"I demean myself by doing it.

But I liked you once, and for the sake of that time I try to tell you how mistaken you are!" Much of her confusion resulted from her wonder and alarm at finding herself in a sense dominated mentally and emotionally by this simple school-girl.

"I do not love him," she went on, with desperate untruth.

"It was a kindness--my making somewhat more of him than one usually does of one's doctor.

I was lonely; I talked--well, I trifled with him.