself to own to Raffles that I had given her
only books. He asked if I was sure that she had sent them back
herself; and that was his last question. My answer was enough for
him. And to this day I cannot say whether it was more in relief
than in regret that he laid a hand upon my shoulder.

"So you are out of Paradise after all!" said Raffles. "I was not
sure, or I should have come round before. Well, Bunny, if they
don't want you there, there's a little Inferno in the Albany where
you will be as welcome as ever