'
'Because she is an old woman and I am a young one, and because in
intercourse between young men and young women there is something
dangerous to the woman and therefore pleasant to the man.'
'I never heard anything more unjust. You cannot think I desire
anything injurious to you.'
'I do think so.' She was still standing and spoke now with great
vehemence. 'I do think so. You force me to throw aside the
reticence I ought to keep. Would it help me in my purpose if your
friend Lord Silverbridge knew that I was here?'
'How should he know?'
'But if he did? Do you suppose that I want to have visits paid to
me of which I am afraid to speak? Would you dare tell Lady Mary
that you had been sitting alone with me on the rocks at Grex?'
'Certainly I would.'
'Then it would be because you have not dared to tell her certain
other things which have gone before. You have sworn to her no
doubt that you love her better than all the world.'
'I have.'
'And you have taken the trouble to come her to tell me that,--to
wound me to the core by saying so; to show me that though I may
still be sick, you have recovered,--that is if you ever suffered!
Go your way and let me go mine.
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