"I have not the slightest wish to pry into the gentleman's secrets," he said, with growing anger. "My own interest in you is--simply that of a friend. You may not believe me, Miss Hale, but it is--in spite of the persecution I'm afraid I threatened you with at one time--but that is all given up; all passed away. You believe me, Miss Hale?"
"Yes," said Margaret, quietly and sadly.
"Then, really, I don't see any reason for us to go on walking together. I thought, perhaps, you might have had something to say, but I see we are nothing to each other. If you're quite convinced, that any foolish passion on my part is entirely over, I wish you good afternoon." He walked off very hastily.

'I have not the slightest wish to pry into the gentleman's secrets,' he said, with growing anger. 'My own interest in you is simply that of a friend. You may not believe me, Miss Hale, after the persecution I'm afraid I threatened you with at one time - but that is all passed away. You believe me, Miss Hale?'
'Yes,' said Margaret, quietly and sadly.
'Then I don't see any occasion for us to go on walking together. I thought perhaps you might have had something to say, but I see we are nothing to each other. I wish you good afternoon.' He walked off very hastily.
