"Your lip is cut, then?"
"Both lips--inside, luckily, so there will be no visible scars. But even now a very little would make them bleed."
Such was the profound egotism of her nature that she expected further sympathy from the man she had reduced to such a condition. But the doctor's stock of polite phrases appeared to be exhausted. In place of a compliment came a hoarse chuckle, like the cry of an early starling. "You appear to approve," said Leah, ironically.
"Pardon; I mentioned before that Mademoiselle, in my humble opinion, was wrong."
"She was very wrong. I am not accustomed to deal with wild beasts."
"Spare me, madame; I owe her so much."
"I owe her nothing except revenge for striking me. But I excuse that because she is ignorant of the truth."
"I am also ignorant, madame."
"You shall hear it now--yes, the absolute truth."
Again came the raucous sound, which might have been a laugh or a groan--Leah could not tell which.