She struggled in that one mad second, and tried to kiss him. She could
not--she could not bring herself to the act.
He laughed sardonically. The devil himself could not have laughed liked
that.
"Some women could have done it," he told her, sternly. "But not you, my
dear...." Fury and sarcasm were in his tone. "So! That's it, is it? And I
stand blindly by while you and he ..."
Utter madness seemed to rush upon him.
Lucia had backed to the table. "No! I can't. You--you brute!"
Pell watched her, steadily. "Do you think I am a fool? Or that you are more
than human?" he cried out.
"I swear to God!" she contradicted him.
"Ha! You've had your turn, my lady! Now, it's mine! And after all I've done
for you, you ungrateful hussy!"
The clock struck three. It seemed an eternity until the little bell ceased.
Her life with him swam before her in that brief period. All she could utter
was:
"What are you going to do?" And she clutched her hands in helplessness,
for she read some sinister purpose in his voice.
"I'm going to do what I once saw another sensible husband do under these
circumstances."
Lucia's face was ashen now. "What is that?"
A second's pause.
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