And I know she lied!
Then I took to watching her and she me--and so it went on until--there
were times when I could have struck her--choked the truth out of
her--O Perry! So I left her--went to London. Oh damnation, d'ye wonder
I drink? Better drink myself to the devil than harm her--though drink
will take a long time to kill me, I'm afraid--"
"Drink never shall, Tony! There, sit down, old fellow, calm yourself,
for by heaven I think you are making much out of little--"
"Why did she lie to me?"
"Are you sure she did?"
"Certain!"
"What do you propose to do?"
"Go back to London."
"Then I will accompany you."
"Impossible; you're weak as a confounded rabbit!"
"I'm stronger than I look; I've walked regularly in the garden these
last three days. However, if you go to London, I go too."
"Well, and if so--what could you do?"
"Remind you that a gentleman must endure unflinchingly and suffer with
unshaken fortitude."
"Ha, would you preach at me?"
"Day and night, if necessary."
"Would you, begad!"
"I would! Indeed I would make myself a pestilential nuisance to help
my friend."
"Friend!" he repeated. "Oh, curse and confound it, Perry, if I wasn't
such a miserable, hopeless dog, I should be proud of such
friendship--I am proud of it and always shall be--but here our
companionship ends. There's but one course for me, and I intend to
ride to the devil--alone!"
It was at this moment that the door opened and I rose to my feet,
trembling, as Diana stepped into the room.
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