“And so it was old Vellum who clyped to you,” said the Chamberlain to the lady.
“I see it all plainly now,” said she. “He brought her here just to put her in your way and punish me. Oh, heavens, I'll make him rue for that! And do you fancy I'm going to let you go so easily as all that, Sim? Will Miss Mim-mou' not be shocked if I tell her the truth about her sweetheart?”
“You would not dare!” said the Chamberlain.
“Oh! would I not?” Mrs. Petullo smiled in a fashion that showed she appreciated the triumph of her argument. “What would I not do for my Sim?”
“Well, it's all by, anyway,” said he shortly.
“What, with her?” said Mrs. Petullo, but with no note of hope.
“No, with you,” said he brutally. “Let us be friends, good friends, Kate,” he went on, fearing this should too seriously arouse her. “I'll be the best friend you have in the world, my dear, if you'll let me, only—”
“Only you will never kiss me again,” said she with a sob. “There can be no friendship after you, Sim, and you know it. You are but lying again. Oh, God! oh, God! I wish I were dead! You have done your worst, Simon MacTaggart; and if all tales be true—”
“I'm not saying a word of what I might say in my own defence,” he protested.
“What could you say in your own defence? There is not the ghost of an excuse for you. What could you say?”