’Whynot？’
’Ithoughtyouhadbetternot，asitdoesnotconcernmefurthernow。Thesolicitorsarelabouringunderamistakeinsupposingthatitdoes。Ihavetowriteatonceandinformthemthattheannuityisnotminetoreceive。’
’Whatastrangemysteryinyourlife！’shesaid，forcingaperplexedsmile。’Somethingtobalancethetragedyinmine。Iamabsolutelyinthedarkastoyourpasthistory，itseems。AndyetIhadthoughtyoutoldmeeverything。’
’Icouldnottellyouthat，Viviette，becauseitwouldhaveendangeredourrelations——thoughnotinthewayyoumaysuppose。
Youwouldhavereprovedme。You，whoaresogenerousandnoble，wouldhaveforbiddenmetodowhatIdid;andIwasdeterminednottobeforbidden。’