'
'I suppose he does mean that.'
'Yes, Lady Mary; that is what he means. And he means further to
let me know that as I did so foully betray the trust which he had
placed in me,--that as I had consented to play the part of
assistant to you in that secret engagement,--therefore he casts me
off as altogether unworthy of his esteem and acquaintance. It is
as though he had told me in so many words that among women he had
known none more vile or more false than I.'
'Not that, Mrs Finn.'
'Yes, that;--all of that. He tells me that, and then says that
there shall be no more words spoken or written about it. I can
hardly submit to so stern a judgement. You know the truth, Lady
Mary.'
'Do not call me Lady Mary. Do not quarrel with me.'
'If your father has quarrelled with me, it would not be fit that
you and I should be friends. Your duty to him would forbid it. I
should not have come to you now did I not feel that I am bound to
justify myself. The thing of which I am accused is so repugnant to
me, that I am obliged to do something and to say something, even
though the subject itself be one on which I would willing be
silent.
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