Her masquerade, with all its consequences, had brought him within near touch of another woman, whose personality at this hour overshadowed his mind to the exclusion of every other interest.

He was capable only of thinking that Sophia was treating him as a well-known friend.

The compunction suppressed within him culminated when, at her father's gate, Miss Rexford held out her hand for the good-bye grasp of his.

The idea that he was playing a false part became intolerable.

Impulsively he showed reluctance to take the hand.
"Miss Rexford, I--I'm afraid you think--" Then he remembered the promise by which he was bound to let Robert tell his own story.