Part 19 (1/2)
Denzil was gazing into the fire, and there was a look of wonderment and even rapture upon his face.
”Oh! No--rather splendid--” He felt quite the strangest emotion he had ever experienced in his life. His usual serene self-confidence and easy flow of words deserted him, and Verisschenzko, watching him, began to link certain things in his mind.
”Tell me, what did you think of your cousin, Lady Ardayre?” he asked casually, as though the subject was irrelevant.
”Amaryllis?” and Denzil almost started from a reverie. ”Oh, yes, of course, she is a lovely creature, is not she, Stepan?”
Verisschenzko narrowed his eyes.
”I have told you that I adore her--but with the spirit--if it were not so, she would appeal very strongly to the flesh--Yes?--Did you not feel it?”
”I did.”
”Well?”
”Well--”
”She is longing to understand life, she is groping; why do you not set about her education, Denzil?”
”That is the husband's business.”
”Not in this case. I consider it is yours; you are the right mate for her. John Ardayre is a good fellow, but he stands for nothing in the affair. Why did you waste your time upon Harietta, when time is so short?”
”I was given no choice.”
”But afterwards, in the hall?”
It was quite evident to Verisschenzko that the mention of Amaryllis was causing his friend some unexplainable emotion.
”You did not even exert yourself, then. Why, Denzil?”
Denzil lit a cigarette.
”I thought her awfully attractive--it is the first time I have ever seen her--as you know.”
”And that was a reason for remaining silent and as stiff as a poker in manner! You English are a strange race!”
Denzil smiled--if Stepan only knew everything, what would he say!
”You were made for each other. If I were you, I would not lose a second's time!”
”My dear old boy, you seem quite to forget that the girl has a husband of her own!”
”Not at all, it is for that reason--just because of that husband. I shall say no more, you are quite intelligent enough to understand.”
”You think it is all right then for a woman to have a lover?” Denzil smiled as he curled rings of smoke. ”It is curious how the most honourable among us has not much conscience concerning such things.”
Verisschenzko knocked off his cigarette ash and spoke contemplatively:
”The world would be an insupportable place for women, if he had! But whatever the moral aspect of the matter is in general, circ.u.mstances arise which alter the point, and that is where the absurd ticketing system hampers suitable action. A thing is ticketed 'dishonourable.'