A little smile, half a grin, flickered on his face.
`I don't make it difficult,' he said. `I only want to find out just
what you are after. But you don't really know yourself. You want to take
time: get away and look at it. I don't blame you. I think you're wise. You
may prefer to stay mistress of Wragby. I don't blame you. I've no Wragbys to
offer. In fact, you know what you'll get out of me. No, no, I think you're
right! I really do! And I'm not keen on coming to live on you, being kept by
you. There's that too.'
She felt somehow as if he were giving her tit for tat.
`But you want me, don't you?' she asked.
`Do you want me?'
`You know I do. That's evident.'
`Quite! And when do you want me?'
`You know we can arrange it all when I come back. Now I'm out of breath
with you. I must get calm and clear.'
`Quite! Get calm and clear!'
She was a little offended.
`But you trust me, don't you?' she said.
`Oh, absolutely!'
She heard the mockery in his tone.
`Tell me then,' she said flatly; `do you think it would be better if I
don't go to Venice?'
`I'm sure it's better if you do go to Venice,' he replied in the cool,
slightly mocking voice.
`You know it's next Thursday?' she said.
`Yes!'
She now began to muse. At last she said:
`And we shall know better where we are when I come back, shan't we?'
`Oh surely!'
The curious gulf of silence between them!
`I've been to the lawyer about my divorce,' he said, a little
constrainedly.
She gave a slight shudder.
`Have you!' she said. `And what did he say?'
`He said I ought to have done it before; that may be a difficulty. But
since I was in the army, he thinks it will go through all right. If only it
doesn't bring her down on my head!'
`Will she have to know?'
`Yes! she is served with a notice: so is the man she lives with, the
co-respondent.'
`Isn't it hateful, all the performances! I suppose I'd have to go
through it with Clifford.'
There was a silence.
`And of course,' he said, `I have to live an exemplary life for the
next six or eight months. So if you go to Venice, there's temptation removed
for a week or two, at least.'
`Am I temptation!' she said, stroking his face. `I'm so glad I'm
temptation to you! Don't let's think about it! You frighten me when you
start thinking: you roll me out flat. Don't let's think about it. We can
<<BackPagesTo menuForward>>