Nothing could come now of going to her and reproaching her--only a public scandal and disgrace.

No, he must play his part until he could consult with Francis Markrute, learn all the truth, and then concoct some plan.
Out of all the awful ruin of his life he could at least save his name.
And after some concentrated moments of agony he mastered himself at last sufficiently to go to his room and dress for dinner.
But Count Mimo Sykypri would get no telegram that night! The idea that there could be any scandalous interpretations put upon any of her actions or words never even entered Zara's brain; so innocently unconscious was she of herself and her doings that that possible aspect of the case never struck her.

She was the last type of person to make a mystery or in any way play a part.

The small subtly-created situations and hidden darknesses and mysterious appearances which delighted the puny soul of Laura Highford were miles beneath her feet.

If she had even faintly dreamed that some doubts were troubling Tristram she would have plainly told him the whole story and chanced her uncle's wrath.