He would have thought it utterly impossible for Miss Madden to disgrace herself in this vulgar way, and the appalling discovery affected his view of Monica.

They were sisters; they had characteristics in common, family traits, weaknesses.

If the elder woman could fall into this degradation, might there not be possibilities in Monica's character such as he had refused to contemplate?
Was there not terrible reason for mistrusting her?
What did she mean by her message to Virginia.
Black and haggard, he went home as fast as a hansom could take him.

It was half-past five when he reached the house.

His wife was not here, and had not been here.
At this Moment Monica was starting by train from Bayswater, after her parting with Bevis.