I was a long time, I admit, trying to discover what was Lord Falmouth's motive.
Suddenly, by dint of plunging into the abyss of hideous instincts, an infernal idea came into my mind.
I had a moment of execrable triumph: I had guessed it.
I thought all could be explained, all could be understood by this abominable interpretation.
I was seized with a horrible vertigo.
CHAPTER III
THE DUEL
I wrote the following hasty lines in answer to Lord Falmouth's admirable letter.
I rang the bell and sent him the note.[4]
Just as it has always happened, no sooner was the letter gone than I came to my senses, and when I was able to think of the infamous outrage I had committed, I was overcome with horror.