“Then if I sell you the book for the ring I may go back whence I came?”
He laughed.
“Scarcely so. If you want to be a success, and your life depends upon it, you must come over to my side and leave her.”
“And that means despair following on depression.”
“What matter? God’s kindness counteracts the devil’s cruelty.”
“Do you know, Plucritus, I think I should admire you more if at times you spoke plainer?”
“How so?”
“Well, it would be rather a change to hear you speak the honest truth.”
For a minute there was silence, then he got up and leant against the mantelpiece and looked into the curious burning fire.
“It’s a pity,” he said, “for you and I were meant to be friends. It’s a pity we should be separated by the squalling of one insignificant woman.”