Part 36 (1/2)
”I should think it wise--not of course in the least knohy you originally came”
She looked at him rather quizzically
”You mean to say then that you don't really know?”
”Oh,”--he was truthful--”I have rather an idea, and I hope a more or less true one”
But the lady did not confess or in anywise help him He went on to say:
”Your love for the castle couldn't, of course, long continue to keep you mewed up here; and you'll be shortly discovered As far as your own interests are concerned it will be rather better to obtain the divorce as soon as possible”
”Oh, Mr Bulstrode,” she interposed, ”don't ely ”On the contrary, I aht, arding the Duke”
She was so at hishis face And as Bulstrode lit the cigarette she pers which she had set at his elbow, he went on to make out her case for her
”He has quite spoiled your life He has been a brute, and not in the least worth your----”
But the duchess had dropped her tongs; they fell ringing on the hard-wood floor She raised a scarlet face to hie_,” she murmured, ”an _autodafe_”
”No,” he said quietly, ”it's a plain truth Westboro' has toldI must think that he has done so The man of me naturally condones him, and the friend in ht, my dear duchess, are all on your side”
”Oh, justice and right!” she dismissed, ”only criminals need such words”
Bulstrode said cooly: ”But Westboro' has been a criminal!”
”If he were,” eive hireed warmly, ”hoonderfully, how beautifully, everyone knows And he is all the more, therefore, dreadfully to be blamed”
She said passionately: ”What do you mean, Mr Bulstrode? Hohy do you speak to uest drank his tea with singular peace of mind
”I think he is dreadfully to be blamed”
”But why should you tell it toeyes on hers with the greatest tribute of affection and sympathy--”I've known you for years, I' to see that things are ed for a reconciliation, I admit, with this husband who, poor stuff as he is, loves you still But I see what a sentiht you are”
She put her hand to her throat as if the soft lace suffocated her; she had grown very pale indeed
”What,” she gasped, ”do you know of my plans and my intentions, Mr
Bulstrode? I have not told theuess them,” he replied