But after Claudine had come in, and Lucia had been obliged to go away "on hospitable cares intent," to arrange with her some little addition to the dinner which Maurice was to share with them, the newcomer took advantage of her absence, and resolved to get as many as possible of his difficulties over at once.

He had not yet quite forgiven his faithless ally, and he meant to make a new treaty, now that he was on the spot to see it carried out.
"I am afraid," he began, "that my coming so unexpectedly must have startled you a little, but I thought it was best not to write." Mrs.Costello could not help smiling--she was quite conscious of her tactics having been surpassed by Maurice's.
"I am glad to see you, at any rate," she said, "now you _are_ here; but" she added seriously, "you must not forget, nor try to tempt me to forget, that we are all changed since we met last." "I do not wish it.

I don't wish to forget anything that is true and real, and I wish to remind you that when I left Canada I did so with a promise--an implied promise at any rate--from you, which has not been kept." "Maurice! Have you a right to speak to me so ?" "I think I have.

Dear Mrs.Costello, have some consideration for me.
Was it right when I was kept a fast prisoner by my poor grandfather's sick-bed, when I was trusting to you, and doing all I could to make you to trust me--was it fair to break faith with me, and try to deprive me of all the hopes I had in the world?
Just think of it--was it fair ?" "I broke no faith with you.

I felt that I had let you pledge yourself in the dark; that in my care for Lucia, and confidence in you, I had to some extent bound you to a discreditable engagement.