“If I was guilty of an indiscretion in following you, Mademoiselle,” he pursued, “it was because of my great love for you.  If you had chosen to marry some one else, I couldn’t have kept you from it; but at least I was determined to try.  Though I thought it incredible that you should take a step like that, in secrecy and flight, yet I find so many strange ways of marrying in America that I must be pardoned for my fear.  As it is, I cannot regret it, since, by a miracle, it gave me proof of that which you have found it so difficult to believe.  It has grieved me more than I could ever make you understand to know that during all these months you have doubted me.”

“I’m sure of that,” she said, softly, gazing into the fire.  “But haven’t you wondered where I was that night when you followed me to Lakefield?”

“If I have, I shouldn’t presume to inquire.”

“It’s a secret; but I should like to tell it to you.  I know you’ll guard it sacredly, because it concerns—­a woman’s honor.”

Though she did not look up, she felt the startled toss of the head, characteristic of his moments of alarm.

“If Mademoiselle is pleased to be satirical—­”

“No.  There’s no reason why I should be satirical.  If, in spite of everything, my confidence in you wasn’t absolute, I shouldn’t risk a name I hold so dear as that of Dorothea Pruyn.”

“Tiens!” he exclaimed, under his breath.

“Miss Pruyn is a charming girl, but she’s been very foolish.  What she did was not quite so bad in American eyes as it would be in French ones, but it was certainly very wilful.  If you heard rumors of an elopement, it was hers.”

“Mon Dieu! With the big Monsieur Reggie?”

“Not quite.  I needn’t tell you the young man’s name; it will be enough to say that the big Monsieur Reggie, as you call him, was in his confidence.  It was Reggie who undertook to convey Dorothea to Lakefield, where she was to meet the bridegroom-elect and marry him.”

“And then?”

“Then Reggie told me.  It was silly of any one to intrust him with a mission of the kind, for he couldn’t possibly keep it to himself.  He told me while we were lunching at the Blitz.  That’s what he was whispering.  That’s why I went away with him after lunch and left you with my aunt.  I saw you were annoyed, but I couldn’t help it.”

“You wanted to dissuade him?”

“I tried; but I saw it was too late for that.  Reggie wouldn’t desert his friend at the last minute.  The only concession I could wring from him was that he should let me take his place in the motor.”

“You?”

“I drive at least as well as Mr. Bradford.  I made him see that in case of accident it would make all the difference in the world to Miss Pruyn’s future life to be with a woman, rather than a man.”

“Did you make her see it, too?”

“I didn’t try.  The arrangements these wise young people had made rendered the substitution easy.  Dorothea had apparently considered it part of the romance not to know with whom she was going, or where she was being taken.  At the time and place appointed she found an automobile, driven by a person in a big fur coat, a cap, and goggles.  It was agreed that she should enter and ask no questions.”