Why should Norman, like a dog in the manger, begrudge to his friend the fodder which he himself could not enjoy?
To him, at any rate, Alaric had in this been no traitor.

'Twas thus at least that Gertrude argued in her heart, and 'twas thus that Mrs.Woodward tried to argue also.
But who could excuse Alaric's falseness to Linda?
And yet Linda had forgiven him..