Part 37 (2/2)
”Never mind. Do you intend to pay me?” he asked in a lower tone.
”Yes, but not all now. I'm really hard up, otherwise you should have every penny I promised.”
”Oh, that's nonsense. You can get money from that confiding husband of yours, if you like--”
”But I don't like, so there's the difference,” she interrupted. ”I know my own business best.”
”How much can you give me?”
”Two hundred pounds.”
”Pooh! I'm not going to accept that,” said he decisively. ”What next?
If you offered me five hundred as the first instalment, I might feel disposed to take it.”
”Take it or leave it, you'll get no more just now.”
”Look here,” he cried fiercely, standing before her in a threatening att.i.tude. ”Do you think I'm going to be made sport of in this manner?
If so, you've made a huge mistake. I want the money and I mean to have it. If you won't give it to me, then I shall be under the necessity of requesting a loan from your husband. That would queer your delightful little game, wouldn't it--eh?”
She drew a long breath, and for an instant the colour left her face.
Nevertheless, it took more than a threat of that kind to disconcert her.
”You are at liberty to do even that,” she answered, with a sardonic smile. ”But you would be the sufferer, I'm thinking.”
”I want none of your trickery. Pay me, and you'll never hear of me again.”
”If I could believe that, it would relieve my mind very considerably,”
she observed with candour. ”The facts are these: the whole of the money I have been able to sc.r.a.pe together only amounts to two hundred pounds.
I admit it is but a small proportion of my debt, yet I think it should satisfy your present needs. Just now I cannot ask my husband for a large sum, as I can think of no excuse for wanting it.”
”I should think it is the first time you were ever at a loss for a lie,”
he remarked sarcastically.
”It doesn't do to carry imposition too far. I flatter myself I know when and where to draw the line.”
”I've some plans in hand, and must have five hundred pounds to carry them out. Not a penny less will be of any use to me.”
”But I tell you I can't give it to you.”
”Then I must get it from another source, that's all,” he declared, selecting a cigarette from his case, and a.s.suming an air of unconcern.
”Come, enough of this,” she exclaimed petulantly; ”I cannot stay here half the night arguing with you.” Putting her hand into the breast of her dress she drew forth some bank-notes. There were four, each for fifty pounds. ”Will you take these or not?” she asked, offering them to him.
”Don't I tell you they're no use? I must have twice as much.”
”Then, I'm sorry I can't oblige you, and will wish you _bon soir_,” she replied, with a mock curtsey.
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