Varick was already dressed for dinner, and, not for the first time, the doctor told himself what a distinguished-looking man his friend and host was.

“Panton,” said Varick abruptly, “I have something on my mind.”

The doctor looked up, surprised.  “What is it, my dear fellow?” he asked kindly.

“I can’t help thinking that in some inexplicable way I pushed Bubbles Dunster over the edge of that embankment.  Has she said anything to you about it?”

Dr. Panton got up and came over to the speaker.  He put his hand heavily on Varick’s shoulder, and almost forced him down into the chair from which he had himself risen.

“Look here,” he exclaimed, “this won’t do at all!  Pull yourself together, man—­you mustn’t get such fancies into your head.  That way madness lies.  Still, you may as well try and get it off your chest once for all.  Tell me exactly what did happen?  Begin at the beginning—­”

As Varick remained silent, the doctor went on, encouragingly:  “I will start you by reminding you that Miss Bubbles was wearing the most absurd high-heeled shoes.  Young Donnington spoke to her about them, and that drew my attention to her feet as we came out of the gate.  She even tripped when we were just past the bridge.  Do you remember that?”

“No, I didn’t notice her at all.”

“Well, tell me exactly what happened just before she fell over the edge of the embankment?”

“I don’t know that there’s very much to tell.”  Varick was now staring into the fire, but at last he began in a strained, tired voice: 

“Donnington had just shouted out that we were walking rather too near to the edge, and so I took hold of her arm.  But you know what Bubbles is like?  She’s a queer kind of girl, and she tried to wrench herself free.  Then I gripped a little harder and—­well, I don’t know exactly what did happen!  I suppose her foot turned, for I suddenly felt her weight full on me, and then, and then—­”

“Yes,” said Dr. Panton soothingly, “I know exactly what happened.  You instinctively straightened yourself to try to put her on her feet again, but she’d already lost her balance—­”

“I suppose that’s what did happen,” said Varick in a low voice.

“—­And her foot turning again, she rolled down the steep embankment,” concluded the doctor firmly.  “You did nothing, my dear chap, absolutely nothing, to bring the accident about!  Put that idea, once and for all, out of your mind.”

“I would,” said Varick painfully, “I would, but that I’m afraid—­in fact, I feel sure—­that she thinks I pushed her in.  She turned the most awful look on me, Panton, as she fell over the edge.  I shall never forget it.”

“That look had nothing to do with you,” said the doctor decidedly.  “It was simply the terrified look of a human being on the brink of a frightful death.”

“You’re a good friend,” muttered Varick, getting up.  “I’ll leave you to dress now.”