She knew herself true.
But from Elsie's point of view?
Had she in truth sacrificed an ignorant child to her impetuous wish for Arthur's happiness, a too scrupulous care for her own peace?
How 'sacrifice'?
She had given the child her heart's desire.

Arthur was not in love; but Elsie Bligh would have accepted him as a husband on any terms.

Tenderly, in good faith, trusting to the girl's beauty, and Arthur's rich and loving nature, Eugenie had joined their hands.
Was that in reality her offence?
In spite of all the delicacy with which it had been done, had the girl's passion guessed the truth?
And having guessed it, had she then failed--and failed consciously--to make the gift her own?
Eugenie had watched--often with a sinking spirit--the development of a nature, masked by youth and happiness, but essentially narrow and poor, full of mean ambitions and small antipathies.

Arthur had played his part bravely, with all the chivalry and the conscience that might have been expected of him.

And there had been moments--intervals--of apparent happiness, when Eugenie's own conscience had been laid to sleep.
Was there anything she might have done for those two people, that she had not done?
And Elsie had seemed--she sadly remembered--to love her, to trust her--till this tragic breakdown.