"Let us be fair, good Coz. I offered you the whole of that money back on that memorable night in April at the inn of St. Denis."
"Ay, on a ridiculous condition to which I cared not to agree."
"The ridiculous condition," said Michael gravely, "consisted in your acknowledging as your lawful wife, an exquisitely beautiful and virtuous lady who already had claim on your loyalty."
"The exquisitely beautiful lady," retorted Rupert with an ugly sneer, "had, an I mistake not, already dragged her virtue in the wake of your chariot, my friend."
"Silence, man," said Michael sternly, "for you know that you lie."
"Will you attempt to deny that your magnanimous offer at St. Denis was made because you were in love with my wife?"
"I'll not deny it, but what my feelings were in the matter concerned no one but myself."
"Mayhap, mayhap, but e'en you admit, good Coz," quoth Rupert with obvious spite, "that a wife's conduct—"
"Your wife's conduct, Cousin, is beyond reproach," broke in Michael calmly, "as you know right full well."