All this she might have been but for her revenge.

She had forfeited it all now.
Her life would be spent as though he did not exist; and there was no one but herself to blame.
Still she had had her revenge; she smiled bitterly to herself as she thought of that.

She had punished him.

The beautiful face grew pale, and the dark eyes shone through a mist of tears.
"I am not hardened enough," she said to herself, mockingly, "to be quite happy over an evil deed.

I want something more of wickedness in my composition." She parried skillfully all Lady Peters' questions; she professed entire ignorance of all that had happened.