"
"He is explained by the hypothesis that, three-and-twenty years ago, at
Ancona, Mrs. Light had a lover."
"I see. Ancona was dull, Mrs. Light was lively, and--three-and-twenty
years ago--perhaps, the Cavaliere was fascinating. Doubtless it would be
fairer to say that he was fascinated. Poor Giacosa!"
"He has had his compensation," Rowland said. "He has been passionately
fond of Christina."
"Naturally. But has Christina never wondered why?"
"If she had been near guessing, her mother's shabby treatment of him
would have put her off the scent. Mrs. Light's conscience has apparently
told her that she could expiate an hour's too great kindness by twenty
years' contempt. So she kept her secret. But what is the profit of
having a secret unless you can make some use of it? The day at last came
when she could turn hers to account; she could let the skeleton out of
the closet and create a panic."
"I don't understand."
"Neither do I morally," said Rowland. "I only conceive that there was a
horrible, fabulous scene. The poor Cavaliere stood outside, at the
door, white as a corpse and as dumb.
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