"In any case I certainly sha'n't do that."
"Then I'll give myself up. I--I daresay that I--I sha'n't be so very much afraid when I--I've quite made up my mind I ought to."
"You'll do nothing of the kind, if I can help it."
"If you can help it?--why, would you try to stop me?"
"I shouldn't only try. Let me disabuse your mind on one point; putting casuistry on one side, you're no more to blame for what took place than I am."
"Your being so sure. You weren't sure just now; you were anything but sure. I wonder if, for some cause, you want me to believe that I am better than you believe I am."
"Nothing of the kind. However, I don't want to discuss the matter with you. I am going immediately to tell you what I do propose to do. But, before I get to that, there is one question which I should like to put to you, in order that we may know exactly where we are. You saw the man who made use of that champagne bottle? You had a distinct view of him?"
"Did he remind you of anyone you had seen before? Think!"
"I am thinking; but--I can think of no one. Why are you asking me these questions? Do you--do you know him? And--are you thinking of giving him up to the police? If you are--if you are, nothing will make me say that I ever saw him before--nothing!--nothing! He sha'n't come to harm because of me!"
"I'm not a child--and anyhow I'm not yours!--nor am I dear! Are you--are you daring to think of playing the traitor?--of taking advantage of what I've told you to--to get him punished? Are you?"
"I am doing nothing of the kind--how you do jump to conclusions! I don't know the man from Adam. Why do you credit me with such sinister intentions?"
"Why did you ask me those questions--like that?"
"I've half a mind to tell you; then perhaps we shall begin to understand each other."
"Perhaps it is just as well that we shouldn't understand each other; but you will please to tell me."
"Miss Gilbert, you're a young lady with a temper."
"If you wish to speak to me like that----"
She half rose from the ground; he checked her.
"I don't--pray stay where you are! What times you and Frances Vernon must have had together!"
"Nothing--I suppose you must have had a good time with her in the convent, if she was such a friend of yours."