It was a heady draught. Jack's brain reeled.
She raised her head. Her eyes were embers in the wind. "Look at me! Am I not beautiful? You said I was beautiful!"
The voice of the tempter whispered to Jack: "Take her at her word. She deserves no consideration. Kate would have no right to blame you after what she said."
"Look in my eyes," she whispered. "What do you see there?"
The fire of those strange eyes lighted a train of gunpowder in the man. He forgot everything. "Oh—you beauty!" he murmured hoarsely.
They rose simultaneously and leaned towards each other over the little table.
"It's all so simple," she whispered. "Let me marry Bobo. You will still be his master and mine!"
Once more she fatally overreached herself. Every instinct of decency in the man was revolted by the picture she called up. He firmly unwound the white arms that had crept around his neck. He turned away and took a cigarette.
Miriam stared at him frightened and angry. "What's the matter with you?" she whispered.
"You'd better go," he said harshly.