A flame of anger appeared for a second in the man’s eyes, his face grew white, but he mastered himself, and answered quietly enough:
"I was not going to send it, Lucy; that cheque was written six weeks ago. I forgot to date it, as I usually do my letters or cheques. The money was refused."
"Forgot? Refused? That sort of woman refuse money? You expect me to believe a wild, improbable tale like that. Oh, but I understand, though you think any lie is good enough for a poor trusting fool of a wife to believe. And it was, Hector, but—but not now."
"Wait, I’ve not finished. It’s true that cheque was refused, but I insisted, and wrote another the same night, did not forget the date, and this time it ... was accepted."
"And you tell this to me, you stand there and own your vileness?"
"Yes, for I wish to tell you the truth, Lucy."
"Spare yourself the trouble. I don’t believe you."
"As you please then, I don’t care. Five minutes ago I did, but now——" He stopped suddenly and, turning away, stood with his back towards her, and then, the devil fought under, tried once more: "Lucy, won’t you hear me, if not for my sake, then for ... Ruby’s? I did lie to you that first night, or rather I let you believe what was not true, but my nerves were all to pieces, and I couldn’t think or speak. I’ll tell you the whole story now. It was for that I came out here."
"Yes, now that you’re found out and caught."
The devil conquered. "Found out," before the fury in his voice Lucy’s died, and fear sprang to life, "what do I care what you find out? I do love this woman. I thought just now I did not, but I was a fool, I do. I love her as I’ve never loved you, and—and I’m going back to her now."
"Hector, you’re mad. You can’t, you shall not—Hector?"
"You’re too late, I came out with the full intention of telling you all, and, cur that I was ... giving her up. Oh, it was not for your sake, don’t think it; it was for..." A spasm contorted his face for a moment, but in an instant passed, and he went on:
"Yes, for the first time in my life I was weak, but of that weakness you’ve cured me, and given me back my strength, and for that, my wife, I thank you. No more puling sentiment now for me; no more ’mummy and daddy’—hell’s curse on you all!—but love ... life..."