"I apologize for not giving you prior notice about my visit here, John. I came here right after I heard about Joanna being back here, which I really didn't know about before. I haven't seen her for a long time, and I didn't see her off for her marriage last time. Since she is here, I came here hastily. I don't want to lose the opportunity to see her. It is impossible for a married lady to stay forever in her maiden home, isn't it?"
In the drawing room, where they gathered after the dinner, Aunt Camille initiated the conversation in a weak-sounding voice, representing a repentance yet delivering strong ground over the demand of explanation that was asked by Duke de Lara, who was sitting on a single couch next to the longer couch she occupied.
The tone she used to ask for an apology from the Duke was different from that toward Canillas when they were still in the dining room, and it was an apology that was made due to the strict request of the Duke.