“ What’s the meaning of this, ma’am? Don’t get trying any little games upon me,” said I, in my roughest way—and I can put it on rough when I like. “It’ll be the worse for you if you play me any trick,” I added, showing her my knife.
“ I will play you no trick,” said she. “On the contrary, I am your friend, and I wish to help you.”
“ Excuse me, ma’am, but I find it hard to believe that,” said I. “Why should you wish to help me?”
“ I have my own reasons,” said she; and then suddenly, with those black eyes blazing out of her white face: “It’s because I hate him, hate him, hate him! Now you understand.”
I remembered what the landlord had told me, and I did understand. I looked at her Ladyship’s face, and I knew that I could trust her. She wanted to revenge herself upon her husband.
