You promised, too." He spoke rapidly, sharply; she bent her fair head in silence until he ended.
"May I defend myself ?" she asked.
"Of course." "Then--I did not mean to make him care for me." "You all say that." "Yes; we are not always as innocent as I happen to be this time.

I really did not try, did not think, that he was taking a little unaccustomed kindness on my part so seriously ...

I overdid it; I'd been beastly to him--most women are rude to Delancy Grandcourt, somehow or other.

I always was.

And one day--that day in the forest--somehow something he said opened my eyes--hurt me....