‘I hadn’t the least intention of seeing you,’ she replied. ‘It was a curiosity to know where you lived, nothing else. I shall never forgive you for the way in which you have behaved to me, so you needn’t try to explain yourself.’
‘Here and now, I should certainly not try. The only thing I will say about myself is, that I very much regret not having made known that you were married to me when plain honesty required it. Now, I look upon it as something over and done with, as far as I am concerned. I shall never benefit by the deception—’
She interrupted him.
‘How do you know that I shall benefit by it? How can you tell what has been happening since you last heard from me in America?’
‘I have taken it for granted that things are the same.’
‘Then you didn’t even take measures to have news of me from any one else?’
‘What need? I should always have received any letter you sent.’
‘You thought it likely that I should appeal to you if I were in difficulties.’
He stood silent, glad of the obscurity which made it needless for him to command his features. At length:
‘What is the simple fact? Has your secret been discovered, or not?’