A very praiseworthy thing
your sincere conduct,--if it didn't at times resemble brutality so much.
But I don't think it was compunction. That sentiment is rare in women
. . . "
"Is it?" I interrupted indignantly.
"You know more women than I do," retorted the unabashed Marlow. "You
make it your business to know them--don't you? You go about a lot
amongst all sorts of people. You are a tolerably honest observer. Well,
just try to remember how many instances of compunction you have seen. I
am ready to take your bare word for it. Compunction! Have you ever seen
as much as its shadow? Have you ever? Just a shadow--a passing shadow!
I tell you it is so rare that you may call it non-existent. They are too
passionate. Too pedantic. Too courageous with themselves--perhaps. No
I don't think for a moment that Mrs. Fyne felt the slightest compunction
at her treatment of her sea-going brother. What _he_ thought of it who
can tell? It is possible that he wondered why he had been so insistently
urged to come. It is possible that he wondered bitterly--or
contemptuously--or humbly.
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