“That’s the worst part of it. You see, chum, there’s a child, and she says she’s going to apply for a proper support for it. Proper support! Heavens! The money I’ve paid her would support ten children. It’s only temper.”
Peter said, “Watts, Watts,” in a sad voice.
“Pretty bad, isn’t it? If it wasn’t for the child I could—”
Peter interrupted. “Has she any proofs of paternity besides—?”
Watts interrupted in turn. “Yes. Confound it! I was fool enough to write letters during my infatuation. Talleyrand was right when he said only fools and women wrote letters.”
“How could you?”
“That’s what I’ve asked myself a hundred times. Oh, I’m sorry enough. I’ve sworn never to put pen to paper again. Jamais!”
“I did not mean the letters. But your vow.”
“My vow?”
“Your marriage vow.”