Part 13 (1/2)
”An unknown quant.i.ty.”
”And a lover to his promises.”
”A book of jokes.” Marion had developed a taste for satire.
”Which reminds me of Lady Halwood and Mrs. Lambert. Lady Halwood was more impertinent than usual the other day at the Sinclairs' show, and had a little fling at Mrs. Lambert. The talk turned on gowns. Lady Halwood was much interested at once. She has a weakness that way. 'Why,'
said she, 'I like these fas.h.i.+ons this year, but I'm not sure that they suit me. They're the same as when the Queen came to the throne.' 'Well,'
said Mrs. Lambert sweetly, 'if they suited you then--' There was an audible t.i.tter, and Mrs. Lambert had an enemy for life.”
”I don't see the point of your story in this connection.”
”No? Well, it was merely to suggest that if you had to live up to this scheme of four-years' probation, other people besides lovers would make up books of jokes, and--”
”That's like a man--to threaten.”
”Yes, I threaten--on my knees.”
”Hume, how long do you think Frank will have to wait?”
They were sitting where they had a good view of the husband and wife, and Vidall, after a moment, said: ”I don't know. She has waited four years, too; now it looks as if, like Jacob, she was going to gather in her shekels of interest compounded.”
”It isn't going to be a bit pleasant to watch.”
”But you won't be here to see.”
Marion ignored the suggestion. ”She seems to have hardened since he came yesterday. I hardly know her; and yet she looks awfully worn to-night, don't you think?”
”Yes, as if she had to keep a hand on herself. But it'll come out all right in the end, you'll see.”
”Yes, of course; but she might be sensible and fall in love with Frank at once. That's what she did when--”
”When she didn't know man.”
”Yes, but where would you all be if we women acted on what we know of you?”
”On our knees chiefly, as I am. Remember this, Marion, that half a sinner is better than no man.”
”You mean that no man is better than half a saint?”
”How you must admire me!”
”Why?”
”As you are about to name the day, I a.s.sume that I'm a whole saint in your eyes.”
”St. Augustine!”
”Who was he?”
”A man that reformed.”