But he did not.

At last, as she chattered on, so strongly asserting her faith in his innocence, he caught her convulsively to him.
"Winnie!" he gasped, and his voice was so hoarse and unnatural that she was startled.

"My God! Winnie, don't say those things! I know that when I confess the truth to you you will feel that I am the biggest scoundrel that ever walked.

But I must tell you.

I was a coward and a fool, I reckon, for not telling you before.