I was
answered. The woman might never be mine, but she had never been his,
either. I turned away. I was triumphant, but I loathed myself. I was
sick with the situation, and the man who had brought me to it.
"You may keep your kisses, monsieur," I said savagely. "You may keep
them. But if you mention them to me again I shall throttle you where
you stand."
The Englishman had felt the revulsion, and he showed no resentment of
my heat. He heaved himself up in the hot, horrible sunshine and rubbed
his hands as if washing them free.
"We are curs," he said quietly.
I could not say nay. "We must eat," I cautioned; "we must eat, and
keep ourselves sane. If we can get through this day without murder or
worse, we shall have work to do from now on that will serve to keep our
heads clear. Pierre will be coming soon now."
Starling was regarding me keenly. "You lose your temper, and therefore
you should be easy to read," he said reflectively. "But you are not.
You evidently married my cousin for convenience. I can understand the
situation. But you stand by your bargain well. You have the honor of
your name somewhat sensitively at heart. But if you had not married
her---- If there were no compulsion, no outside reason--tell me, would
you marry her now?"
But that I left unanswered.
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