And when you found I was
not to be so easily bought as you imagined, you asked me if I were human.
I replied to you that I was human, and not above temptation. Since then
you have been trying--very hard--to find a means to tempt me. But--so
far--you have overlooked the most obvious means of all. You have told
me twice over that you will do anything in your power. Do you
mean--literally--that?"
He was addressing the face in the glass, and still his look was almost
brutally emotionless. It seemed to measure, to appraise. She met it for
a few seconds, and then in spite of herself she flinched.
"Will you tell me what you mean?" she said in a low voice.
He turned round to her again.
"Why did you come here yourself?" he said. "And at night?"
She was trembling.
"I had to come myself--as soon as I knew. I hoped to persuade you."
"You thought," he said mercilessly, "that, however I might treat others,
I could never resist you."
"I hoped--to persuade you," she said again.
"By--tempting--me?" he said slowly.
She gave a great start. "Mr. Field--"
He put out a quiet hand, and laid it upon her bare arm.
"Wait a moment, please! As I said before, I am not above
temptation--being human. You take a very personal interest in Burleigh
Wentworth, I think?"
She met his look with quivering eyelids.
"Yes," she said.
"Are you engaged to him?" he pursued.
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