"I don't know. The point is, did you?"
"You think it in character?"
"Oh—be candid! I don't mean directly, of course. But is she here because of anything you may have telephoned her—after your call last night?"
"Really, Ambrose! This is a little too much, even from you."
"Forgive me—I insist! Is she?"
"You must have a very bad conscience," replied Lucette.
"I am more interested in yours."
She laughed luxuriously, "Mine has never been clearer."
Did the woman want me to stop her breath with bare hands? I gripped the mahogany arms of my stiff Chippendale chair.
"Listen to me, Lucette! I know this is all very thrilling and amusing for you. Vivisection must have its charms, of course—for an expert. But I venture to remind you that once upon a time you were not a bad-hearted girl, and you must have some remnants of human sympathy about you somewhere. Am I wrong?"