Lucas.  Wronged?

Agnes.  Your wife; the woman I have wronged, who came here tonight, and —­spared me.  Oh, go!

Lucas.  Not like this, Agnes! not like this!

Agnes. [Appealingly.] Gertrude! [Lucas looks round—­first at Gertrude then at Amos—­and, with a hard smile upon his face, turns to go.  Suddenly Agnes touches his sleeve.] Lucas, when you have learnt to pray again, I will remember you, every day of my life.

Lucas. [Staring at her.] Pray! . . . you! . . .

[She inclines her head twice, slowly; without another word he walks away and goes out.  Agnes sinks upon the settee; Amos and Gertrude remain, stiffly and silently, in the attitude of people who are waiting for the departure of a disagreeable person.]

St. Olpherts. [After watching Lucas’s departure.] Now I wonder whether, if he hurried to his wife at this moment, repentant, and begged her to relent—­I wonder whether—­whether she would—­whether—­[looking at Amos and Gertrude, a little disconcerted]—­I beg your pardon—­You’re not interested?

Amos.  Frankly, we are not.

St. Olpherts.  No; other people’s affairs are tedious. [Producing his gloves.] Well!  A week in Venice—­and the weather has been delightful. [Shaking hands with Gertrude, whose expression remains unchanged.] A pleasant journey! [Going to Agnes, offering his hand.] Mrs. Ebbsmith—? [She lifts her maimed hand.] Ah!  An accident? [She nods wearily.] I’m sorry . . .  I . . .

[He turns away and goes out, bowing to Amos as he passes.]

***End of the project gutenberg EBOOK the notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith***

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