Across this patch of light fluttered
a gorgeous butterfly, that was like black and scarlet velvet and
large as a man's hand. His lordship's brooding eyes followed it
out of sight before he answered.
"It is not easy. Stab me, it is not. He was a man who deserved
well. And amongst us we have marred his chances: your uncle, because
he could not forget his rancour; you, because... because having told
him that in the King's service he would find his redemption of what
was past, you would not afterwards admit to him that he was so
redeemed. And this, although concern to rescue you was the chief
motive of his embracing that same service."
She had turned her shoulder to him so that he should not see her face.
"I know. I know now," she said softly. Then after a pause she added
the question: "And you? What part has your lordship had in this -
that you should incriminate yourself with us?"
"My part?" Again he hesitated, then plunged recklessly on, as men
do when determined to perform a thing they fear. "If I understood
him aright, if he understood aright, himself, my part, though
entirely passive, was none the less effective.
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