Part 28 (2/2)
”You would find very few who would believe your statements,” he said; ”for, besides the fact that hundreds witnessed the ceremony last night, the papers have published full accounts of the affair, and the whole city now knows about it.”
”I know it--I have read the papers,” said Edith, without appearing in the least disconcerted.
”What! already?”
”Yes.”
”Well, what did you think of the account?” her companion inquired, regarding her curiously.
”That it was simply another clever piece of duplicity on your part, the only object of which was the accomplishment of your nefarious purposes. I believe you yourself were the author of it.”
Emil Correlli started as if he had been stung.
He did not dream that she would attribute the article to him--the last thing he could wish would be that she should think it had emanated from his pen.
Nevertheless, his admiration for her was increased tenfold by her shrewdness in discerning the truth.
”You judge me harshly,” he said, bitterly.
”I have no reason for judging you otherwise,” Edith coldly remarked; then added, haughtily: ”Allow me to pa.s.s, sir, if you please.”
”I do not please. Oh, Edith, pray be reasonable; come into Anna's boudoir, and let us talk this matter over amicably and calmly,” he pleaded, laying a gentle hand upon her arm.
She shook it off as if it had been a reptile.
”No, sir; I shall discuss nothing with you, either now or at any other time. If,” she added, a fiery gleam in her beautiful eyes, ”it is ever discussed in my presence it will be before a judge and jury!”
The man bit his lips to repress an oath.
”Yes, Anna told me you threatened that; but I hoped it was only an idle menace,” he said. ”Do you really mean that you intend to file an application to have the marriage annulled?”
”Most a.s.suredly--at least, if, indeed, after laying the matter before the proper authorities, such a formality is deemed necessary,” said the girl, with a scornful inflection that cut her listener to the quick.
He grew deadly white, more at her contemptuous tones than her threat.
”Edith--what can I say to win you?” he cried, after a momentary struggle with himself. ”I swear to you that I cannot--will not live without you. I will be your slave--your lightest wish shall be my law, if you will yield this point--come with me as my honored wife, and let me, by my love and unceasing efforts, try to win even your friendly regard. I know I have done wrong,” he went on, a.s.suming a tone and air of humility; ”I see it now when it is too late. I ask you to pardon me, and let me atone in whatever way you may deem best. See!--I kneel--I beg--I implore!”
And suiting the action to the words, he dropped upon one knee before her and extended his hands in earnest appeal to her.
”In whatever way I may deem best you will atone?” she repeated, looking him gravely in the face. ”Then make a public confession of the fraud of which you have been guilty, and give me my freedom.”
”Ah, anything but that--anything but that!” he exclaimed, flus.h.i.+ng consciously beneath her gaze.
She moved back a pace or two from him, her lips curling with contempt.
”Your appeal was but a wretched farce--it is worse than useless--it is despicable,” she said, with an accent that made him writhe like a whipped cur.
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