"And if I proved it?"
"Then I would thank you; and hate myself for having been deceived, and him for having deceived me."
"Would you grieve for him, Claire?"
Quick as thought came the answer:
"Grieve for him! No; I could no more love a liar and a villain than I could caress a viper! I tell you, Madeline, I understand your feelings when you say that you hate Lucian Davlin," shuddering.
"And you would not hate me also for rudely undeceiving you?"
"Hate my best friend; my benefactor? No!"
"I am thankful!"
"But, Madeline, what does all this mean? Is this what you wanted to say to me? What can my feelings have to do with your case?"
"Claire,"—Madeline's face was very sad again—"this case is our case."