Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/166

152 "By the river, on this side."

"On this side? You didn't go to Bounds?"

"Not when I left you for the purpose. I obeyed an impulse that made me do just the opposite. You see," said Dennis, "that there's a flaw in my honour! You had filled my cup too full—I couldn't carry it straight. I kept by the stream—I took a walk."

Rose gave a low, vague sound. "But Miss Martle and I were there together."

"You were together till you separated. On my return to the bridge I met her."

Rose hesitated. "Where was she going?"

"Over to Bounds—but I prevented her."

"You mean she joined you?"

"In the kindest manner—for another turn. I took her the same way again."

Once more Rose thought. "But if she was going over, why in the world should she have let you?"

Dennis considered. "I think she pitied me."

"Because she spoke to you of me?"

"No; because she didn't. But I spoke to her of you," said Dennis.