"Never mind what I possess," he said, irritated. "What sort of advice do you expect?"
"Why, moral advice, of course."
"Oh! Are you on the verge of demoralisation?"
"I don't know. Am I?... There is a man——"
"Of course," he said, coming as near a sneer as he was capable. "I know what you've done. You've nearly twisted poor Grandcourt's head off his honest neck. If you want to know what I think of it, it's an abominable thing to do. Why, anybody can see that the man is in love with you, and desperately unhappy already, I told you to let him alone. You promised, too."
He spoke rapidly, sharply; she bent her fair head in silence until he ended.
"May I defend myself?" she asked.
"Of course."
"Then—I did not mean to make him care for me."
"You all say that."