Then to come here like this, on the sly, when you know he can't be here, I--Oh, can't you see what you're doing ?" There was a moment's pause, then Arkwright spoke.

A deep pain looked from his eyes.

He was still very pale, and his mouth had settled into sad lines.
"I think, perhaps, it may be just as well if I tell you what I _am_ doing--or, rather, trying to do," he said quietly.
Then he told her.
"And so you see," he added, when he had finished the tale, "I haven't really accomplished much, after all, and it seems the little I have accomplished has only led to my being misjudged by you, my best friend." Alice gave a sobbing cry.

Her face was scarlet.

Horror, shame, and relief struggled for mastery in her countenance.
"Oh, but I didn't know, I didn't know," she moaned, twisting her hands nervously.