But even they seemed to stand apart, reserved and forbidding.
When Low returned she hoped to gather from his eyes and manner what had passed between him and her former lover.

But beyond a mere gentle abstraction at times he retained his usual calm.

She was at last forced to allude to it herself with simulated recklessness.
"I suppose I didn't get a very good character from my last place ?" she said, with a laugh.
"I don't understand you," he replied, in evident sincerity.
She bit her lip and was silent.

But as they were returning home, she said gently, "I hope you were not angry with me for the lie I told when I spoke of 'your plan.' I could not give the real reason for not returning with--with--that man.

But it's not all a lie.