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139 on what ground he rested. I admitted that my betrothed had not wished the withdrawing."

"That was the first thing counter to what he had insisted at the club. He frowned in perplexity. Ah, so the matter was wholly from myself? I assented. Would I further explain?... so that at least he could get rid of one certain local statement... of that other one. An argument rose between us that grew to a sharp altercation. It was our first one, as well as our last. We became thoroughly angry, I the more so, because of what I felt was a manifest injustice to myself. Finally there was no other thing left than for me to meet his appeal—his demand. "No matter what was the root of the mystery, no matter what any attitude toward me because of it, he must know"... Still I hung back. Then, solemnly, he pledged me his word that whatever I might disclose, he "would forgive it"; it should "never be mentioned between us two again"; only provided that it bore out his defence of my relation to a faithful and pure woman."