The second reason, subordinate to the
first, is obvious: decent men, in these days, have tacitly agreed to
suspend a violent appeal to the unwritten law as a concession to
civilisation. This second reason, however, depends entirely upon the
first, as you see."
He leaned back in his chair thoughtfully, and recrossed his legs.
"I did not ask you into this room," he said, with a slight smile, "to
complain of the wrong you have committed against me, or to retail to you
the consequences of your act as they may or may not have affected me and
my career; I have--ah--invited you here to explain to you the present
condition of your own domestic affairs"--he looked at Ruthven full in
the face--"to explain them to you, and to lay down for you the course of
conduct which you are to follow."
"By God!--" began Ruthven, stepping back, one hand reaching for the
door-knob; but Selwyn's voice rang out clean and sharp:
"Sit down!"
And, as Ruthven glared at him out of his little eyes:
"You'd better sit down, I think," said Selwyn softly.
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