 I had to risk something, and I risked that.«
    »I marvel at your disinclination to lie.«
    »What do you mean by saying that?« broke out Elgar, with natural warmth.
    »I mean simply what I say. Go on.«
    »After all, Mallard, I don't quite know why you should take this tone with
me. If a man falls in love, he thinks of nothing but how to gain his end; I
should think even you can take that for granted. My broken promise is a trifle
in view of what caused it.«
    »Again, in your view. In mine it is by no means a trifle. It distinguishes
you from honourable men, that's all; a point of some moment, I should think,
when your character is expressly under discussion.«
    »You mean, of course, that I am not worthy of Cecily. I can't grant any such
conclusion.«
    »Let us leave that aside for the present,« said Mallard. »Will you tell me
how it came to pass that you met Miss Doran and her companions at Pompeii?«
    Elgar hesitated; whereupon the other added quickly:
    »If it was with Miss Doran's anticipation, I want no details.«
    »No, it wasn't.«
    Their looks met.
    »By chance, then, of course?« said Mallard, sourly.
    Elgar spoke on an impulse, leaning forward.
    »Look, I won't lie to you. Miriam told me they were going. I met her that
morning, when I was slinking about, and I compelled her to give me her help -
sorely against her will. Don't think ill of her for it, Mallard. I frightened
her by my violent manner. I haven't seen her since; she can't know what the
result has been. None of them at Pompeii suspected - only a moment of privacy;
there's no need to say any more about it.«
    Mallard mused over this revelation. He felt inclined to scorn Elgar for
making it. It affected him curiously, and at once took a place among his
imaginings of Miriam.
    »You shall promise me that you won't betray your knowledge of this,« added
Reuben. »At all events, not now. Promise me that. Your word is to be trusted, I
know.«
    »It's very unlikely that I should think of touching on the matter to your
sister. I shall make no promise.«
