I--wanted to come more than--I wanted to come, but--I did not think it--best." Jerome said the last so defiantly that poor Lucina started.
"But it was because of nothing I had said, and it was not because you did not want to ?" she said, piteously.
"No," said Jerome.

Then he said, again, as if he found strength in the repetition.

"I did not think it best." "I thought you were coming that night," Lucina said, with scarcely the faintest touch of reproach but with more of wonder.

Why should he not have thought it best?
"I am sorry," said Jerome.

"I wanted to tell you, but I had no reason but that to give, and I--thought you might not understand." Lucina made no reply.