breathing was quick. "The idea of your speaking in that tone to me!"
she added, with a forced smile of hauteur. "What could have been in your
mind to lead you to speak like that?"

"Miss Vye, why should you make believe that you don't know this man?--I
know why, certainly. He is beneath you, and you are ashamed."

"You are mistaken. What do you mean?"

The reddleman had decided to play the card of truth. "I was at the
meeting by Rainbarrow last night and heard every word," he said. "The
woman that stands between Wildeve and Thomasin is yourself."

It was a disconcerting lift of the curtain, and the mortification of
Candaules' wife glowed in her. The moment had arrived when her lip would
tremble in spite of herself, and when the gasp could no longer be kept
down.

"I am unwell," she said hurriedly. "No--it is not that--I am not in a
humour to hear you further. Leave me, please."

"I must speak, Miss Vye, in spite of paining you. What I would put
before you is this. However it may come about--whether she is to blame,
or you--her case is without doubt worse than yours. Your giving up Mr.
Wildeve will be a real advantage to you, for how could you marry him?
Now she cannot get off so easily--everybody will blame her if she loses
him. Then I ask you--not because her right is best, but because her
situation is worst--to give him up to her."

"No--I won't, I won't!" she said impetuously, quite forgetful of her