VII


Darrow was still standing on her threshold. As she put the
question he entered the room and closed the door behind him.

His heart was beating a little faster than usual and he had
no clear idea of what he was about to do or say, beyond the
definite conviction that, whatever passing impulse of
expiation moved him, he would not be fool enough to tell her
that he had not sent her letter. He knew that most
wrongdoing works, on the whole, less mischief than its
useless confession; and this was clearly a case where a
passing folly might be turned, by avowal, into a serious
offense.

"I'm so sorry--so sorry; but you must let me help you...You
will let me help you?" he said.

He took her hands and pressed them together between his,
counting on a friendly touch to help out the insufficiency
of words. He felt her yield slightly to his clasp, and
hurried on without giving her time to answer.

"Isn't it a pity to spoil our good time together by
regretting anything you might have done to prevent our
having it?"

She drew back, freeing her hands. Her face, losing its look