"To me."
"Yes, to you, Herbert."
He bent his brow upon her. "I suppose if I had devoted myself to some other woman I might not have lost you. I had hints enough from our kind friends, which I ignored because I did not choose to soil our wedlock by such a foul pretense." His conclusion betrayed the loyalty of his emotions, but there was the sneer of gathering temper in his tone.
Lydia shook her head with a fastidious smile. "With some women that might have been the remedy. It could have made no difference with me."
"It is not too late yet," he cried with loud-mouthed menace. "You forget that I am human—that I am a man."
She raised the pages of a book beside her and let them fall gradually. "You must do as you choose about that."
"Then what is the remedy?" he shouted.
"I used an inappropriate word. There is no remedy in our case."
"Lydia, you are goading me to ruin."