“I’m not at all sure that there’s any cause for sorrow,” Hilliard interrupted, drawing up a chair and throwing himself upon it.  “Unless you mean that you are sorry for Eve.”

“I meant that as well.”

“Let us understand each other.  How much has she told you?”

“Everything, from beginning to end.  I had no idea of what happened in London before we went to Paris.  And she does so repent of it!  She doesn’t know how she could do it.  She wishes you had refused her.”

“So do I.”

“But you saved her—­she can never forget that.  You mustn’t think that she only pretends to be grateful.  She will be grateful to you as long as she lives.  I know she will.”

“On condition that I—­what?”

Patty gave him a bewildered look.

“What does she ask of me now?”

“She’s ashamed to ask anything.  She fears you will never speak to her again.”

Hilliard meditated, then glanced at the letter.

“I had better read this now, I think, if you will let me.”

“Yes—­please do——­”

He tore open the envelope, and disclosed two sheets of note-paper, covered with writing.  For several minutes there was silence; Patty now and then gave a furtive glance at her companion’s face as he was reading.  At length he put the letter down again, softly.

“There’s something more here than I expected.  Can you tell me whether she heard from Narramore this morning?”

“She has had no letter.”

“I see.  And what does she suppose passed between Narramore and me yesterday?”

“She is wondering what you told him.”

“She takes it for granted, in this letter, that I have put an end to everything between them.  Well, hadn’t I a right to do so?”

“Of course you had,” Patty replied, with emphasis.  “And she knew it must come.  She never really thought that she could marry Mr. Narramore.  She gave him no promise.”

“Only corresponded with him, and made appointments with him, and allowed him to feel sure that she would be his wife.”

“Eve has behaved very strangely.  I can’t understand her.  She ought to have told you that she had been to see him, and that he wrote to her.  It’s always best to be straightforward.  See what trouble she has got herself into!”

Hilliard took up the letter again, and again there was a long silence.

“Have you said good-bye to her?” were his next words.

“She’s going to meet me at the station to see me off.”

“Did she come from Dudley with you?”

“No.”

“It’s all very well to make use of you for this disagreeable business——­”

“Oh, I didn’t mind it!” broke in Patty, with irrelevant cheerfulness.