human
What do you want? she repeated miserably.
gpt
Be straight with me for once, if you can, de Courcy, and tell me plainly--if there's anything to tell. What is it you want?
human
I have my chance at last, he said hurriedly,
gpt
What does all that mean?--more money? she asked.
human
Haven't you grown ashamed of begging yet? I raised your allowance last year, and it's being paid regularly--Ford & Martin have sent me on your receipts. To give it you at all is an act of grace, for you've no earthly claim on me, and you know it. From the day I married you I never cost you a farthing; I've paid for everything myself, down to every morsel of bread I put into my mouth. You, talked big about your income beforehand, when you knew you were up to your eyes in debt. Well, in debt you may stay, as far as I am concerned. I'll give you that seventy-five a year if you'll keep clear of me; but I won't give you a penny more, for the simple reason that I shan't have it to give. It'll be an uncommonly close shave in any case--I have myself to keep.
gpt
Yourself to keep? Smyth snarled.
human
Since when have you taken to wholesale lying, my pretty madam? That is a new development.
gpt
I'm not lying, Poppy blazed out.
human
I am speaking honest, sober truth.
gpt
Is not that a little too brazen? he asked.
human
Even with such a negligible quantity as a deserted husband, it is a mistake to overplay the part.
gpt
For God's sake tell me what you want--tell me what you want, she cried,
human
You do not believe in me, Smyth replied sullenly,
gpt
All right, all right, Poppy said.
human
We can miss out the remainder of that speech. I know it by heart. Come to the point--what do you want?
gpt
I was just filling in the sketch of the third act.
human
Oh, heavens, she ejaculated,
gpt
It will be unnecessary to approach any manager. I go straight to the public this time. I have the promise of money to meet the expenses of two matinees at least. I have no scruple in accepting--it is an investment, and an immensely profitable one--for I know the worth of my own work. It is great, nothing less than great--
human
Of course, Poppy said.
gpt
But pray where do I come in? Then she paused. Suddenly she pieced the bits of the puzzle together, saw and understood. Misery, deeper than any she had yet experienced, overflowed in her.
human
Ah, it is you, then, you who are bleeding Dominic Iglesias, she cried.
gpt
Robbing him by appeals to his charity and lying assurances of impossible profits. You shall not do it. I will put a stop to it. You shall not, you shall not!
human
Why? Smyth inquired.
gpt
Do you want all his money yourself?
human
You dirty hound,
gpt
I did not know of your connection with him till yesterday, Smyth continued--in proportion as Poppy lost herself, he became cool and astute--
human
For once, he went on exultantly,
gpt
You live there, then? Poppy said absently.
human
You live there?
gpt
Yes, he answered.
human
Does that offend your niceness, too? Do you consider the place too good for me? You need not distress yourself. I have only one room, a small one--on the second floor immediately above your friend's handsome sitting-room, but only half the size of it. The floors are old. I can gather a very fair sense of any conversation taking place below.
gpt
May I inquire what you propose to do? Smyth asked presently--