With all his follies, Val Elster could not remember to have committed an evil act in all his life, save one.

And that one he had still the pleasure of paying for pretty deeply.
"Dawkes knows nothing of my affairs except from hearsay, Edward.

I was once intimate with the man; but he served me a shabby trick, and that ended the friendship.

I don't like him." "I dare say what he said was not true," said Lord Hartledon kindly.

"You might as well make a confidant of me.