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Lola Brandt broke the silence. She did not look at me. She said:
"I can't help feeling that you're my friend."
"I am," I cried, in the exultation of my promotion to the role of Deputy
Providence. "I am indeed. And a most devoted one."
"Will you let me think over what you've said for a day or two--and then
come for an answer?"
"Willingly," said I.
"And you won't----?"
"What?"
"No. I know you won't."
"Tell Dale?" I said, guessing. "No, of course not."
She rose and put out both her hands to me in a very noble gesture. I
took them and kissed one of them.
She looked at me with parted lips.
"You are the best man I have ever met," she said.
At the moment of her saying it I believed it; such conviction is induced
by the utterances of this singular woman. But when I got outside the
drawing-room door my natural modesty revolted. I slapped my thigh
impatiently with what I thought were my gloves. They made so little
sound that I found there was only one. I had left the other inside.


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