His natural impulse was to
defy her; but it struck him that a great many things might happen in a
few months; so at last he said, humbly, "I consent. I have been to
blame. Only I'd rather pay you this money in some other way."
"My way, or none."
"Very well, then, I will bring it you as you say."
"Mind you do, then," said Mary Wells, and turned haughtily on her heel.
Bassett never ventured to absent himself at the hour, and, at first,
the blackmail was delivered and received with scarcely a word; but
by-and-by old habits so far revived that some little conversation took
place.
Then, after a while, Bassett used to tell her he was unhappy, and she
used to reply she was glad of it.
Then he began to speak slightingly of his wife, and say what a fool he
had been to marry a poor, silly nonentity, when be might have wedded a
beauty.
Mary Wells, being intensely vain, listened with complacency to this,
although she replied coldly and harshly.
By-and-by her natural volubility overpowered her, and she talked to
Bassett about herself and Huntercombe House, but always with a secret
reserve.
Later--such is the force of habit--each used to look forward with
satisfaction to the Saturday meeting, although each distrusted and
feared the other at bottom.
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