But since you have heard a rumor that died out long years ago--which was denied--which even now I might better deny--since, in fact you know the truth--why should I deny the truth ?" "Then you two played a game, at cards,--for a woman?
And Mr.
Parish won?
Was it not true ?" A new and different expression passed over the face of the gentleman before her.

Her chin still rested in her hand, her other arm, long, round, white, lay out upon the table before him.

He could see straight into her wide eyes, see the heave of her throat now under its shining circlet, see the color of her cheek, feel the tenseness of all her mind and body as she questioned him about his long forgotten past.
"Why do you ask me this ?" he demanded at last.

"What has that to do with us?
That was long ago.

It is dead, it is forgotten.