Supposing your wife died, wouldn't you be tortured by remorse?"
He did not answer, and I waited for some time for him to
speak. At last I had to break the silence myself.
"What have you to say to that?"
"Only that you're a damned fool."
"At all events, you can be forced to support your wife and
children," I retorted, somewhat piqued. "I suppose the law
has some protection to offer them."
"Can the law get blood out of a stone? I haven't any money.
I've got about a hundred pounds."
I began to be more puzzled than before. It was true that his
hotel pointed to the most straitened circumstances.
"What are you going to do when you've spent that?"
"Earn some."
He was perfectly cool, and his eyes kept that mocking smile
which made all I said seem rather foolish. I paused for a
little while to consider what I had better say next. But it
was he who spoke first.
"Why doesn't Amy marry again? She's comparatively young, and
she's not unattractive. I can recommend her as an excellent wife.
If she wants to divorce me I don't mind giving her the
necessary grounds."
Now it was my turn to smile.
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