After all there is no harm done; they can't hurt us much now. It is
not here the game will be played out. Now tell me, when does your ship
sail?"
"It wants just five weeks to a day."
"Does she take up her passengers at ---- as usual?"
"Yes, Eve, yes."
"And Mrs. Bazalgette lives within a mile or two of ----. You have a
good excuse for accepting her invitation. Stay your last week in her
house. There will be no Talboys to come between you. Do all a man can
do to win her in that week."
"I will."
"And if she says 'No,' be man enough to tear her out of your heart."
"I can't tear her out of my heart, but I will win her. I must win her.
I can't live without her. A month to wait!"
Mr. Talboys. "Well, sir, what do you say now?"
Mr. Fountain (hypocritically). "I say that your sagacity was
superior to mine; forgive me if I have brought you into a mortifying
collision. To be defeated by a merchant sailor!" He paused to see the
effect of his poisoned shaft.
Talboys. "But I am not defeated. I will not be defeated. It is
no longer a personal question. For your sake, for her sake, I must
save her from a degrading connection. I will accompany you to Mrs.
Bazalgette's. When shall we go?"
"Well, not immediately; it would look so odd. The old one would smell
a rat directly. Suppose we say in a month's time."
"Very well; I shall have a clear stage."
"Yes, and I shall then use all my influence with her. Hitherto I have
used none.
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