He thought to compel her into shrinking contempt.

Yet his face blanched somewhat, and though he steadily kept the pipe between his teeth, and smoked with studied unconcern, his lips twitched a little.
And he dared not look at her, for the girl's wondering eyes were fixed upon him, and the blush had disappeared as quickly as it came.
"I remember something of this," she said slowly, never once averting her gaze.

"There was some gossip concerning it when I first came to Hong Kong.

You are Captain Robert Anstruther ?" "I am." "And you publicly thrashed Lord Ventnor as the result of a quarrel about a woman ?" "Your recollection is quite accurate." "Who was to blame ?" "The lady said that I was." "Was it true ?" Robert Anstruther, late captain of Bengal Cavalry, rose to his feet.

He preferred to take his punishment standing.
"The court-martial agreed with her, Miss Deane, and I am a prejudiced witness," he replied.
"Who was the--lady ?" "The wife of my colonel, Mrs.Costobell." "Oh!" Long afterwards he remembered the agony of that moment, and winced even at the remembrance.