'What sort of understanding?' she inquired, with that nonchalant impatience of detail which seems to be the special prerogative of beautiful women.
'Ask him to give you three months to think over matters; at the expiration of that time you can have an interview with him, and come to some definite agreement respecting the future.'
She sighed, and leant back wearily, looking at him in a curious, snake-like way beneath her lowered lids.
'Three months will make no difference.'
'Nevertheless ... try it.'
'I want,' she said in a dull voice, '... a divorce!'
For a moment a veil seemed to have been lifted from his eyes; all meekness vanished, and the glance was keen, far-sighted, almost cruel.
'You cannot get that, Alice. It is impossible!'
She turned her face quite away from him and looked out of the window, jerking the arm-rest nervously. Her breath clouded the glass. She murmured something inaudible.
'Eh?' he inquired.