Page:The Story of the Gadsbys - Kipling (1888).djvu/44

 you in this life? There must be a Hereafter if it's only for the benefit of—but you will have it all to yourself.

(under his eyebrows).—Are you certain of that?

—I shall have had mine in this life; and it will serve me right.

—But the admiration that you insisted on so strongly a moment ago? (Aside.) Oh, I am a brute!

(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.

(feebly).—Oh, come! I'm not so low as you think.

—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 commit. Have I known you so long without knowing that?

—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.

—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.) So it's all ended, through no fault of mine.—Haven't I behaved beautifully? I've accepted your dismissal, and you managed it as cruelly as you could, and I have made you respect my sex, haven't I? (Arranging gloves and fan.) I only pray that she'll know you some day as I know you now. I wouldn't be you then, for I think even your conceit will be hurt. I hope she'll pay you back the humiliation you've brought on me. I hope—No. I don't! I can't give you