Her sincerity was so obvious that the earl could no longer meet it with sarcasm. And you had so little regard for me that you waited until the eve of what was to be our marriage, and then, laughing at my shame, ran off to marry him. I had no thought but of returning to you, nor he of keeping me from you. I-I love him so much. These words told him that, if love commands, home, the friendships of a life-time, kindnesses incalculable, are at once as nought.
Nothing is so cruel as love if a rival challenges it to combat.
I have done so much for you. It was little he had done for her that was not selfish. Men are deceived curiously in such matters. Babbie, however, was in no mood to make light of the earl's gifts, and at his question she shook her head sorrowfully. This was the only time he ever spoke of his age to her.