"Oh, I feared that I had sapped, perhaps, your faith in women, John."
I forced a laugh: "Why, Claudia? Because I lately—and vainly—was enamoured of you?"
"Lately?"
"Yes. I did love you, once."
"Did love?" she breathed. "Do you not love me any more, Jack?"
"I think not," said I, very cheerfully.
"And why? Sure I used you kindly, Jack. Did I not so?"
"You conducted as is the privilege of maid with man, Sacharissa," said I uneasily. "And that is all I have to say."
"How so did I conduct, Jack?"
"Sweetly—to my undoing."