"All this I had understood when first I sought you out," said he.

"Yet your lordship did not seem to realize it quite so keenly.

Is it that Atterbury and his friends-- ?" "No, no," Ostermore broke in.

"Look'ee! I will be frank--quite frank and open with you, Mr.Caryll.Things were bad when first you came to me.

Yet not so bad that I was driven to a choice of evils.