'I mean that I care more for his little finger than for the whole world. I love him with all my heart. And that's why he can't be guilty of this horrible thing, because I've loved him for years, and he's known it. And he loves me, and he's loved me always.'
She sank exhausted into a chair, gasping for breath. Boulger looked at her for a moment, and he turned sick with anguish. What he had only suspected before, he knew now from her own lips; and it was harder than ever to bear. Now everything seemed ended.
'Are you going to marry him?' he asked.
'Yes.'
'In spite of everything?'
'In spite of everything,' she answered defiantly.
Bobbie choked down the groan of despairing rage that forced its way to his throat. He watched her for a moment.
'Good God,' he said at last, 'what is there in the man that he should have made you forget love and honour and common decency!'
Lucy made no reply. But she buried her face in her hands and wept. She rocked to and fro with the violence of her tears.
Without another word Bobbie turned round and left them. Lady Kelsey heard the door slam as he went out into the silent street.