“I would not scruple to do anything that would lead to a better understanding of the marvel that makes a well-bred, honorable woman do things which she is ashamed of, and that she does not dare to mention to her family and friends,” retorted Gerard boldly. She stared at him, with her lips parted, her eyes very wide open, her breast heaving. Both were in terrible earnest. “You talk nonsense,” she said at last sharply. “All your listening and spying only result in your learning half the truth; and if you were wise, not to say chivalrous, you would take it for granted that you were mistaken in your evil thoughts of me, and that there is just something to be learned which I do not choose to tell you, and which you have no possible right to know.” He looked at her steadily. “I wish I could believe you,” he said. “I wish to Heaven I could. But it’s impossible to credit that you, a young girl, should have secrets from all your friends and relations in which there is no harm.” She faltered and her eyes fell under his gaze. “Harm!” she echoed, in a hoarse voice. “There are different degrees of harm. What one person thinks justifiable may shock and disgust another person. If your ideas of what is right are so very lofty, you have no right to take for granted that mine, which may be rather lower, are degrading and wholly unjustifiable.” “I take nothing for granted. I only see that you are miserable and unhappy, and that you are so because you are acting against your conscience at the bidding of a person whom you fear and whose influence you know to be bad,” retorted Gerard. She made an impatient movement. “Why begin the old arguments all over again?” she said shortly. “Why don’t you see for yourself that I have willingly and with open eyes adopted a certain course, and why don’t you leave me alone to endure the punishment if I have done wrong, or to receive the reward if I have done right? Believe me, you are only harassing me, adding to my troubles and embarrassments by your persistent persecution. Nothing will turn me from the course I have entered upon, about which I will only say this, that I entered upon it of my own free will, with entire knowledge of its promises and possible rewards, and of its disadvantages as well.”