human
My wife to be treated like that!
gpt
Oh, the treatment was not so bad, lied the Duchess, easily.
human
Of course, my mouth was sore with the fall on the stairs, but I managed to touch the lips of that--that---- Ugh! ugh!
gpt
I'll go to Southend to-morrow, announced the Duke, frowning.
human
I can't thrash Demetrius, poor devil, but I'll hammer the life out of that second-hand skipper.
gpt
You won't find the boat there, Jim. I made inquiries, and learnt that it left, as Demetrius said it would, shortly after my visit. And we are quite safe. That kiss----
human
Leave the kissin' alone, cried Jim, turning on her fiercely.
gpt
Of course, I see you couldn't quite help it; but----
human
No 'but' at all, contradicted Leah, sharply.
gpt
If I hadn't bought back those cypher letters in that way the whole story might have come out. And then, Jim--well, you know.
human
I do--I do. Jim groaned and dropped on the sofa beside her.
gpt
Oh, what fools we were to go into that insurance business!
human
It was my fault, dear. Don't worry. Demetrius will die soon, and Strange has his blackmail. We are entirely safe.
gpt
Katinka?
human
Oh, said the Duchess, with a flippancy she was far from feeling,
gpt
I suppose shell sit by the grave of that man for the rest of her days.
human
You're sure he's dyin'?
gpt
Yes! She turned pale, and her voice quavered.
human
Such an object could not possibly live. It would be a--a--sin.
gpt
What's his trouble?
human
I don't know--I can't say. I don't want to say. It's--it's too beastly for words. Ugh! He looked--looked--oh! Leah's mouth worked like a rebuked child, and she burst into tears--into real womanly tears of shame and terror and outraged modesty.
gpt
That horrible kiss--oh, that horrible kiss!
human
Poor old girl,
gpt
There, there, said he, tenderly;
human
Thank God,
gpt
What's that?
human
What's that, Leah?
gpt
Thank God for you,
human
Oh, my aunt, muttered the startled husband; then proceeded to fresh consolation:
gpt
Well, then, I'll break the head of any bounder who dares to say a word against you.
human
Yes; but I'm afraid we're wicked, Jim.
gpt
Other people are as bad, said the Duke, stoutly,
human
suggested Jim;
gpt
I'll be wheeler, as usual.
human
We must make the best of things, I suppose,
gpt
That's about it. We'll give sin a rest for a bit. I'll chuck that woman, and be your husband. I swear, Leah, I'll be a Methodist parson sort of husband.
human
No, don't, said the Duchess, alarmed.
gpt
It's a mistake to overdo things.
human
Well, I don't suppose I could keep on that game for long, said her husband;
gpt
Dear old Jim!