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Chapter 14

           "AnunpleasantendforHelena,CountessofElton"—hesaid,whenwewereinourbrougham,drivingaway—"Paralysisisperhapstheworstofallthephysicalpunishmentsthatcanbefalla‘rapid’lady."

           "Wasshe‘rapid’?"

           "Well—perhaps‘rapid’istoomildaterm,butIcanfindnoother;"—heanswered—"Whenshewasyoung—sheisbarelyfiftynow—shedideverythingthatcouldbedonebywomanatherworstandwildest.Shehadscoresoflovers—andIbelieveoneofthemclearedoffherhusband’sturf-debts—theEarlconsentinggladly—onaratherpressingoccasion."

           "Whatdisgracefulconduct!"Iexclaimed.

           Helookedatmewithanexpressionofcynicalamusement.

           "Thinkso?The‘upperten’quitecondonethatsortofthingintheirownsetnow-a-days.Itisallright.Ifaladyhaslovers,andherhusbandbeamsbenevolenceonthesituationwhatcanbesaid?Nothing.Howverytenderyourconscienceis,Geoffrey!"

           Isatsilent,thinking.Mycompanionlitacigaretteandofferedmeone.Itookitmechanicallywithoutlightingit.

           "Imadeamistakethisevening,"—hewenton—"Ishouldnothavesungthat‘LastLove-song.’Thefactis,thewordswerewrittenbyoneofherladyship’sformeradmirers,amanwhowassomethingofapoetinhisway—andshehadanideathatshewastheonlypersonlivingwhohadeverseenthelines.ShewantedtoknowifIknewthemanwhocomposedthem,andIwasabletosaythatIdid—veryintimately.

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