"
Aynesworth glanced at the person in question. He was a theatrical
agent and financier of stock companies, whom he knew very well by
sight.
"I suppose," Wingrave continued, "that I was born with the usual moral
sentiments, and the usual feelings of kinship towards my fellow
creatures. Circumstances, however, have wholly destroyed them. To me,
men have become the puppets and women the dancing dolls of life. My
interest in them, if it exists at all, is malevolent. I should like to
see them all suffer exactly as I have suffered. It would interest me
exceedingly."
Still Aynesworth remained silent. He was anxious to hear all that was
in the other's mind, and he feared lest any interruption might divert
him.
"There are men in the world," Wingrave continued, "called
philanthropists, amiable, obese creatures as a rule, whose professed
aim in life it is to do as much good as possible. I take my stand upon
the other pole. It is my desire to encourage and to work as much evil
as possible. I wish to bring all the suffering I can upon those who
come within the sphere of my influence."
"You are likely," Aynesworth remarked, "to achieve popularity."
Wingrave regarded him steadfastly.
"Your speech," he said, "is flippant, but you yourself do not realize
how near it comes to the truth. Human beings are like dogs--they are
always ready to lick the hand that flogs them. I mean to use the
scourge whenever I can seize the opportunity, but you will find the
jackals at my heels, nevertheless, whenever I choose to whistle.
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