“The preamble is awful,” said Lady Charlotte, rising from her recumbent posture.
“Pardon me; I have no right to intrude my feelings. I learn to-day, for the first time, that we are—are ruined.”
She did not lift her eyebrows, or look fixedly; but without any change at all, said, “Is there no doubt about it?”
“None whatever.” This was given emphatically. Resentment at the perfect realization of her anticipated worldly indifference lent him force.
“Ruined?” she said.
“Yes.”
“You I'll be more so than you were a month ago. I mean, you tell me nothing new, I have known it.”
Amid the crush and hurry in his brain, caused by this strange communication, pressed the necessity to vindicate his honour.
“I give you the word of a gentleman, Lady Charlotte, that I came to you the first moment it has been made known to me. I never suspected it before this day.”
“Nothing would prompt me to disbelieve that.” She reached him her hand.