If she tries descending now, he'll take it as his own cue to exit; if she tarries too long in thought, or finding the answer, he'll likewise flee. It might be a little strange, being so concerned about spooking a man twice her age, but these are hardly ordinary circumstances. He's only giving her an apology because he wants to placate her enough to make an exit without her kicking up a fuss.

All the more fool he, she supposes.

"I wish I could believe you," she says, instead of accepting that apology. "But for a man so dedicated to the truth, you certainly have a tendency to avoid it, don't you?"

Her gaze doesn't waver. "What happened?"