human
He is ruined, Mrs. Cassilis, and hopelessly. I have read certain papers which he put into my hands this morning. It is clear to me that his mind has been for some weeks agitated by certain anonymous letters which came to him every day, and accused you--pardon me, Mrs. Cassilis--accused you of--infidelity. The letters state that there is a secret of some kind connected with your former acquaintance with Mr. Colquhoun; that you have been lately in the habit of receiving him or meeting him every day; that you were in his chambers one evening when Mr. Cassilis called; with other particulars extremely calculated to excite jealousy and suspicion. Lastly, he was sent by the writer to Twickenham. The rest, I believe you know.
gpt
There can be no doubt, not the least doubt, that had your husband's mind been untroubled, this would never have happened. The disaster is due to his jealousy.
human
I could kill her! said Mrs. Cassilis, clenching her fist.
gpt
I could kill her!
human
Kill whom?
gpt
The woman who wrote those letters. It was a woman. No man could have done such a thing. A woman's trick. Go on.
human
There is nothing more to say. How far other people are involved with your husband, I cannot tell. I am going now into the City to find out if I can. Your wild words, Mrs. Cassilis, and your unguarded conduct, have brought about misfortunes on which you little calculated. But I am not here to reproach you.
gpt
You are my husband's man of business, I suppose, she replied coldly--
human
You have two courses open to you, he went on.
gpt
You may, by repeating the confession you made in the hearing of Mr. Cassilis, draw upon yourself such punishment as the Law, provided the confession be true, can inflict. That will be a grievous thing to you. It will drive you out of society, and brand you as a criminal; it will lock you up for two years in prison; it will leave a stigma never to be forgotten or obliterated; it means ruin far, far worse than what you have brought on Mr. Cassilis. On the other hand, you may keep silence. This at least will secure the legitimacy of your boy, and will keep for you the amount settled on you at your marriage. But you may choose. If the statement you made is true, of course I can be no party to compounding a felony----
human
And Lawrence? she interposed.
gpt
What does Lawrence say?
human
In any case Mr. Colquhoun will leave England at once.
gpt
He will marry that Phillis girl? You may tell him, she hissed out,
human
Mr. Colquhoun informs me further, pursued the crafty lawyer,
gpt
Take me to--my husband, if you please.