But this was a feint.

He turned back and sat himself down upon the farther end of the settee from Julia.

He understood human nature perfectly, and had had long practice in making gradual approaches.

He begged her pardon for the bungling manner in which he had communicated intelligence that must be so terrible to a heart so sensitive! Julia was just going to declare that she did not care anything for what August said or thought, but her natural truthfulness checked the transparent falsehood.

She had not gone far enough astray to lie consciously; she was, as yet, only telling lies to herself.