There was still a lurking suspicion in her mind, though she would not admit it to herself, that Captain Wybrow had told her a falsehood about his conduct and feelings towards Caterina.

It was this suspicion, more even than the anger of the moment, which urged her to say something that would test the truth of his statement.

That she would be humiliating Caterina at the same time, was only an additional temptation.
'These are things I do not like to talk of, Miss Sarti.

I cannot even understand how a woman can indulge a passion for a man who has never given her the least ground for it, as Captain Wybrow assures me is the case.' 'He told you that, did he ?' said Caterina, in clear low tones, her lips turning white as she rose from her chair.
'Yes, indeed, he did.

He was bound to tell it me after your strange behaviour.' Caterina said nothing, but turned round suddenly and left the room.
See how she rushes noiselessly, like a pale meteor, along the passages and up the gallery stairs! Those gleaming eyes, those bloodless lips, that swift silent tread, make her look like the incarnation of a fierce purpose, rather than a woman.