"But what has all this to do with me?" she said. "If this is all you have brought me out to listen to——"
"That's a nice way to round on me. Wasn't it you what asked me to tell you the story?"
"So you've deserted two women instead of one, that's about the long and short of it."
"Well, if that's what you think I'd better be off," said William, and he rose to his feet and stood looking at her. She sat quite still, not daring to raise her eyes; her heart was throbbing violently. Would he go away and never come back? Should she answer him indifferently or say nothing? She chose the latter course. Perhaps it was the wrong one, for her dogged silence irritated him, and he sat down and begged of her to forgive him. He would wait for her. Then her heart ceased throbbing, and a cold numbness came over her hands.
"My wife thought that I had no money, and could do what she liked with me. But I had been backing winners all the season, and had a couple of thousand in the bank. I put aside a thousand for working expenses, for I intended to give up backing horses and go in for bookmaking instead. I have been at it ever since. A few ups and downs, but I can't complain. I am worth to-day close on three thousand pounds."
At the mention of so much money Esther raised her eyes. She looked at William steadfastly. Her object was to rid herself of him, so that she might marry another man; but at that moment a sensation of the love she had once felt for him sprang upon her suddenly.
"I must be getting back, my mistress will be waiting for me."
"You needn't be in that hurry. It is quite early. Besides, we haven't settled nothing yet."
"You've been telling me about your wife. I don't see much what it's got to do with me."
"I thought you was interested… that you wanted to see that I wasn't as much to blame as you thought."