To-day I tell you that I have a portion you would never endure to receive with your wife, and which no man shall receive with me--disgrace." She covered her face with her hands as she said the last word, and he could see nevertheless how the hot flush of shame rose to her forehead.
He started, and involuntarily moved a step away from her.

She was conscious of the movement, and raised her head proudly.
"How or in what way I should disgrace you," she went on, "I need not tell you--it is enough that you are satisfied that there is a bar between us." But he had recovered from his first surprise, and was in no mood to be so easily satisfied.
"You are mistaken," he said.

"Disgrace is a terrible word; but how do I know that you are not frightening yourself and me with a shadow?
Be reasonable, Lucia; you are suffering, I can see.

Put aside this manner, which is so unlike yourself, and tell me what troubles you, and let me judge." "Oh, if I could!" she cried, with a passionate longing breaking through all her self-restraint.

She was trembling with excitement and the strain upon her nerves; and as she felt his arm put round her, it seemed for one second incredible that she must put its support away from her for ever.