"I don't judge your motives," Mrs. Bowen began. She added suddenly, as if by an after-thought, "I don't think you had any."

"I'm obliged to you."

"But you are as much to blame as if you had."

"And perhaps I'm as much to blame as if I had really wronged somebody?"

"Yes."

"It's rather paradoxical. You don't wish me to see her any more?"

"I haven't any wish about it; you must not say that I have," said Mrs. Bowen, with dignity.

Colville smiled. "May I ask if you have?"

"Not for myself."

"You put me on very short allowance of conjecture."