"Selfish! Is it selfish to hold honour dear?
Is it selfish to be ashamed to deceive the woman one loves?
Have I, who have so striven in all things to put her welfare first, been selfish towards my wife in this hour of crisis ?" He sat down, heavily; leaned his elbows on his knees, and dropped his head into his hands.
This attitude of utter dejection filled the Bishop with thankfulness.
Was he, in the very moment when he had given up all hope of winning, about to prove the victor?
"Perilously selfish, my dear Hugh," he said.

"But, thank Heaven, no harm has yet been done.

Listen to me and I will shew you how you may keep your honour safely untarnished, yet withhold from Mora all knowledge which might cause her disquietude of mind, thus securing her happiness and your own.".