But for this unjust, vulgar, and degrading interpretation of his own act of expiation, he was totally unprepared.

It completely crushed whatever sentiment remained of that act in the horrible irony of finding himself put upon his defence before the world, without being able now to offer the real cause.

The anguish of that night had gone forever; but the ridiculous interpretation of it had survived, and would survive it.

In the eyes of the man before him he was not a wronged husband, but an absconding petty defaulter, whom he had just detected! His mind was quickly made up.

In that instant he had resolved upon a step as fateful as his former one, and a fitting climax to its results.
For five years he had clearly misunderstood his attitude towards his treacherous wife and perjured friend.