“I don’t. But I’d lose twenty kings sooner than sit quiet under a dirty trick like that.”
“Do you propose staying on, then, till this imposture is discovered, as every day makes more probable? As well betray me at once.”
“You know I wouldn’t do that. But I like the fun and I like the life, and I see no more risk of discovery now than when I came. Why do you want me to go?”
“I never said I did. I don’t, as a matter of fact, if you will only not like these things so well as half to forget your purpose in them.”
“My purpose? That’s to make the lord creature in love with me. Well, haven’t I?”
“I miss the conclusive evidence—the proof of the pudding that’s in the eating.”
“That wasn’t in the bargain. Be fair, George. I’m doing all that was asked of me, and doing it faithful.”
She was, in fact; yet he had actually hoped for more. She was so excessively alluring that he could not believe Chesterfield capable, in spite of his apparent insensibility, of ultimately resisting her charms, were she fully resolved he should not.
“And is that,” he said, “suggesting the little piece too much? You’ve grown very fastidious of a sudden. I told you I was beginning to doubt.”
She looked at him queerly a moment.