"Yes. Lady Aylmer is one of those hard, severe women who never forgive."
"Ah, I see it all now. I understand it all. Clara, you must forget me, and come here no more. You shall not be ruined because you are generous."
"Ruined! If Lady Aylmer's displeasure can ruin me, I must put up with ruin. I will not accept her for my guide. I am too old, and have had my own way too long. Do not let that thought trouble you. In this matter I shall judge for myself. I have judged for myself already."
"And your father?"
"Papa knows nothing of it."
"But you will tell him?"
"I do not know. Poor papa is very ill. If he were well I would tell him, and he would think as I do."
"And your cousin?"
"You say that he has heard it all."
"I think so. Do you know that I remembered him the first moment that I saw him. But what could I do? When you mentioned to me my old name, my real name, how could I be honest? I have been driven to do that which has made honesty to me impossible. My life has been a lie; and yet how could I help it? I must live somewhere,—and how could I live anywhere without deceit?"