"I'd love to," she said impulsively.
"At least with me you'd be safe."
"But not too safe, I hope?"
"I'd treat you," he said, "as though you were my own wife."
"That would be safe enough," said she.
Chapter III
In Peoria they stopped at the Hotel Niagara. At last Louella Leota was far enough away so that she could breathe easily. She had no regrets over her attack on John Rott. He had made his living by exploiting women. If he were really dead some undertaker could make his living exploiting him, but she doubted that he would not recover. A rat, like a cat, has nine lives. They take an awful lot of killing.
Now she was free of John Rott. Ruthlessly in the future she decided she would cast men aside as soon as they had served their purpose. When she had no longer any use for them, they must be shunted away.
She was heartily sick of Ed Trine already. He talked incessantly about himself. She appreciated what he had done for her but she considered she owed him nothing. She had done much for him in return.
That night he suggested they have supper in their room. She acquiesced at once. It worked in well with her plans. As they sat sipping their coffee, he said abruptly: "Louella, I adore you!"
"The words are lovely," she drawled; "do you know the music?"
"I love you!"
"It sounds very much like a comic opera."
"I am serious."
"So that's what makes you look that way."
"You mean more to me than any woman I have ever known."
"Is that a proposal of marriage?" she asked archly.
"I don't believe in marriage."
18
