Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/100

 I ought never to have taken such a liberty,—but I felt”

She hesitated.

“It was no liberty at all. I dare say the mistake is natural enough to those who know nothing of of Miss Snowdon’s circumstances. I myself, however, have no right to talk about her. But what you have been told is absolute error.”

Clara walked a few paces aside.

“Again I ask you to forgive me.” Her tones had not the same clearness as hitherto. “In any case, I had no right to approach such a subject in speaking with you.”

“Let us put it aside,” said Sidney, mastering himself “We were just agreeing that I should see your father, and make known your wish to him.”

“Thank you. I shall tell him, when I go upstairs, that you were the friend whom I had asked to come here. I felt it to be so uncertain whether you would come.”

“I hope you couldn’t seriously doubt it.”

“You teach me to tell the truth. No. I knew too well your kindness. I knew that even to me”