Out of his animal repose Dick smiled at the religious argument, and being on the watch always for a sneer, the blood rushed to her face instantly and she exclaimed:
'If you did seduce me, if you did drag me away from my peaceful home, if you did make a travelling actress of me, you might at least refrain from insulting my religion.'
Dick looked up, surprised. Kate had put down her knife and fork and was pouring herself out a large glass of sherry. She was evidently going to work herself up into one of her rages.
'I assure you, my dear, I never intended to insult your religion; and I wish you wouldn't drink all that wine, it only excites you.'
'Excites me! What does it matter to you if I excite myself or not?'
'My dear Kate, this is very foolish of you. I don't see why—if you'll only listen to reason——'
'Listen to reason!' she said, spilling the sherry over the table, 'ah! it would have been better if I'd never listened to you.'
'You really mustn't drink any more wine; I can't allow it,' said Dick, passing his arm across her and trying to take away the decanter.
This was the climax, and her pretty face curiously twisted, she screamed as she struggled away from him:
'Leave me go, will you! leave me go! Oh! I hate you!' Then clenching her teeth, and more savagely, 'No, I'll not be touched! No! no! no! I will not!'