G. But the admiration that you insisted on so strongly a moment
ago? (_Aside._) Oh, I _am_ a brute!
MRS. H. (_Fiercely._) Will _that_ console me for knowing that you will
go to her with the same words, the same arguments, and the--the same
pet names you used to me? And if she cares for you, you two will laugh
over my story. Won't that be punishment heavy enough even for me--
even for me?--And it's all useless. That's another punishment.
CAPT. G. (_Feebly._) Oh, come! I'm not so low as you think.
MRS. H. Not now, perhaps, but you will be. Oh, Pip, if a woman flatters
your vanity, there's nothing on earth that you would not tell her; and
no meanness that you would not do. Have I known you so long without
knowing that?
CAPT. G. If you can trust me in nothing else--and I don't see why I
should be trusted--you can count upon my holding my tongue.
MRS. H. If you denied everything you've said this evening and declared
it was all in fun (_a long pause_), I'd trust you. Not otherwise. All
I ask is, don't tell her my name. _Please_ don't. A man might forget:
a woman never would. (_Looks up table and sees hostess beginning to
collect eyes.
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