'Nonsense! Nonsense!'
'God will punish me—know He will. I felt it all to-day in church. I'm done for, I'm done for.'
'You've made a success on the stage. I never saw anyone get on so well in so short a time; and you're loved,' he added with a certain bitterness, 'as much as any woman could be.'
'That's what you think, but I know better. I see him flirting every day with different girls.'
'You imagine those things. Dick couldn't speak roughly to anyone if he tried; but he doesn't care for any woman but you.'
'Of course, you say so. You're his friend.'
'I assure you 'pon my word of honour; I wouldn't tell you so if it weren't true. You're my friend as much as he, aren't you?' and then, as if afraid that she should read his thoughts, he added:
'I'm sure he hasn't kissed anyone since he knew you. I can't put it plainer than that, can I?'
'I'm glad to hear you say so. I don't think you'd tell me a lie; it would be too cruel, wouldn't it? For you know what a position I am in: if Dick were to desert me to-morrow what should I do?'
'You're in a mournful humour. Why should Dick desert you? And even if he did, I don't see that it would be such an awful fate.'