"
He threw back his lofty head in anger or disdain.
"I will not accept groundless compassion, even from you. Do not deceive
yourself. I have learned how to bear my burden; it scarcely cumbers me
now. It has fretted me more in the last three weeks than it has done for
years. I only wish you to decide whether I did very wrong in keeping
back the knowledge of all this from you; and, if I have offended
unpardonably, what my punishment shall be."
There was something more than reproach in the glance that flashed upon
him out of the violet eyes; for an instant they glittered almost
scornfully; her lip, too, had ceased to tremble, and the silver in her
voice rang clear and true--
"You are not afraid to ask that question--remembering many words
addressed to me, each one of which was an insult--from you? You dare not
yet dishonor me in your thoughts so far as to doubt how I should have
acted _at first_, if I had known your true position. Or are you amusing
yourself still at my expense? I had thought you more generous."
The gloom on Royston's face deepened sullenly: though he had schooled
himself up to a certain point of humility, even from her he could ill
brook reproof.
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