Part 127 (2/2)
He lowered his eyes, feeling almost guilty.
”But in what way?”
”As if you wanted to know something, as if--have you changed towards me?”
”My dear Adela! What a question from you after all these years!”
”You might change.”
”Nonsense, my dear.”
”No, no, it is not! Anyone may change. We are all incalculable.”
”Give me some tea now. And let me tell you my news.”
She sat down again, but her luminous eyes were still fixed on him, and there was an almost terrified expression in them.
”You haven't seen--him?” she asked.
”Yes.”
”You have! I felt it! He has said something about me, something horrible!”
”Adela, do you really think I would take an opinion of you from a blackguard like that?”
”Please tell me everything,” she said.
She looked painfully agitated, and something in her agitation made him feel very tender, for it gave her in his eyes a strange semblance of youthfulness. Yes, despite all she had done, all the years she had lived through, there was something youthful in her still. Perhaps it was that which persistently held out hands to youth! The thought struck him and the tenderness was lessened in his eyes.
”Seymour, you are hiding something from me,” she said.
”Adela, give me a little time! I am going to tell you my news.”
”Yes, yes, please do!”
”I want my tea,” he said, with a smile.
”Oh, I beg your pardon!”
”How young you are!” he said.
”Young! How can you say such a thing?”
”Now really, Adela! As if I could ever be sarcastic with you!”
”That remark could only be sarcastic.”
He sipped his tea.
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