But deepest of all went now the burning iron of that disgrace.
For my companion's silence seemed to argue that had she known my quality she would have scorned the aid of which she had availed herself to such good purpose.

If any doubt of this had mercifully remained me, her next words would have served to have resolved it.

It was when the lights of Fano gleamed ahead; we were coming to a cross-roads, and I urged the turning to the left.
"But Fano is in front," she remonstrated coldly.
"This way we can avoid the town and gain the Pesaro road beyond it," answered I, my tone as cool as hers.
"Yet may it not be that at Fano I might find an escort ?" I could have cried out at her cruelty, for in her words I could but read my dismissal from her service.

There had been no more talk of an escort other than that which I afforded, and with which at first she had been well content.
I sat my mule in silence for a moment.

She had been very justly served had I been the vassal that she deemed me, and had I borne myself in that character without consideration of her sex, her station or her years.
She had been very justly served had I wheeled about and left her there to make her way to Fano, and thence to Pesaro, as best she might.