‘Now, please don’t be ridiculous,’ Gil is said. ‘The Rajah’s a high-born gentleman. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge.’
‘That doesn’t make the slightest difference to me. Anyway, even if he wasn’t coloured, the answer’s still no. I’m going back to the Fol ies. I’ve had enough of this kind of life.’
‘My dear girl, I doubt if the Follies would have you. There’ll be a hell of a scandal when the press hear Kile’s been arrested. I can’t imagine the Follies will want the discarded mistress of a jail-bird decorating their theatre.’
She looked away, biting her lip, her hands clenched into tight fists.
‘Now, look, do be sensible, Eve,’ Gil is said, pressing his advantage. ‘See the Rajah tomorrow. He’s got a lot of charm. He won’t rush you. Maybe on the boat you’l be expected to do your job, but certainly not until you get on the boat.’
‘You’d better go, Adam,’ she said, without looking at him.
He stared at her, startled.
‘What do you mean?’
‘What I say. I don’t want to see you again. I’ve been trying to make up my mind to end our sordid association for weeks, but I’ve never had the courage. But I have now. There was a time, Adam, when I loved you. I was ready to do anything for you, but you’ve killed all that. Looking at you now, I can’t understand why I have been such an utter fool. Well, I’m glad you’ve got a job. I’m glad you’re going to India. We needn’t meet again. I sincerely hope we don’t.’ She turned back to the window. ‘Please go now.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, Eve,’ Gil is said, with an uneasy laugh, ‘You don’t mean it. As soon as I get home you’ll cal me up as you always do. Let’s get down to earth. This is a chance of a lifetime for both of us.’