[87] 
wretch !  To tell me about travail and labour and 
that rubbish-besides, a really nice God would keep 
his 
smoking-room 
jokes 
to 
himself 
another 
time.  And the brute never made love either.  I’ll be 
even with him one day.  I do wish this hole 
wouldn’t itch.  Rubbing’s no good-oh !  It’s better 
when I rub hard.  There !  It’s started again now 
I’ve left off.  I’ll rub harder this time.  Ah !  Adam !  
Adam ! — Ha !  I thought I was with Adam — Oh, 
how lovely ! ”  And she gave a delicious little sigh. 
“ Pardon this intrusion, Duchess, pray ” said a 
new voice, in the well-bred deferential manner that 
is so characteristic of diplomats.  “ But is it the 
third Wednesday, is it not ? ” 
“ My dear Prince, how good of you to come.  I 
was just hoping some one would drop in and cheer 
me up.  This move has left me quite a wreck.” 
“ Ah !  Duchess, you are more beautiful than 
ever.” 
“ Bad man — ” 
“ Yes, and deserve a better husband.” 
“ Adam is as good as — ” 
“ But his poor health.  He’s had a cold ever 
since he left Eden, this climate is so terribly uncer-
tain.” 
“ Yes, he’s not very strong, poor man.” 
“ He gets tired easily.” 
“ Yes ” with a sigh. 
“ I see you have been doing your best to supply 
his place.”  For Eve had not changed her position 
during this interview, and her moist fingers still 
played among the golden hair. 
“ Oh !  I didn’t mean to.” 
“ Ah !  Duchess, what a pity — and what a sur-
prise ! ” 
“ Yes, it did feel like it.  But really, Prince, 
you’re as inquisitive as that rude old Lord God.” 
“ You are not offended with me ? ”