'I'm much obliged to you for your letter. This is very sad, I'll send some more flowers for the coffin. Good morning.'
But a light came into Ellen's eyes, which Mildred did not like.
'Well,' she said, 'I hope you're satisfied. He died thinking of you. I hope you're satisfied.'
'Mr. Hoskin and I were intimate friends. It is only natural that he should think of me.'
'We were happy until you came… you've made dust and ashes of my life. Why did you take the trouble to do this? You were not in love with him, and I did you no injury.'
'I didn't know of your existence till the other day. I heard that—-'
'That I was his mistress. Well, so I was. It appears that you were not. But, I should like to know which of us two is the most virtuous, which has done the least harm. I made him happy, you killed him.'
'This is madness.'
'No, it is not madness. I know all about you, Ralph told me everything.'
'It surprises me very much that he should have spoken about me. It was not like him. I hope that he didn't tell you, that he didn't suggest that there were any improper relations between me and him.'