"Always."
"Not in this case."
"I realize I shall have to work hard on it."
"And bring no results. I am going down now. And please do not bring me here again on false pretences. I shall not come. You may take what revenge you like. I am not coming when you beckon."
"Then I shall have to resort to pleading."
"Nothing will make me come here again."
"Don't make rash vows, Cordelia, because you are the sort of woman who would hate to break them. Come and sit down. I promise I won't kiss you, touch you, or do anything which could cause offence while we talk."
"Please say what you have to say and say it quickly."
"You are a very attractive girl. You have all the social graces. After all, didn't you spend-how many years was it?-at that place in Switzerland? Perhaps it has done something. I don't know. I suppose that firmness of character, that unswerving desire to do what is right, were there all the time. What they have done is turn you into a young lady who would grace any circles."
"Well?"
"Even a place like this."
"Really!" I said with sarcasm.
"I mean it."
"Then I am indeed flattered, and on that note I will take my departure."
"I have not finished yet and, as you have learned at that magnificent place whose name for the moment escapes me, young ladies do not move away when their hosts are speaking to them. They stay and listen and appear to be animated; in fact they give the impression of paying attention even though their thoughts are far away. Is that correct?"
"It is."
"Then follow the rules of the school. I might even marry you."
"Really, sir. Your condescension overwhelms me. But I should have to decline."
"Why?"
"I should have thought that was obvious, and polite young ladies never talk of unpleasant matters."
"Look at this place. You would be in your element. After all what was the business of Schaffenbrucken if not to prepare you to take your place at the head of some rich man's table?"
"So you have remembered the name. I am so glad. That was indeed the purpose of Schaffenbrucken, but there are always the rogue pupils who are meant for another destiny."
"You mean school teaching?"
"In some cases, obviously, yes.
"Don't be foolish, Cordelia. You are not going to teach silly girls all your life, are you? Are you going to be another Miss Hetherington?"
"Miss Hetherington is a very great lady. If I were like her, I should think I had done rather well."
"Nonsense. You're not a schoolmarm underneath. Don't think I don't know women."
"I think you know a great deal about them ... physically. Mentally I imagine you know very little. Certainly you do not seem to know much about me."
"You'd be surprised. You are at the moment the virgin schoolmistress ... prim, clinging to conventions, completely ignorant of the world. My dear Cordelia, beneath that schoolmistress is a passionate woman eager to escape ... to life."
I laughed and he laughed with me, but he said with feigned reproach: "You find me amusing?"
"Very. And I know your interest in me is directed to one goal."
"You are right."
"And that goal is seduction. Do you have formulae? This one for Marcia Martindale. This for Miss Lyons. Now here is Cordelia Grant. Which number for her?"
"You are very cynical. Don't you give me credit for any deep feelings?"
"No."
"My dear girl, you do delight me, you know. Really, I would marry you."
"Aren't you being rather rash. A penniless schoolmistress ..."
"I have no need of money."
"Nor have I. I am content with what I have. So you see it is no use your bringing me here and in your satanic manner showing me the riches which would be mine."
"Everyone likes riches."
"One can do much with money, yes. But in this case think of the price one would have to pay to be Lady Verringer, and grace your halls. You!"
"You are unconvincing. You are trembling with excitement at the prospect."
"That's not excitement," I retorted. "It's rage." I rose but he gripped my arm firmly and forced me to sit down.
"You know my problem. I need an heir. A son ..." "I have heard that mentioned too."
"I want a son. I would marry you if you would give me a son."
I stared at him incredulously and then I said: "Oh ... I understand now. You want proof before you commit yourself. How wise! Other people marry and hope for children, but that is not the way of the Verringers. Am I right?" I burst out laughing. "I can't help it," I went on. "I just pictured your chosen women ... kept at Rooks' Rest until they showed what they could do. Like a harem or a Restoration play perhaps. Imagine it."
He was trying not to laugh but he couldn't help it and for a moment we gave ourselves up to our mirth.
I said: "It will be most amusing. At present you only have one there. That's very tame. I can see them all in various stages. Who shall produce the boy and win the prize? Poor Marcia. Hers was only a girl. What a shame!"
I had seized the opportunity and made for the door. He was there before me and stood with his back to it facing me.
He said: "Cordelia, I want you. I fall more and more in love with you every time we meet. It's important to me."
He stood aside and I tried to open the door. It was locked.
I turned to him; he was smiling at me and I thought: Yes, indeed, they are sons of the devil. I was really frightened now because I saw the purpose in his face, and I knew he was even capable ... of this.
"Well," he said, mockingly. "What now?"
"You will open this door," I said, trying to sound firm but being somewhat unconvincing I was afraid. "No, Miss Grant, I will not."
"Let me out of here at once."
"No, Miss Grant."
"You lured me up here."
"You came willingly with my housekeeper. "What is she ... a sort of procuress?"
"She is obedient to my wishes as I expect all my servants to be. You are not so cairn now, are you, Cordelia? Do I sense little tremors of expectation? I will show you what you were meant to be. We'll call forth that wonderful passionate woman. We'll let her sweep aside the prim schoolmistress."
"You will let me out of here at once."
He shook his head. "I have wanted you for a long time. I wanted you ... willing."
"Willing? Do you think ...?"
"Once you really know how happy I can make you, yes. But you are rather stubborn, aren't you. That schoolmistress façade is quite formidable. I began to see that I should have to help you break out."
With trembling hands I looked at the watch which was pinned to my blouse.
"Always the time!" he said. "What do we care for time on occasions like this?"
"I should be leaving now."
"Not yet."
"Don't you realize ...?"
"I realize one thing. It obsesses me. I want you and if you are so stubborn as to turn away from what is the best thing for you, I shall have to insist on bringing you to reason."
"I hate you," I said. "Can't you see that. You expect every woman to fall into your arms. Not this one. And if you dare touch me, you are acting like a criminal and I shall see that you are punished for it."
"What fire!" he taunted. "What rage! Cordelia, you and I are lovers ..."
"Haters for my part," I spat out.
"If you are going to fight ... fight. But you will soon see how much stronger I am than you. Come, let me take your coat. You look flushed and overheated. My dear love, Cordelia, you are going to be so happy ... We both are."
He was forcing me out of my coat. I kicked out at him and he laughed.
"Are you really capable of this?" I stammered. "I am not one of your servants, you know, or one of your tenants who are afraid to stand up to you. My family will avenge this and so will I. Rape is not within the law, Jason Verringer, even for men like you."