“What on earth d’you mean?”
She disengaged herself roughly from his arms and stepped back. Her face, without powder or rouge, was ashen gray, and in her eyes was a look of panic fear.
“I can’t allow that creature to live in the same place as you. Because you’re a virtuous and a good woman, it’s my duty to protect you from all contact with evil. It horrifies me to think that you may meet her on your walks—her and her child.”
Mrs. Castillyon’s cheeks flamed with red, and there was such a catching at her throat that she put her hand to it.
“But I tell you, Paul, that compared with me that woman is innocent and virtuous.”
“Nonsense, my dear,” he laughed.
“Paul, I’m not what you think. That woman sinned because she was ignorant and unhappy, but I knew what I was doing. I had everything I wanted, and I had your love; there were no excuses for me. I was nothing better than a wanton.”
“Don’t be absurd, Grace! How can you talk such rubbish?”
“Paul, I’m talking perfectly seriously. I’ve not been a good wife to you. I’m very sorry. It’s best that you should know.”
He stared at her incredulously.