The past faded in comparison with her; in his heart he doubted of its power.
Beatrice was gazing at him in resentful wonder.
'Why have you done this ?' she asked.

'Why did you come to me and speak those words?
What necessity was there to pretend what you did not feel ?' He met her eyes.
'I have not spoken falsely to you,' he said, with calmness which did not strengthen the impression his words were meant to convey.
'When you said that you loved me?
If it were true, you could not have borne to have those letters under your eyes.

You say you had no right to destroy them.

You knew that it was your duty to do so.

_Could_ you have kept them ?' Wilfrid had become almost absent-minded.