What is your true reason for making a scrap-heap of your career ?" "Are you my friend," Mannering asked, quietly, "that you wish to pry behind the curtain of my life?
If I have other reasons they concern myself alone." Borrowdean shook his head.

He had scored, but he took care to show no sign of triumph.
"The issue is too great," he said, "to be tried by the ordinary rules which govern social life.

Will you presume that I am your friend, and let us consider the whole matter afresh together ?" "I will not," Mannering answered.

"But I will do this.

I will answer your question.