‘This is mere nonsense,’ said Kate boldly. ‘You either believe that man was fooling you, or that you have sent him away unhappy? Take which of these you like.’
‘Can’t your rustic nature see that there is a third case, quite different from both, and that Harry Curtis went off believing—’
‘Was he Harry Curtis?’ broke in Kate.
‘He was dear Harry when I said good-bye,’ said Nina calmly.
‘Oh, then, I give up everything—I throw up my brief.’
‘So you ought, for you have lost your cause long ago.’
‘Even that poor Donogan was not spared, and Heaven knows he had troubles enough on his head to have pleaded some pity for him.’
‘And is there no kind word to say of me, Kate?’
‘O Nina, how ashamed you make me of my violence, when I dare to blame you! but if I did not love you so dearly, I could better bear you should have a fault.’
‘I have only one, then?’