"You ask my individual judgment, or that of the world?"

"Yours, of course; I know the other already."

I extended my hand across the table, and placed it over her own. A
swift flush sprang to her cheeks, but she made no effort to draw away.
The action was so natural, so unaffectedly sincere, as to awaken no
resentment.

"I am a young man," I said earnestly, "but I have seen all kinds of
life, both right and wrong, upper and lower. I can realize how easy it
is to sit in a club window, and criticize the people passing along the
street. That is an amusement of fools. The inclination to become one
of that class left me long ago. Now I do not understand why you were
upon the street tonight unattended; why you came to my assistance, or
why you are here with me now. I have no desire to pry into your
secret. I am content to remain grateful, to count this a red-letter
day, because somehow, out of the mystery of the dark, we have thus been
brought together. An old professor used to say all life hinges on
little things, and I believe our chance meeting is going to change both
our lives, and for the better. Without asking a question, or harboring
a suspicion, I have faith in you--is that enough?"

"You mean, you accept me upon trust?"

"Certainly; even as you must accept me. I have no letters of
recommendation."

She was again looking directly toward me, her brown eyes earnest and
fearless.