'Well, you know her answer; it was not lightly given, nor in haste, and
first and last 'twas quite decided, and I sent it to you under my own
hand.'
'I thought you were a friend to me, Dr. Walsingham, and now I'm sure
you're none,' said the young fellow, in the same bitter tone.
'Ah, Captain Devereux, he can be no friend to you who is a friend to
your faults; and you no friend to yourself if you be an enemy to him
that would tell you of them. Will you like him the worse that would have
you better?'
'We've _all_ faults, Sir; mine are not the worst, and I'll have neither
shrift nor absolution. There's some reason here you won't disclose.'
He was proud, fierce, pale, and looked damnably handsome and wicked.
'She gave _no_ reason, Sir;' answered Dr. Walsingham. No, she gave
none; but, as I understood, she did not love you, and she prayed me to
mention it no more.'
'She gave no reason; but you _know_ the reason,' glared out Devereux.
'Indeed, Sir, I do _not_ know the reason,' answered the rector.
'But you know--you _must_--you _meant_--_you_, at least had heard some
ill of me, and you no longer wish my suit to prosper.
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