She looked at him sharply.
“Wait! It flashed across your mind that I am waiting for my opportunity? You are descending to the level of the ordinary man whom you despise. I asked this, because I should want to help her without her knowing.”
Kate Duveen stood up.
“You scored a hit there. Yes, I’ll promise that. Of course, Eve will never know you have been here.”
“I rely on you there. Men are apt to forget that women have pride.”
She held out a hand to him.
“There’s my pledge. I can assure you that I had some bitter things under my tongue when you came in. I have not said them.”
“They could not have hurt more than some of my own thoughts have hurt me. That’s the mistake people make. The whip does not wound so much as compassion.”
“Yes, that’s true. A blow puts our egotism in a temper. I’ll remember that!”
“I am glad that you are Eve’s friend.”