"Wilkie Collins - The Evil Genius" - читать интересную книгу автора (Collins Wilkie)

will you take to drink?"
"Nothing, thank you. I want to know if you have heard anything lately of James
Bellbridge?"
The landlord was a popular person in his own circle--not accustomed to restrain
himself when he saw his way to a joke. "Here's constancy!" he said. "She's sweet
on James, after having jilted him twelve years ago!"
Mrs. Westerfield replied with dignity. "I am accustomed to be treated
respectfully," she replied. "I wish you good-morning."
The easy landlord pressed her back into her chair. "Don't be a fool," he said;
"James is in London--James is staying in my house. What do you think of that?"
Mrs. Westerfield's bold gray eyes expressed eager curiosity and interest. "You
don't mean that he is going to be barman here again?"
"No such luck, my dear; he is a gentleman at large, who patronizes my house."
Mrs. Westerfield went on with her questions.
"Has he left America for good?"
"Not he! James Bellbridge is going back to New York, to open a saloon (as they
call it) in partnership with another man. He's in England, he says, on business.
It's my belief that he wants money for this new venture on bad security. They're
smart people in New York. His only chance of getting his bills discounted is to
humbug his relations, down in the country."
"When does he go to the country?"
"He's there now."
"When does he come back?"
"You're determined to see him, it appears. He comes back to-morrow."
"Is he married?"
"Aha! now we're coming to the point. Make your mind easy. Plenty of women have
set the trap for him, but he has not walked into it yet. Shall I give him your
love?"
"Yes," she said, coolly. "As much love as you please."
"Meaning marriage?" the landlord inquired.
"And money," Mrs. Westerfield added.
"Lord Le Basque's money."
"Lord Le Basque's money may go to the Devil!"
"Hullo! Your language reminds me of the time when you were a barmaid. You don't
mean to say you have had a fortune left you?"
"I do! Will you give a message to James?"
"I'll do anything for a lady with a fortune."
"Tell him to come and drink tea with his old sweetheart tomorrow, at six
o'clock."
"He won't do it."
"He will."
With that difference of opinion, they parted.
6.--The Brute.
To-morrow came--and Mrs. Westerfield's faithful James justified her confidence
in him.
"Oh, Jemmy, how glad I am to see you! You dear, dear fellow. I'm yours at last."

"That depends, my lady, on whether I want you. Let go of my neck."
The man who entered this protest against imprisonment in the arms of a fine
woman, was one of the human beings who are grown to perfection on English soil