“Can you expect that, after the way you treated me last night—this morning?”
“Ah, well!” he said, claw-like fingers stroking his lips to conceal his smile of mockery.
“You lied to me, drugged me, robbed me of the necklace, brought me here....”
“Guilty,” he said, yawning openly.
“Why? You could have taken the necklace from me at the hotel. Why must you bring me here and keep me prisoner?”
“The pleasure of my only daughter’s society....”
“Oh, you’re despicable!” she cried, furious.
He nodded thoughtfully, fumbling with his lips.
“Won’t you tell me why?” she pleaded.
He shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand,” he added in a tone of maddening commiseration.