Marius interrupted.
"I think I know what you would say, my lord: that for my sake, and for the sake of my lady mother, you made this match."
"Nay, you would never hear that from me," rejoined Rose Lyndwood.
"But it crossed your mind—it is in Susannah's mind," said Marius gloomily and fiercely; "and it is not true; at first I thought it so, but it was not. Mr. Hilton's money was not bought for us but for yourself, to save yourself from ruin; you married his daughter for no noble consideration but to give you the means to continue this life of a man of fashion; as she said, you wanted the money."
"Do you speak to provoke me?" asked my lord breathlessly.
"I think I speak to make it all clear to myself," answered Marius slowly. "It sounds so mean put into words and so clear—there was no other way out for you save this marriage—it was not in you even to desire other than this life you led, and so you married your lady; she was forced into it and you allowed her to be forced."
Rose Lyndwood laughed, suddenly and unrestrainedly.
"My lady has made a rare convert!" he cried. "It is amusing to see you learning virtue at the Countess Lavinia's feet. I wonder what else she will teach you besides hate of me."
He picked up his cloak; there was a gleam of the pale pink colour as he flung it about him in the shadows.