Читать книгу Joe Leslie's Wife; or, a Skeleton in the Closet онлайн

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“Eric, believe me, I dropped the matter then and there—who could look into those eyes—well-springs of truth as you have just observed—and believe deceit rested there?

“The next day I again found it necessary to use the cab in going to the house of my client, and, as I passed my own dwelling, I was somewhat nettled to see the same military-looking gentleman ascending the steps.

“I looked at the time—it was ten exactly, the same hour as on the preceding day.

“Again, that evening, I gave Lillian the opportunity to tell me of her visitor, but she made no mention of it.

“Eric, the demon of jealousy had his birth in my heart in that bitter hour—my wife had a secret from me—she was receiving clandestinely a gentleman whom I did not even know.

“I battled with the fever, heaven knows how terribly, but it conquered me, and although I despised myself for doing so despicable an act I set about watching Lillian.”

The large man buried his face in his hands and groaned aloud in his suffering.