She stopped me with a gesture of her hand. “How should you judge, sir, of a woman’s responsibilities or errors?”
“True, madam,” I replied with a sigh, “for I have known so few.”
“But have you no relatives, Mr. Cassilis?” she said slowly. “Is there no sister or one more dear to you that looks to you for protection?”
“None, my lady,” I answered sadly. “A sister, indeed I had, but——” I stopped, overcome by old memories.
“She is dead?” my lady said gently.
“Aye, madam,” I replied. “She was murdered! Nay, nay, do not mistake my meaning. But—well, she was beautiful, madam, and was much courted on that account. Amongst the suitors for her hand was one—a favourite of the late King Charles—a profligate—devoid as much of all moral worth and honour as was his dissolute master. Yet to this man, with a woman’s perversity, she gave the preference. Madam,” I continued in a low voice, “You will readily guess the sequel. They were married, contrary to all warning and advice. And the result, which all had foreseen, speedily followed. Within two months the libertine had wearied of his toy and of the restraints of wedlock. In a year she was dead, killed as surely by the man’s brutal neglect as if he had run his rapier through her gentle heart.”
I stopped, overcome by the emotion that my words had recalled to me, and stood staring at my lady, whose head was slightly bent, and whose long lashes swept her cheek.
Suddenly she gave a fleeting upward glance. “Forgive me,” she said gently. “I did not know.”
“There is nothing to forgive,” I answered quietly. “Rather should I crave your pardon, my lady, for intruding so sad a story upon you. It is one ill suited for a lady’s ears. I know not why I have told you.” And I turned from her and gazed out into the night with eyes that saw not the moonlit gardens before me, but only the sorrowful, girlish face of one who had loved me well. I started when my lady’s next words brought me to earth again. For the moment I had forgotten her presence in the room.
“And this man, sir,” she said slowly, “what of him?”