"What did he say ?" Stella only repeated what he had said before she rose and left him.
"What is there in Mr.Romayne's life," she asked, "which made him say that he would be selfish and cruel if he expected a woman to marry him?
It must be something more than mere illness.

If he had committed a crime he could not have spoken more strongly.

Do you know what it is ?" Lady Loring looked uneasy.

"I promised my husband to keep it a secret from everybody," she said.
"It is nothing degrading, Adelaide--I am sure of that." "And you are right, my dear.

I can understand that he has surprised and disappointed you; but, if you knew his motives--" she stopped and looked earnestly at Stella.