Knight made no reply.
Do you know,Stephen continued,I could almost have sworn that you would be married before this time,from what I saw?
Knights face grew harder.Could you?he said.
Stephen was powerless to forsake the depressing,luring subject.
Yes;and I simply wonder at it.
Whom did you expect me to marry?
Her I saw you with.
Thank you for that wonder.
Did she jilt you?
Smith,now one word to you,Knight returned steadily.Dont you ever question me on that subject.I have a reason for making this request,mind.And if you do question me,you will not get an answer.
Oh,I dont for a moment wish to ask what is unpleasant to you--not I.I had a momentary feeling that I should like to explain something on my side,and hear a similar explanation on yours.
But let it go,let it go,by all means.
What would you explain?
I lost the woman I was going to marry:you have not married as you intended.We might have compared notes.
I have never asked you a word about your case.
I know that.
And the inference is obvious.
Quite so.
The truth is,Stephen,I have doggedly resolved never to allude to the matter--for which I have a very good reason.
Doubtless.As good a reason as you had for not marrying her.
You talk insidiously.I had a good one--a miserably good one!
Smiths anxiety urged him to venture one more question.
Did she not love you enough?He drew his breath in a slow and attenuated stream,as he waited in timorous hope for the answer.
Stephen,you rather strain ordinary courtesy in pressing questions of that kind after what I have said.I cannot understand you at all.I must go on now.