"What makes you talk like that?" she asked, wrinkling her pretty forehead. "You act so funny to-night." "I feel funny," he answered. They looked at one another for a moment, and then Drouet plunged desperately into his subject. "What's this about you and Hurstwood?" he asked. "Me and Hurstwood--what do you mean?" "Didn't he come here a dozen times while I was away?" "A dozen times," repeated Carrie, guiltily. "No, but what do you mean?" "Somebody said that you went out riding with him and that he came here every night." "No such thing," answered Carrie. "It isn't true. Who told you that?" She was flushing scarlet to the roots of her hair, but Drouet did not catch the full hue of her face, owing to the modified light of the room. He was regaining much confidence as Carrie defended herself with denials. "Well, some one," he said. "You're sure you didn't?" "Certainly," said Carrie. "You know how often he came." Drouet paused for a moment and thought. "I know what you told me," he said finally. He moved nervously about, while Carrie looked at him confusedly. "Well, I know that I didn't tell you any such thing as that," said Carrie, recovering herself. "If I were you," went on Drouet, ignoring her last remark, "I wouldn't have anything to do with him. He's a married man, you know." "Who--who is?" said Carrie, stumbling at the word. "Why, Hurstwood," said Drouet, noting the effect and feeling that he was delivering a telling blow. "Hurstwood!" exclaimed Carrie, rising. Her face had changed several shades since this announcement was made. She looked within and without herself in a half-dazed way. "Who told you this?" she asked, forgetting that her interest was out of order and exceedingly incriminating. "Why, I know it. I've always known it," said Drouet. Carrie was feeling about for a right thought. She was making a most miserable showing, and yet feelings were generating within her which were anything but crumbling cowardice. "I thought I told you," he added. "No, you didn't," she contradicted, suddenly recovering her voice. "You didn't do anything of the kind." Drouet listened to her in astonishment. This was something new. "I thought I did," he said. Carrie looked around her very solemnly, and then went over to the window. "You oughtn't to have had anything to do with him," said Drouet in an injured tone, "after all I've done for you." "You," said Carrie, "you! What have you done for me?"