it was--my folly, my immense conceit--for which perhaps you pitied me.
But it was something, for that one moment I saw you change. The hard
look went from your face, a colour came into your cheeks, your eyes grew
soft and tender--just for one moment--"

"What does all this--"

"Listen, listen! Let me speak! It may be my last chance. I tell you I
saw you as I know you must be--the real woman, not the hard, the
condemning judge that you have been to me. And as I saw you for that one
moment, I have remembered you and pictured you in my thoughts; and
seeing you in memory I have grown to love that woman I saw, to love her
with all my heart and soul."

Love! It dawned on her, this man, who had made a sport of her name, was
offering her love now! Love! she sickened at the very thought of it--the
word had been profaned by Philip Slotman's lips.

"I believe," she thought, "I believe that there is no such thing as
love--as holy love, as true, good, sweet love! It is all selfish passion
and ugliness!"

"Just now, Mr. Alston"--her voice was cold and scornful, and it chilled
him, as one is chilled by a drenching with cold water--"just now you
said perhaps you lacked humour. I do not think it is that, I think you
have a sense of humour somewhat perverted. Of course, you are only
carrying this--this joke one step further--"

"Joan!"