She could not tell how he was fighting with himself, fiercely beating down the inner barriers of self-love, sternly determined, once and for all, to reveal himself in such light to this beautiful and bewitching woman that in future she would learn to regard him only as an outcast whose company she must perforce tolerate until relief came.
"It affected me because the sudden mention of his name recalled my own disgrace.

I quitted the army six months ago, Miss Deane, under very painful circumstances.

A general court-martial found me guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.

I was not even given a chance to resign.

I was cashiered." He pretended to speak with cool truculence.