“I don’t understand. How can I do these things? I’m not a man of wealth....”
“Oh, yes, you are, if you like. There’s the old professor. You know how to play as he does. You can get hold of his books, copy his figures. We’ll go to San Sebastien, Buenos Ayres, everywhere roulette is allowed. Play, play for yourself. Become rich. Life without money is hell. Come! you’ll do it. Won’t you, won’t you....”
She clung to him. He looked at her with something like horror.
“You want me to steal the professor’s system?”
“Yes, if you want to put it that way. Why not? He’s old, half mad. Charity begins at home. Why not?”
“Never!”
“You will ... you will....”
She seemed to be holding him with all the strength of her body; she kissed him like a mad thing. He could feel her hot panting breath on his face, see her eyes burn into his.
“No, a thousand times no!”
She was like a splendid animal mad with passion. He rose and wrenching her arms apart, backed away from her, a look of repulsion in his eyes. She saw it and knew she was defeated.