‘I know of no great one but this. I mean, I know of none that endangers good-nature and right feeling.’
‘And are you so sure that this does? Are you so sure that what you are faulting is not the manner and the way of a world you have not seen? that all these levities, as you would call them, are not the ordinary wear of people whose lives are passed where there is more tolerance and less pain?’
‘Be serious, Nina, for a moment, and own that it was by intention you were in the approach when Captain Curtis rode away: that you said something to him, or looked something—perhaps both—on which he got down from his horse and walked beside you for full a mile?’
‘All true,’ said Nina calmly. ‘I confess to every part of it.’
‘I’d far rather that you said you were sorry for it.’
‘But I am not; I’m very glad—I’m very proud of it.
Yes, look as reproachfully as you like, Kate! “very proud” was what I said.’
‘Then I am indeed sorry,’ said Kate, growing pale as she spoke.
‘I don’t think, after all this sharp lecturing of me, that you deserve much of my confidence, and if I make you any, Kate, it is not by way of exculpation; for I do not accept your blame; it is simply out of caprice—mind that, and that I am not thinking of defending myself.’
‘I can easily believe that,’ said Kate dryly.