“Why should you not suspect me!” exclaimed De Burgh, harshly.  “Did you suppose me above or below other men?”

“Ah! poor Rachel! what a flood of unspeakable bitterness must have overwhelmed her, to find you here!”

De Burgh paced to and fro, bewildered, furious, not knowing how to defend himself or what to say.

“I am the most unfortunate devil that ever breathed!” he exclaimed at last, pausing beside the table and resting one hand on it.  “Look here, Katherine, how can a girl like you—­for, in spite of your mature airs, you are a mere girl—­how can you judge the—­the temptations and ways of a world of which you know nothing?”

“Temptations!” she murmured; “did Rachel ask you to take her to live with you?”

“No, of course not,” angrily, “she is rather a superior creature, I admit; but I deny that I ever deceived or deserted her!  She was perfectly aware I never Intended to marry her, and I was awfully put out when she disappeared.  I did my best to find her.  But the fact is, when she did not reappear, I not unnaturally supposed she had gone off with some other man.”

Katherine looked upon him suddenly with such tragic, horrified eyes that De Burgh was startled; then she slightly raised her hands with an expressive gesture, again covering her face.

“Yes, yes,” De Burgh went on, impatiently, “I see you think me a brute for suspecting her capable of such a thing, but how was I to know she was different from others?  It is too infernally provoking that such an affair should came to your notice!  You are quite unable to judge fairly;” and he resumed his agitated walk.  “I swear I am no worse than my neighbors.  Ask any woman of the world, ask Mrs. Needham—­they will tell you I am not an unpardonable sinner!  I will do anything on earth for Rachel that you think right.  Just remember her position and mine, it was not as if—­It is impossible to explain to you, but there was no reason, had she been a little sensible, why such an episode should have spoiled her life!  Lots of women—­” he stopped, and with a muttered curse paused opposite her.

“And could you have been her companion so long, without perceiving the strength and pride and tenderness of the woman who gave up all hoping to keep the love you no doubt ardently expressed?  Ah! if you could have seen her as she was when I found her!”

“How was I to know she was staking her gold against my counters?” returned De Burgh, obstinately, though a dark flush passed over his face at Katherine’s words.

“Lord de Burgh!  I did not think you could be so cruel,” cried Katherine, rising.  “I will not speak to you any longer.”

“Cruel!” he exclaimed, placing himself between her and the door.  “How can I be just or generous, when this most unfortunate encounter has put me in such a hopeless position?  Katherine, will you let this miserable mistake of the past rob me of my best hopes, my most ardently cherished desires——­”