He felt his own shortcomings as a lover when he saw the blood rush tumultuously to her face, cover even her neck.

Why, she must care for him with some passion to blush like that for his kiss.

He had no idea that it was the memory of another kiss which had caused that wild flush of colour.
"Well, Nell, when is it to be ?" he asked, trying to galvanise himself out of his coldness, trying to make the pity and tenderness which she awoke in him take the place of passion.
"When you will, Robin." "You will never repent it, God helping me," he said again.
They came back, as they were expected to, with things settled between them.

Robin had consulted a calendar in his pocket-book and named a date--Thursday, 23rd of July.

He would be free then.