"Your presence here looks like it," Collingwood said quickly. "Why, how did you know she was here unless you had her watched? Loved and trusted her! Good God! man, you never knew she existed until another man wanted her!"
"You admit that you wanted her!" Admaston snarled out.
"Yes," the other answered, standing well up; "and much good may the admission do you. I wanted her, and I fought with all the weapons I dared employ, and I have failed. What fight have you made for her? It was her own purity that kept her sweet. It was that purity that I wanted, but I have lost her." He made a passionate gesture with his hands which showed how deeply he was moved—a gesture quite unlike the ordinary English habit.
"If you have any instincts of a gentleman, you have won," Admaston answered.
"What do you mean?"
Peggy, who stood there trembling, gave a wail of despair.
"George, you cannot mean——"
Admaston took no notice of her.
"Your methods have not been over nice," he said with biting scorn: "to betray your friend—to seduce his wife."
"That's a lie! I don't defend myself—but don't you dare to say a word against her. We were great friends. I loved her, and thought she loved me. But she doesn't; she loves you."