'I can't help my looks. I don't believe you care how I look.'
'Oh, don't I, though! Why, do you think I'd have stuck to you like
this if I didn't? What was to prevent me from realising all the cash
I could and clearing off, eh? 'Twouldn't have been the first--'
'The first what?' Alice asked sharply.
'Never mind. You see I didn't do it. Too bad to leave the Princess
in the lurch, wouldn't it be?'
Alice seemed to have forgotten the other secret. She searched his
face for a moment, deeply troubled, then asked:
'Willis, I want to know who Clara is?'
He moved his eyes slowly, and regarded her with a puzzled look.
'Clara? What Clara?'
'Somebody you know of. You've got a habit of talking in your sleep
lately. You were calling out "Clara!" last night, and that's the
second time I've heard you.'
He was absent for a few seconds, then laughed and shook his head.
'I don't know anybody called Clara. It's your mistake.'
'I'm quite sure it isn't,' Alice murmured discontentedly.
'Well, then, we'll say it is,' he rejoined in a firmer voice. 'If I
talk in my sleep, perhaps it'll be better for you to pay no
attention. I might find it inconvenient to live with you.'
Alice looked frightened at the threat.
'You've got a great many secrets from me,' she said despondently.
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