'Well—' I began. I had not considered the point before.
'I don't believe you would. If I asked you to do it for my sake—'
'But, Cynthia, kidnapping, you know! It's such an infernally low-down game.'
'I played it. Do you despise me?'
I perspired. I could think of no other reply.
'Peter,' she said, 'I understand your scruples. I know exactly how you feel. But can't you see that this is quite different from the sort of kidnapping you naturally look on as horrible? It's just taking a boy away from surroundings that must harm him, back to his mother, who worships him. It's not wrong. It's splendid.'
She paused.
'You will do it for me, Peter?' she said.
'I don't understand,' I said feebly. 'It's done. You've kidnapped him yourself.'
'They tracked him and took him back. And now I want you to try.' She came closer to me. 'Peter, don't you see what it will mean to me if you agree to try? I'm only human, I can't help, at the bottom of my heart, still being a little jealous of this Audrey Blake. No, don't say anything. Words can't cure me; but if you do this thing for me, I shall be satisfied. I shall know.'