"
She puzzled, confused him, outwardly appearing to trifle with those
matters which seemed to his mind most gravely serious. Yet, his was a
dogged resolution that would not easily confess defeat.
"Miss Norvell," he began firmly, and in the depth of his earnestness he
touched her hand where it yet clung to the door, "I may, indeed, be
presuming upon an exceedingly brief friendship, but my sole excuse must
be the very serious interest I feel in you, especially in your
undoubted ability and future as an actress. It is always a great
misfortune for any man to repose trust and confidence in the character
of a woman, and then suddenly awaken to discover himself deceived.
Under these circumstances I should be unworthy of friendship did I fail
in plain speaking. To me, your reckless acceptance of this chance
engagement at the Gayety seems inexpressibly degrading; it is a
lowering of every ideal with which my imagination has heretofore
invested your character. I am not puritanical, but I confess having
held you to a higher plane than others of my acquaintance, and I find
it hard to realize my evident mistake.
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