"I have; and for a month or two, not a week or two. But there was a motive—It was an experiment."
"You have used me for experimental purposes, then?"
"Yes."
"I am immensely grateful to have been considered worthy of a part in an experiment of yours, even although a passive one. May I ask if the experiment is ended?"
"It is."
"Since when? Since I made that confession about some one else?"
Miss Stowe's face was pale, her dark eyes were brilliant. "I knew all the while that you were in love—hopelessly in love—with Mrs. Lovell," she said, with a proud smile. "That was the reason that, for my experiment, I selected you."
A flush rose over his face as she spoke. "You thought you would have the greater triumph?" he asked.
"I thought nothing of the kind. I thought that I should be safe, because you would not respond."