I could not explain; it would require too long, and she would in all
probability refuse to believe the story. Besides, what difference
could it make? She had as much to explain as I; no more reason to
suspect me than I had her. Let us meet then on common ground.

"If I grant your hasty guess to be partially correct," I returned
finally, my voice deepening with earnestness, "and confess I was
avoiding observation--what then? Can you not also believe me a man
capable of treating you honorably? Is it totally impossible for you to
conceive of circumstances so compelling, as to cause one to avoid the
police, and yet involve no real loss of manhood?"

She bowed her head slightly, lowering her eyes before mine. My
earnestness, my apparent education, were clearly a surprise.

"Yes," she confessed reluctantly enough. "I--I believe I can. There
was a time when I could not, but I can now."

"Then yield me the benefit of such charity of judgment," I went on.
"At least do not altogether condemn me on mere circumstantial evidence,
and before you learn what has led up to the events of the night. At
least give me opportunity to exhibit my gratitude."

She remained silent, motionless.

"Why not? Is it because you have no confidence in me?" I insisted.

She put out one hand, grasping the iron rail of a fence, and I thought
I could see her form tremble.