I've lived alone, alone, alone all these years, and I couldn't bear it." "Do you care for him so very much ?" She withdrew her hands and moved slightly.

"Who else in the wide world have I to care for ?" This was very pathetic, but I had the sense to remark that compromising the boy's future was not the best way of showing her devotion.
"Oh, how could I do that ?" she asked.

"I can't marry him.

And if I do what I've never done before for any man--become his mistress--who need know?
I could stay in the background." "You seem to forget, dear lady," said I, "that Captain Vauvenarde is probably alive." "But I tell you I've lost sight of him altogether." "Are you quite so sure," I asked, regaining my sanity by degrees, "that Captain Vauvenarde has lost sight of you ?" She turned quickly.

"What do you mean ?" "You have given him no chance as yet of recovering his freedom." She passed her hand over her face, and sat down on the sofa.