Part 89 (2/2)
”Really after what has happened with d.i.c.k Garstin to-day I--”
His face now had an expression almost of pain.
”I am really not _canaille_,” he said. ”I am not accustomed to be thought of and treated as if I were _canaille_.”
”It's all right,” she said. ”But--you see my mourning! I am in deep mourning, and I ought not--”
She stopped. She felt the uselessness of her protest, the ungraciousness of her demeanour. Without another word she went to the sofa by one of the windows and sat down. He came and sat down beside her.
”I want you to help me about d.i.c.k Garstin,” he said.
”How? What can I do? I have no influence with him.”
”Oh, yes, you have. A lady like you has always influence with a man.”
”Not with him.”
”But I say you have.”
”What do you want me to do?”
”I want you to tell him what I have said to you to-day.”
”That you won't have the picture exhibited?”
”Yes.”
”He'll only laugh.”
”Beg him for your sake to yield.”
”But what have I to do with it?”
”Very much, I think. It will be better that he yields--really.”
She raised her eyes to his.
”We do not want a scandal, do we?”
”But--”
”If it should come to a fight between d.i.c.k Garstin and me there might be a scandal.”
”But my name wouldn't--”
Again she was silent.
”I might try. But it wouldn't be any use.”
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