“Among other things he told me of your elder brother-who⁠—who⁠—in fact, he told me the whole story. Of course, my mind instantly leapt to my poor Sir Anthony, despite that in appearance he is younger than you. Was I right?”

Richard rose to his feet and walked away to the window, standing with his back to her.

“Ay!”

“I was sure of it,” she nodded. “So that was why he would not speak of England? Poor boy!”

Richard’s soul writhed under the lash of her pity.

“So he will always be outcast,” she continued. “Alone, unhappy, without friends⁠—”

“No!” he cried, turning. “ ’Fore Gad, no, madam!”

“Will society⁠—cruel, hard society⁠—receive him, then?” she asked.