human
All the better, thought Leah, sailing into the Adamless Eden of the winter garden;
gpt
A cigarette, dear Lady Jim?
human
No, thanks; I leave smoking to women who bait their hooks with agreeable vices
gpt
Delightful woman, Lady James,
human
Delightful, assented the other, who at the moment would gladly have mounted the scaffold on a charge of murdering her insolent rival.
gpt
I call her perfectly lovely. Such a perfect complexion, and exquisite figure, and heavenly eyes, and large hands.
human
Can you wonder at it, my dear, when you are so sweet and gentle and womanly?
gpt
You must be thinking of Hilda Frith, replied Lady Jim, calmly.
human
I cannot call myself such an angel.
gpt
No; you left that to the sailor-boy you were flirting with.
human
Poor boy, he doesn't know how to flirt.
gpt
You'll teach him, my dear,
human
Not without fees.
gpt
Humph. His education will cost him a pretty penny.
human
Possibly. But I might teach him for love, after the fashion of Miss Tallentire and Lionel.
gpt
Rubbish! Joan doesn't know how to flirt.
human
Or to dress either. I must ask her how the Whiteley sales are getting on.
gpt
Leah! said Lady Canvey, with a pained look.
human
Why have you such a bitter tongue?
gpt
I must defend myself somehow. You wouldn't have me scratch and bite, would you?
human
I would have you be more womanly and lovable, my dear.
gpt
On a thousand a year, and such a husband as I have?
human
Every man is what his wife makes him.
gpt
They generally go to other men's wives to be manufactured. Besides, so far as Jim is concerned, you can't make a silk purse out of a certain animal's ear.
human
My dear, I am an old woman, and perhaps rather sharp-tongued at times, but I have a motherly feeling for you. Can't you give up this wild life, and go abroad to devote yourself to Jim? He has his good points, my dear, and if you would try and live more amicably with him, I am sure you would be a happy woman. Then, in a year or so, you could come back to Curzon Street, with all the debts paid, and your full income to live on. Believe me --she laid a withered hand on Leah's beautiful arm--
gpt
I speak for the best, my dear girl.
human
Now that the sermon's over, can I pass round the plate?
gpt
Not for me to put money in, said Lady Canvey, with a flush.
human
I shan't give you a penny. It is useless talking to you, Leah; your one idea is money and enjoyment and love of admiration.
gpt
It seems to me that those are three ideas, replied Lady Jim, rising;
human
All the same she lingered, and talked in a low tone, with unexpected emotion.
gpt
You blame me, Lady Canvey, for being what I am. Pray, what chance have I had of being otherwise? I lost my mother when I was a child; I was brought up by a neglectful and selfish father; I am married to a husband who has nothing of the man about him, save those handsome looks, which lured me into a much-regretted marriage. All my life I have lived with worldly and material people, and your counsel has been as worldly as that of any one of them. I have never been shown the difference between right and wrong, and there isn't a single soul in the world who has a spark of love for me. If my up-bringing and surroundings had been better, I might be a good woman--so far as I can be, I _am_ a good woman. I have my moments of regret--I have my moments when I wish I could be a religious, dowdy saint. But who will help me out of the mire--who will----?