He shook his head. And now his manner lost that affected calmness which had been so cruelly wounding. He could not now attempt to hide the pain that he was suffering. His voice trembled a little with his great emotion.
'I loved you far too much to do that. Believe me, with all my heart I wish you well. Now that the first bitterness is past I see that you did the only possible thing. I hope that you'll be very happy. Robert Boulger is an excellent fellow, and I'm sure he'll make you a much better husband than I should ever have done.'
Lucy blushed to the roots of her hair. Her heart sank, and she did not seek to conceal her agitation.
'Did they tell you I was going to marry Robert Boulger?'
'Isn't it true?'
'Oh, how cruel of them, how frightfully cruel! I became engaged to him, but he gave me my release. He knew that notwithstanding everything, I loved you better than my life.'
Alec looked down, but he did not say anything. He did not move.
'Oh, Alec, don't be utterly pitiless,' she wailed. 'Don't leave me without a single word of kindness.'
'Nothing is changed, Lucy. You sent me away because I caused your brother's death.'
She stood before him, her hands behind her back, and they looked into one another's eyes. Her words were steady and quiet. It seemed to give her an infinite relief to say them.