"I guessed your difficulty.

Surely you must see the only conceivable inference ?" "I did see it." "And, seeing, do you not forgive ?" "Yes, that.

But you married me while you still thought me guilty.

I forgive you for denying it at the time.

I suppose that was necessary.
But you have not yet told me why you did it." "Honestly, Rachel, it was largely fascination--" "But not primarily." "No." "Then let me hear the prime motive at last, for I am tired of trying to guess it!" Steel stood before his wife as he had never stood before her yet, his white head bowed, his dark eyes lowered, hands clasped, shoulders bent, the suppliant and the penitent in one.
"I did it to punish you," he said.