‘You do not believe that.’

’You see I had your welfare to look after; and the baser your conduct had been to me, the truer you were in her eyes.  Do I not deserve some thanks for what I did?  Surely you would not have had me tell her that your conduct to me had been that of a loyal, loving gentleman.  I confessed to her my utter despair;—­I abased myself in the dust, as a woman is abased who has been treacherously ill-used, and has failed to avenge herself.  I knew that when she was sure that I was prostrate and hopeless she would be triumphant and contented.  I told her on your behalf how I had been ground to pieces under your chariot wheels.  And now you have not a word of thanks to...