to, too. I would bear it, if it were not away from . . . out of sight
of I'm a fool of a woman, I know. There's frankness for you! and I could
declare you're saying "impudence" in your heart--or what you have for
one. Have you one?'

'My dear soul, it 's a flint. So just think of your duty.' Dartrey
played the horrid part of executioner with some skill.

Her bosom sprang to descend into abysses.

'And never a greater fool than when I sent for you to see such a face as
I'm showing!' she cried, with lips that twitched and fingers that plucked
at her belt. 'But you might feel my hatred of being tied to--dragged
about over the Continent by that . . . perhaps you think a woman is
not sensible of vulgarity in her husband! I 'm bothering you? I don't
say I have the slightest claim. You never made love to me, never! Never
so much as pressed my hand or looked. Others have--as much as I let
them. And before I saw you, I had not an idea of another man but that
man. So you advise me to go?'

'There's no other course.'

'No other course. I don't see one. What have I been dreaming of!
Usually a woman feeling . . .' she struck at her breast, 'has had a
soft word in her ear. "Go!" I don't blame you, Captain Dartrey. At
least, you 're not the man to punish a woman for stripping herself, as I
've done. I call myself a fool--I'm a lunatic. Trust me with your
hand.'

'There you are.'