My
wish is to remain bad--in fact, I should like to be worse if I knew
how. You would find it hard to make a start. I couldn't even admit
that a state of goodness was desirable!"
She looked at him curiously. The night air was perhaps getting colder,
for she shivered, and drew the rug a little closer around her.
"You speak like a prophet," she remarked.
"A prophet of evil then!"
She looked at him steadfastly. The lightness had gone out of her tone.
"Do you know," she said, "I am almost sorry that I ever knew you?"
He shook his head.
"You can't mean it," he declared.
"Why not?"
"I have done you the greatest service one human being can render
another! I have saved you from being bored!"
She nodded.
"That may be true," she admitted. "But can you conceive no worse state
in the world than being bored?"
"There is no worse state," he answered drily. "I was bored once," he
added, "for ten years or so; I ought to know!"
"Were you married?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"Not quite so bad as that," he answered. "I was in prison!"
She turned a startled face towards him.
"Nonsense!"
"It is perfectly true," he said coolly. "Are you horrified?"
"What did you do?" she asked in a low tone.
"I killed a man."
"Purposely?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
"He attacked me! I had to defend myself."
She said nothing for several moments.
"Shall I go?" he asked.
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