'Why? Because they're true? I like to tell the truth. I have always loved you, and I always shall, though I shall never be your wife.'
'I thought you said you were engaged to Dumville.'
'So I am. And I daresay that perhaps one day I shall marry him. I don't know quite why. But it certainly isn't because I love him. I have never pretended to. Ask him; he's frankness itself; he'll confess. Although, as you have only told me, I am a woman with ill-regulated passions and irresponsible tendencies, I'm a woman with only one love in her life, and you are he. Good-night, and good-bye.'
Now that she had formally dismissed him he felt that it was difficult to go. He fidgeted instead.
'I know you think that I have behaved meanly.'
'Not at all. I suppose you have acted according to your lights.'
'I'm not so sure of that. But, the truth is, I was desperate.'
'Indeed? Is that so? Like the man with the twelve starving children, who steals the bottle of whisky. I know. If I were you I wouldn't trouble to explain. This sort of situation is not improved by explanation. I think you had better pocket your booty and go.'
'As for the ruby'--he was holding it out on the palm of his open hand--'I will give you another for it a dozen times as good as this.'
For the first time she fired up.