"It was. And you see now, Lucy, why I did not dare to speak more openly. I grant that it would have been enough to prevent our marriage, had you then so willed it: but, being my wife, it is not any sufficient cause for you to separate yourself from me."
And, in answer to a question of mine, he could boast that night of his innocence! ran her indignant thoughts.
"I am the best judge of that," she said aloud, in answer. "Not sufficient cause! I wonder you dare say it. It is an outrage on all the proprieties of life. You must bring--them--to the Maze here, close to your roof, and mine!"
In her shrinking reticence, she would not mention to him the girl in plain words; she would not even say "her," but substituted the term "them," as though speaking of Mrs. Grey and her servants collectively. Sir Karl's answer was a hasty one.
"That was not my doing. The coming to the Maze was the greatest mistake ever made. I was powerless to help it."
Again she believed she understood. That when Sir Karl had wished to shake off certain trammels, he found himself not his own master in the matter, and could not.
"And so you submitted?" she scornfully said.
"I had no other choice, Lucy."
"And you pay your visits there!"
"Occasionally. I cannot do otherwise."