his name he looked at her startled. It was the first time she had ever
used it!

She lowered her head and, clasping her hands, she went on constrainedly,
so overcome with emotion she dared not let herself go. "I want to tell
you something, and ask you to forgive me. I have learned the truth, that
you did not marry me just for my uncle's money. I know exactly what
really happened now. I am ashamed, humiliated, to remember what I said
to you. But I understood you had agreed to the bargain before you had
ever seen me. The whole thing seemed so awful to me--so revolting--I am
sorry for what I taunted you with. I know now that you are really a
great gentleman."

His face, if she had looked up and seen it, had first all lightened with
hope and love; but as she went on coldly, the warmth died out of it, and
a greater pain than ever filled his heart. So she knew now, and yet she
did not love him. There was no word of regret for the rest of her
taunts, that he had been an animal, and the blow in his face! The
recollection of this suddenly lashed him again, and made him rise to his
feet, all the pride of his race flooding his being once more.

He put down his tea-cup on the mantelpiece untasted, and then said
hoarsely:

"I married you because I loved you, and no man has ever regretted a
thing more."

Then he turned round, and walked slowly from the room.

And Zara, left alone, felt that the end had come.