"Instead, you tried to throw the blame on him. I would to God you had exposed me!"
"So you have remarked. I confess I do not understand this heroic attitude. Why should I interfere in what was none of my business? What proof had I?"
"Why did you raise no demur? What motive had you?"
"I should have thought it fairly obvious."
Richard stared at him, puzzled.
"Gad, Richard! but you are singularly obtuse. Have I not pointed out that John was a quixotic fool? When did I say he was a weak one?"
"You mean—you mean you wanted Lavinia to marry me—because you thought to squeeze me as you willed?" asked Carstares slowly.
His Grace's thin nostrils wrinkled up.
"You are so crude," he complained.
"It suited you that Jack should be disgraced? You thought I should seize his money. You—you—"