“Now, Loskiel,” he began, plainly vexed, “I am not cruel by nature, and you know it well enough. Men kiss and go their way — — “

“But women linger still.”

“Not those I’ve known.”

“Yet, here is one — — ”

“A silly fancy that will pass with her. Lord! Do you think a gentleman accountable to every pretty chit of a girl he notices on his way through life?”

“Some dare believe so.”

He stared at me, then laughed.

“You are different to other men, of course,” he said gaily. “We all understand that. So let it go —