Virginia alone was not amused. Her face turned deathly pale. He had broken his word again. She looked at him, and shuddered. She saw his eyes seek her out and she read there the same expression which had always frightened her and which when he was in that condition meant only one thing. She could not go on living like this. It was unbearable, more than she could endure. It was too humiliating, too degrading. As she stood watching him he advanced clumsily towards her. Involuntarily she recoiled, but, in a stride, he was beside her and placed one arm round her waist. Kissing her, he hiccoughed:
"Hello, honey!" With maudlin admiration he exclaimed: "My, but you look sweet to-night!"
Disgusted, nauseated, Virginia turned her head away from his tainted breath, and tried to disengage herself. But he held her as in a vice. Turning to Jimmie, he said jocularly:
"Do you—wonder that—I'm in love with her?"
"I should say not," grinned the clerk.
"She's the prettiest and sweetest girl that ever lived," went on Stafford. He still had one arm round his wife's waist and, struggling to place his mouth on hers, he insisted: "Kiss me, honey!"
In vain Virginia strove to free herself. She was but a child in his strong arms.
"Robert—Robert—please!" she protested angrily.
He laughed boisterously.
"Oh—go on—you know you love me! Kiss me!"