"She has been a music-hall actress," he said.
"Her name is--or was--Madelina Belleville.

Do you tell me that you have never had any dealings whatever with her ?" Dacre laughed again fiercely, scoffingly.

"You don't imagine that I would marry a woman of that sort, do you ?" he said.
"That is no answer to my question," Monck said firmly.
"Confound you!" Dacre blazed into open wrath.

"Who the devil are you to enquire into my private affairs?
Do you think I am going to put up with your damned impertinence?
What ?" "I think you will have to." Monck spoke quitely, but there was deadly determination in his words.

"It's a choice of evils, and if you are wise you will choose the least.