Lord Martindale breathed more freely. ‘Forgive me for putting the question, it is a strange one to ask now: were you really attached to Percy Fotheringham?’
‘With my whole heart,’ answered Theodora, deliberately.
‘Then why, or how—’
‘Because my pride and stubbornness were beyond what any man could bear,’ she answered. ‘He did quite right: it would not have been manly to submit to my conduct. I did not know how bad it was till afterwards, nor how impossible it is that my feelings towards him should cease.’
‘And this is the true history of your treatment of Lord St. Erme!’
‘Yes. He came at an unlucky moment of anger, when Violet was ill, and could not breathe her saving influence over me, and I fancied—It was very wrong, and I was ashamed to confess what I have told you now.’
‘Have you given him this explanation?’
‘I have.’
‘Well, I am better satisfied. He is a most generous person, and told me he had no reason to complain of you.’
‘Yes, he has a noble character. I am very sorry for the manner in which I have treated him, but there was nothing to be done but to put an end to it. I wish I had never begun it.’