She had limited her patience to a fortnight, and one day of that fortnight had already passed.
"I have in my arrogant manhood sometimes credited myself with the possession of a mind of more or less superiority; but I have never deceived myself as to the meretricious quality of the goodness with which many have thoughtlessly endowed me.

I have always known it was not even up to that of men whose standards fall far short of the highest integrity.

But never, till that hour came, had I realized to what depths of evil my nature could sink under a disappointment threatening the fulfillment of my ambitious projects.

Had there been any prospect of escape from the impending scandal by means usually employed by men in my position, I might have given my thoughts less rein and been saved at least from crime.

But these were not available in my case.