"Emily, this matter is becoming very serious, and I strongly advise you to be on your guard in what you say. I will bear much for you, and much for our boy; but I will not bear to have my name made a reproach."
"Sir, if you think your name is shamed by me, we had better part," said Mrs. Trevelyan, rising from her chair, and confronting him with a look before which his own almost quailed.
"It may be that we had better part," he said, slowly. "But in the first place I wish you to tell me what were the contents of that letter."
"If it was there when you came in, no doubt it is there still. Go and look at it."
"That is no answer to me. I have desired you to tell me what are its contents."
"I shall not tell you. I will not demean myself by repeating anything so insignificant in my own justification. If you suspect me of writing what I should not write, you will suspect me also of lying to conceal it."
"Have you heard from Colonel Osborne this morning?"
"I have."
"And where is his letter?"
"I have destroyed it."