"I have, often," she said. She was drawing off her gloves.
Micky glanced hurriedly at her hands; she was wearing a ring. Hardly knowing that he did so, he leaned across and touched it.
"Is that an engagement ring?" he asked. His voice sounded a little breathless.
She looked up at him, drawing her hand away.
"I beg your pardon. I suppose I have no right to ask."
He ordered tea. He talked rather forced platitudes for the rest of the time. He was just going to call for the bill, when Esther Shepstone said suddenly--
"Mr. Mellowes, I should like to tell you something."
"Yes!" Micky did not look at her. Somehow he could not trust himself.
"I don't in the least know why I want to tell you," she said again nervously. "But--you've been so kind to me...."
"Yes!" said Micky gently, as she paused. "Yes, what is it?"
She was twisting her teaspoon, and she kept her eyes lowered.
"Last night, when I met you--I was very unhappy ... There didn't seem anything to live for in the world.... I don't know if you've ever felt like that, or if you have ever cared for any one--really cared, I mean--but if you have...." She stopped again.
"I think I understand," Micky said, with an effort. "You mean that there's some one, some man...."
"Some man you care for--care for very much," Micky went on slowly. "Perhaps some one you have quarreled with--who hadn't been quite as ... kind as he might have been----"
"Did you guess--last night?" she asked shyly.
"Did I? I am not sure, perhaps." He drew a long breath that was half a sigh. "Well?" he queried.
"I don't know why I am telling you this----" she said again, with a sort of distress. "It cannot interest you, but, somehow, I think I should like you to know."
"It interests me very much--I am honoured that you should tell me." Micky looked again at the ring she wore; quite a cheap little ring, with a couple of inferior diamonds. "You mean that you are engaged to be married?"
"Yes; at least----" The words were only a whisper.
"Well, I suppose you will have me for a friend all the same, won't you?" he asked with an effort.
"I thought if I told you that perhaps you'd rather not...." She stopped in confusion.
Micky leaned a little closer over the table.
"You said last night that you didn't believe in a man's friendship for a woman," he said. "Well, I am going to make you believe in it. I'm going to be your friend. The fact that you are engaged makes no difference to me, if it doesn't to you."