 particularly evil intentions, but have glided on from one step to another
with a smoothness so perfectly diabolical, that I had not the slightest idea the
catalogue was half so long until I began to turn it over. Whereas I find,« said
Mr. James Harthouse, in conclusion, »that it is really in several volumes.«
    Though he said all this in his frivolous way, the way seemed, for that once,
a conscious polishing of but an ugly surface. He was silent for a moment; and
then proceeded with a more self-possessed air, though with traces of vexation
and disappointment that would not be polished out.
    »After what has been just now represented to me, in a manner I find it
impossible to doubt - I know of hardly any other source from which I could have
accepted it so readily - I feel bound to say to you, in whom the confidence you
have mentioned has been reposed, that I cannot refuse to contemplate the
possibility (however unexpected) of my seeing the lady no more. I am solely to
blame for the thing having come to this - and - and, I cannot say,« he added,
rather hard up for a general peroration, »that I have any sanguine expectation
of ever becoming a moral sort of fellow, or that I have any belief in any moral
sort of fellow whatever.«
    Sissy's face sufficiently showed that her appeal to him was not finished.
    »You spoke,« he resumed, as she raised her eyes to him again, »of your first
object. I may assume that there is a second to be mentioned?«
    »Yes.«
    »Will you oblige me by confiding it?«
    »Mr. Harthouse,« returned Sissy, with a blending of gentleness and
steadiness that quite defeated him, and with a simple confidence in his being
bound to do what she required, that held him at a singular disadvantage, »the
only reparation that remains with you, is to leave here immediately and finally.
I am quite sure that you can mitigate in no other way the wrong and harm you
have done. I am quite sure that it is the only compensation you have left it in
your power to make. I do not say that it is much, or that it is enough; but it
is something, and it is necessary. Therefore, though without any other authority
than I have given you, and even without the knowledge of any other person than
yourself and myself, I ask you to depart from this place to-night, under an
obligation never to
