"It is infamous," he almost shouted.
Lady Mary flung back the challenge.
"It is my appointed work. I shall work with Lord Wenderby for all I hold dear. I am going to live as Eustace Haversham died. Cannot you realise that this is required of me? I cannot choose only for myself. You must understand me, Peter. I can only endure this if you will believe that I am doing what is right."
Peter was obstinate.
"I do not believe it," he said. "It is a terrible mistake."
"Once you believed," she reminded him.
"I believed in you."
She faced him, queenly now, as when Peter had worshipped her. His soul fell suddenly at her feet.
"I still believe in you," he cried out. "I believe that you are too dear to be flung away."
"I cannot value myself as you do."