She was just crossing the corridor where the bachelors were lodged, when she almost ran into the arms of Michael Arranstoun.
He stopped short and apologized--and then he said: "I was coming to find you--there is something I must say to you.

Mrs.
Forster's sitting-room is close here--will you come with me in there for a moment; we can be alone." Sabine hesitated.

She looked up at him, so tall and masterful and astonishingly handsome--and then she obeyed him meekly, and he led the way into a cosy little room unlit except for a glowing mass of coals.
Michael turned on one electric lamp, and they both went over to the chimney piece.
Intense excitement and emotion filled them, but while he tried to search her face with his passionate eyes, she looked into the fire with lowered head.
Then he spoke almost fiercely: "I cannot try to guess what caused you to pretend you did not recognize me when we met at Heronac.

That first false step has created all this hopeless tangle.

I will not judge you, but only blame my own weakness in falling in with your plan." He clasped his hands together rather wildly.
"I was so stunned with surprise to see you, and overcome with the knowledge that I had just given Henry my word of honor that I would not interfere with him, or make love to the lady we were going to see--a Mrs.Howard, who was married to a ruffian of an American husband shut up in a madhouse or home for inebriates! My God! Lies from the very beginning," and he gave a little laugh.