But I said what I said because I could not help it."
"On that ground it may be excusable," I suggested.
"No, no," she protested. "It can be excused on no grounds. But I did it,
and it can't be helped now. Without waiting for permission, he turned,
and we walked together almost to Hamilton House. I suppose, under the
circumstances, he considered it best not to ask for a permission which
might have been refused, and from his standpoint doubtless he was right.
Take without asking seems to be man's best method with woman. When I saw
we were approaching Hamilton House, I turned about for home, hoping, yet
fearing, that he would not go back with me. But he did."
"Yes, you were sure to be disappointed in that respect," I answered. And
she continued hastily:--
"Yes, he walked all the way with me. Before reaching Sundridge stile, I
asked him to leave me. That was another mistake, for it gave to our
meeting a clandestine appearance. He said my word was law to him, and
that he would obey, though to do so, that is, to leave me, was pain, you
understand."
"Yes, I can understand that he did not want to leave you," I answered.
But I saw that she had not finished, so I remained silent, and in a
moment she continued:--
"He had been so respectful to me throughout that I thought him a modest,
well-behaved gentleman, and--"
I laughed, interrupting her to explain: "All art, Frances, all art.
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