‘That all intercourse with Colonel Osborne shall be at an end.’

’I will make no promise.  You come to me to add one insult to another.  Had you been a man, you would not have named him to me after what you have done to me.’

’That is absurd.  I have a right to demand from you such a pledge.  I am willing to believe that you have not—­’

‘Have not what?’

‘That you have not utterly disgraced me.’

‘God in heaven, that I should hear this!’ she exclaimed.  ’Louis Trevelyan, I have not disgraced you at all in thought, in word, in deed, in look, or in gesture.  It is you that have disgraced yourself, and ruined me, and degraded even your own child.’

‘Is this the way in which you welcome me?’

’Certainly it is in this way and in no other if you speak to me of what is past, without acknowledging your error.’  Her brow became blacker and blacker as she continued to speak to him.  ’It would be best that nothing should be said, not a word.  That it all should be regarded as an ugly dream.  But, when you come to me and at once go back to it all, and ask me for a promise’

’Am I to understand then that all idea of submission to your husband is to be at an end?’

’I will submit to no imputation on my honour even from you.  One would have thought that it would have been for you to preserve it untarnished.’

‘And you will give me no assurance as to your future life?’

’None, certainly none.  If you want promises from me, there can be no hope for the future.  What am I to promise?  That I will not have a lover?  What respect can I enjoy as your wife if such a promise be needed?  If you should choose to fancy that it had been broken you would set your policeman to watch me again!  Louis, we can never live together again, ever, with comfort, unless you acknowledge in your own heart that you have used me shamefully.’

‘Were you right to see him in Devonshire?’

‘Of course I was right.  Why should I not see him or any one?’

‘And you will see him again?’

‘When papa comes, of course I shall see him.’

‘Then it is hopeless,’ said he, turning away from her.

‘If that man is to be a source of disquiet to you, it is hopeless,’ she answered.  ’If you cannot so school yourself that he shall be the same to you as other men, it is quite hopeless.  You must still be mad as you have been mad hitherto.’

He walked about the room restlessly for a time, while she stood with assumed composure near the window.’send me my child,’ he said at last.

’He shall come to you, Louis for a little; but he is not to be taken out from hence.  Is that a promise?’

’You are to exact promises from me, where my own rights are concerned, while you refuse to give me any, though I am entitled to demand them!  I order you to send the boy to me.  Is he not my own?’

‘Is he not mine too?  And is he not all that you have left to me?’