"You needn't tell at all," she said, lifting her face and showing as she did so the tears rolling down her cheeks. "_Weak_! You're as strong as steel! If all men were like you, there wouldn't be anything for me to tell either. But they're not. The night before I telegraphed you, an old friend brought me home after a dinner and theatre party. We had all had an awfully gay time, and--well, I think it was a little _too_ gay. This man wanted to marry me long ago, and I think, perhaps, I would have accepted him once--if he'd--had any money. But he didn't then--he's made a lot since. He began to pay me a good deal of attention again the instant I got back to New York, and I was glad to see him again, and--Of course, I ought to have told him about you right off, but some way, I didn't. I always liked him a lot, and I enjoyed--just having him round again. I thought that if he began to show signs of--getting restive--I could tell him I was engaged, and that would put an end to it. But he didn't show any signs--any _preliminary_ signs, I mean, the way men usually do. He simply--suddenly broke loose on the way home that night, and when I refused him, he said most dreadful things to me, and--" "Took you in his arms by force, and kissed you, in spite of yourself." Austin finished the sentence for her speaking very quietly. "Oh, Austin, _please_ don't look at me like that! I couldn't help it!" "Couldn't help it! No, I suppose you struggled and fought and called him all kinds of hard names, and then you sent for me, expecting me to go to him and do the same. Well, I shan't do anything of the sort. I think you were twice as much to blame as he was. And if you ever--let yourself in for such an experience again, I'll never kiss you again--that's perfectly certain." "_Austin!_"