Forgive me, Ned--if I had only known it." He stopped and timidly extended his hand.

But Blandford put it aside with a cold gesture and folded his arms.
"You have forgotten all you ever knew of me, Demorest! I am not in the habit of making clandestine appointments with helpless women whose natural protectors I dare not face.

I have never pursued an innocent girl to the house I dared not enter.

When I found that I could not honorably retain Dona Rosita's affection, I fled her roof.

When I believed that even if I broke with this scoundrel--as I did--I was still legally if not morally tied to your wife, and could not marry Rosita, I left her never to return.