Such I doubt not has been your way from the commencement, and 'tis thus that you are come to this condition." Again he laughed, but this time it was in bitterness.
"Nay, sweet mistress, you are wrong--you are very wrong; it was not always thus.

Time was--" He paused.

"Bah! 'Tis the coward cries "time was"! Leave me the past, Cynthia.

It is dead, and of the dead we should speak no ill," he jested.
"What is there in your past ?" she insisted, despite his words.

"What is there in it so to have warped a character that I am assured was once--is, indeed, still--of lofty and noble purpose?
What is it has brought you to the level you occupy--you who were born to lead; you who--" "Have done, child.