It cost him an extraordinary effort, for in a double sense he was shamed before the woman.

Mrs Handover, by virtue of her sex, instinctively triumphed over him.

He saw in her foolish eyes the eternal feminine victory; his head was bowed before her slatternly womanhood.

Then again, he shrank from announcing to the poor creature that she could no longer draw upon him for her livelihood.
'I'm very sorry, Mr.Rolfe,' she began, in her most despondent voice.
'That is, of course, I'm very glad you're going to be married, and I'm sure I wish you every happiness--I do indeed.

But we are sorry to lose you--indeed we are.' Of her sincerity herein there could be no sort of doubt.