She motioned him to proceed.

"You've cost me dear enough, as money goes, for you've gotten into
my brain, somehow. I was never foolish over women until I met you,
but you made me lose my grip on things, and indirectly I paid
high. I didn't care, though. I was glad. I wanted you at any
price. I tried to change the world around to suit me, and--now
you've spoiled it all."

"That blackmail cost you something, didn't it?" He agreed,
carelessly.

"And your wife's divorce will cost a lot more, won't it? You've
squandered quite a fortune on me, too, haven't you?"

He was too bewildered by her expression to do more than stare.

"No woman could totally ruin you; you're too rich for that, but
you're hit hard inside, so I guess the price is high enough."
Lilas nodded with satisfaction. "Thank God, I'm through, and
you'll never paw me over again!"

"I don't understand. What are you getting at?"

"I'll tell you. I never intended to marry you, Jarvis."

He started as if she had struck him.

"That's what I said," she reaffirmed, "and I'll tell you why. Look