“Well, I told him I recognised my debt, and should pay him,” I said.
Bob folded the papers, and returned them to his pocket. His mouth and
eyes were set in a kind of suffering smile.
“You may know best how to play your hand for yourself,” he said. “God
preserve your partner, that’s all.”
“What have you to fear?”
“Your prudence, first of all--not a very trustworthy asset, if one may
judge by your apparent confidence in your fellow-lodgers.”
“O! him that looked in!” I said. “I will answer there with my life.”
He raised his eyebrows.
“Yes, that is the point,” said he. “Do you quite realise what you have
done, Diana?”
“O, quite!”
“Well, that is a comfort. It gives me a sort of confidence in my
future. So long as I can be played as live-bait for your capture, I
shall be spared, no doubt.”