With a visible effort the man roused himself.

``Indeed I am,'' he maintained.

``I thought you'd be interested in the
wedding. You used to be friends--you and Billy.''
The girl's voice still vibrated with reproach.

There was a moment's silence; then, a little
harshly, the man said:

``Perhaps--because I wanted to be more
than--a friend--is why you're not satisfied with
my interest now.''

A look that was almost terror came to Alice
Greggory's eyes. She flushed painfully, then
grew very white.

``You mean--''

``Yes,'' he nodded dully, without looking up.
``I cared too much for her. I supposed Henshaw
was just a friend--till too late.''

There was a breathless hush before, a little
unsteadily, the girl stammered:

``Oh, I'm so sorry--so very sorry! I--I
didn't know.''