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I'll tell you the plain truth, and you must
forgive me for wronging you. I know what young blood is, all the world
over. A fair face fires it--and impulse makes it gallop beyond control.
'Twas so with me when I was your age,--though no woman, I hope, was ever
the worse for my harmless lovemaking. But Thelma is different from most
women,--she has a strange nature,--moreover, she has a heart and a
memory,--if she once learns the meaning of love, she will never unlearn
the lesson. Now, I thought, that like most young men of your type, you
might, without meaning any actual evil, trifle with her--play with her
feelings--"
"I understand, Sir," said Philip coolly, without displaying any offense.
"To put it plainly, in spite of your liking for me, you thought me a
snob."
This time the old man laughed heartily and unforcedly.
"Dear, dear!" he exclaimed. "You are what is termed in your own land, a
peppery customer! Never mind--I like it. Why, my lad, the men of to-day
think it fair sport to trifle with a pretty woman now and then--"
"Pardon!" interrupted Philip curtly.


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