I shall have no fear of losing you then, Countess.

I go to bring Luke Hatton to you." And without waiting for her reply he strode out of the room.

Lady Exeter would have arrested him, but she had not the nerve to do so, and with an exclamation of anguish she fell back in her chair.
"What dominion sin has usurped over me!" she mentally ejaculated.

"I have lost the power of resisting its further encroachment.

I see the enormity of the offence I am about to commit, and though my soul revolts at it, I cannot hold back.