doubt I am--but I'm not all that. When I make an engagement, I keep
it. When I take obligations and responsibilities upon me, I do my best
to fulfil them. Most men do--decent men; but they never have justice
done them in these cases."

"In these cases!" she echoed scornfully. "Everybody knows what their
conduct is in these cases. The world is well used to it. Oh, I ought to
have known--if I hadn't been the most incredible fool! It was not for
want of warnings. But you seemed so different! The idea that you could
play with a woman in this way--compromise her--change all her life,
and spoil it utterly--and then back out! Oh! oh! Can you sit there and
tell me that you have incurred no responsibility in your dealings with
me, Guthrie--making me love you as I did--making me a bad woman--
unfaithful to my good husband--the most honourable, the most trustful
of men--"

"Did I do that? Honour bright now, Francie."

"Oh, this is too much!" she burst out furiously, springing from
her seat, and being dragged back by his iron grasp of her hands. "Let
me go, sir! I have had insults enough--and in my own house--with no
husband to protect me--"

"Sit down," he commanded. "And for God's sake don't--don't go on like
that! I can't stand it. I am not insulting you, dear--not wilfully
insulting you--not more than I am forced to. I only want us both to
understand the case as it is; surely you and I are not afraid to speak
out--to face the truth? You are not crying, Francie?"

"No, no! Indeed, I'm not! Don't you flatter yourself! I am not hurt,