Her eyes filled with tears.
"Come to what?" he thundered.
"My ruin—and your disgrace!"
His breast heaved.
"Of you I know nothing. As for myself—I suffer no disgrace. I am too much a man of sense for that. Not a soul but thinks that you are absent with my consent. A pilgrimage to Rome! Many a woman has, for her soul's good gone alone. Not a soul, I warrant, has thought of your connection with that fellow's plight. Not a soul but thinks that this is the sole cause of your disappearance. And when I, too, went I was careful to leave the rumor behind."
He stepped closer, his breath fanning her pale cheeks. She looked almost like a ghost in the grey twilight.
"And now—" he continued, licking his sensuous lips, "you are found—you are found—my beautiful wife—you are found—and—to the eyes of the world at least—unstained. One alone whose lips are sealed, knows."
Hellayne's lips tightened.
"And a woman."
A strange expression came into his face.