The Gay Lord Quex - LightNovelsOnl.com
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SOPHY.
Oh, tell the ladies in the morning, first thing.
QUEX.
[_Again putting a check upon himself._] Ha, ha! Why do you behave in this contemptible way?
SOPHY.
It isn't contemptible.
QUEX.
Isn't it?
SOPHY.
Not under the circ.u.mstances.
QUEX.
What circ.u.mstances?
SOPHY.
[_Hotly._] A wicked man like you engaged to a sweet girl like Miss Muriel!
QUEX.
I see. [_Politely._] You don't approve of the engagement?
SOPHY.
Should think not!
QUEX.
Always done your best to poison Miss Eden's mind against me, I expect?
SOPHY.
Always let her know my opinion of you. And I was right!
QUEX.
Right?
SOPHY.
This very day, poor thing, she was saying how proud she is of you because you've turned over a new leaf for her sake; and I told her what _your_ promises are worth. Yes, I was right! And now I can prove it!
[_He rises; she hastily places herself on the other side of the chair._
QUEX.
Look here! [_Leaning against the table, the chair being between him and_ SOPHY.] What will you take to hold your tongue?
SOPHY.
Nothing.
QUEX.
Oh, but wait. This isn't a matter of a handful of sovereigns. I'll give you a couple of thousand pounds to keep quiet about this.
SOPHY.
No, thank you, my lord.
QUEX.
Four thousand.
SOPHY.
[_Shaking her head._] No.
QUEX.
Five.
SOPHY.
No.
QUEX.
How much?
SOPHY.
Not twenty thousand. I'm extremely comfortably off, my lord, but if I wasn't I wouldn't accept a penny of your money. All I wish is to save Miss Muriel from marrying a--a gentleman who isn't fit for her. And that's what I intend doing.
[_They stand looking at each other for a moment, silently; then he walks away, thoughtfully._
QUEX.
[_In an altered tone._] Come here.
