There was no other solution--this Count Sykypri had been her lover when she was a mere child, and probably the concealment had gone through all her first married life.

And no doubt her reason for marrying him, which she admitted was a very strong one, had been that she might have money to give to the child--and its father.
The sickening--sickening, squalid tragedy of it all! And she, Zara, had seemed so proud and so pure! Her look of scorn, only the night before, at his jealous accusation, came back to him.

He could not remember a single movement nor action of hers that had not been that of an untarnished queen.

What horrible actresses women were! His whole belief had crumbled to the dust.
And the most terrible part of it all to him was the knowledge that in spite of everything he still loved her--loved her with a consuming, almighty passion that he knew nothing now could kill.

It had been put to the bitterest proof.