CONFIDENCE
their leaving us in that heartless manner! It's not the time to run away—it's the time to keep your rooms, if you're so lucky as to have any. The races begin next week, and there'll be a tremendous crowd. All the grand-ducal people are coming. Miss Evers wanted awfully to see the Grand Duke, and I promised her an introduction. I can't make out what Mrs. Vivian is up to. I bet you a ten-pound note she's giving chase. Our friend Wright has come back and gone off again, and Mrs. Vivian means to strike camp and follow. She'll pot him yet; you see if she doesn't!"
"She is running away from you, dangerous man," said Bernard.
"Do you mean on account of Miss Evers? Well, I admire Miss Evers—I don't mind admitting that; but I ain't dangerous," said Captain Lovelock, with a lustreless eye. "How can a fellow be dangerous when he hasn't ten shillings in his pocket? Desperation, do you call it? But Miss Evers hasn't money, so far as I have heard. I don't ask you," Lovelock continued "I don't care a damn whether she has or not. She's a devilish charming girl, and I don't mind telling you I'm hit. I stand no chance—I know I stand no chance. Mrs. Vivian's down on me, and, by Jove, Mrs. Vivian's right. I'm not the sort of husband to pick out for a young woman of expensive habits and no expectations. Gordon Wright's the sort of young man that's wanted, and hang me, if Mrs. Vivian didn't want him so much for her own daughter, I believe she'd try and bag him for the little one. Gad, I believe that to keep me off, she would like to cut him in two and give half to each of them! I'm afraid of that little woman. She has got a little voice like a screwdriver. But for all that, if I could get away from this cursed place, I would keep the girl in sight—
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