Slowly he tore the paper into strips, crossed the room, and flung the remnants into the stove.

It had been a trick, then, a bit of play-acting! But had it?
Was not this rather the real fraud--this sudden change of heart?
Perhaps something had occurred to cause the girl to realise that she had made a mistake; to awaken her to a knowledge that a pretence at friendship would serve her cause better than an open break.
This note might have a sinister purpose; be intended to deceive.

No! He would not believe this.

All his old lurking faith in her came back in a flash of revelation.

He would continue to believe in her, trust her, feel that some worthy purpose had influenced her strange action.
And, above all, he would be at the lower bridge on the hour set.