You, even the you of seven years back, would not have lived in any country town if necessity, or let us say, safety, had not demanded it.

You, with your looks and your ambitions,--to marry at twenty-five a girl from the kitchen! any girl, even if she had the making of an Olympia Packard, if you did not know that it was in your power to shake her off when you got ready to assert yourself, or better prospects offered?
The cipher and the desirability you expressed of a means of communication unreadable save by you two,--all this was enough to start the suspicion; your own manner has done the rest.

Mr.Steele, you are both a villain and a bastard, and have no right in law to this woman.

Contradict me if you dare." "I dare, but will not," was the violent reply.

"I shall not give you even that satisfaction.