"If I can't
find any other means, I'll--" but Miss Templeton rang off, and he
spoke to the wind.
Full of wrath against Lilian Rosenberg, he went round to see her, and
met her, just as she was entering her house.
"I've come to see you for the last time," he announced. "After the way
you behaved in Court, we can no longer be friends."
"I don't understand," she said in rather a faltering voice. "What have
I done?"
"Only perjured yourself," Shiel retorted. "The tale you told the judge
was very different to the tale you told me, therefore it is impossible
for us to continue our friendship. I could never have anything to do
with a woman whose word I can't rely upon--whose character I scorn,
whom I despise--and--" he was going to add, "detest," but checked
himself, and unable to trust himself in her presence any longer, he
gave her a glance of the utmost contempt, and wheeling round, walked
quickly away.
As in a dream, Lilian Rosenberg went upstairs to her room, and
throwing herself on the bed, buried her face in the pillow and
indulged in a fit of crying. It was not the thought of losing Shiel
that was so painful to her--she might have grown reconciled to
that--it was the thought of losing his esteem. Most people would agree
with her--would assure her she had done the right thing in looking
after number one. "What, after all, is perjury?" she argued. "Nearly
every one in this world perjure themselves at one time or
another--certainly all women.
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