"Some women could have done it," he told her, sternly. "But not you, my dear...." Fury and sarcasm were in his tone. "So! That's it, is it? And I stand blindly by while you and he ..."
Utter madness seemed to rush upon him.
Lucia had backed to the table. "No! I can't. You—you brute!"
Pell watched her, steadily. "Do you think I am a fool? Or that you are more than human?" he cried out.
"I swear to God!" she contradicted him.
"Ha! You've had your turn, my lady! Now, it's mine! And after all I've done for you, you ungrateful hussy!"
The clock struck three. It seemed an eternity until the little bell ceased. Her life with him swam before her in that brief period. All she could utter was:
"What are you going to do?" And she clutched her hands in helplessness, for she read some sinister purpose in his voice.
"I'm going to do what I once saw another sensible husband do under these circumstances."
Lucia's face was ashen now. "What is that?"