It was just like a woman! He sincerely wished that he might tell her so.
In the presence of Marietta the man who had confronted sudden death less than twenty-four hours ago, with a coolness that had seemed imposing to other men, was little better than a girl himself.

He turned to go on, without saying more.

But she stopped him.
"I am sorry that you do not care for my friendship," she said, in a hurt tone.

She could not have said anything which he would have found it harder to answer just then.
"What makes you think that ?" he asked, hoping to gain time.
"Many things.

It is quite true, so it does not matter what makes me think it!" She tried to laugh scornfully, but there was a quaver in her voice which she herself had not expected and was very far from understanding.