Part 36 (2/2)

The Rev. George became thoughtful, and absently put the note in a little rack over the mantelpiece. Then, recollecting that a prying servant or landlady might misinterpret it, he transferred it to his pocket. After breakfast, having satisfied himself before the mirror that his dress was faultless, and his expression saintly, he went out and travelled by rail from Sloane Square to West Kensington, whence he walked to Laurel Grove.

An elderly maid opened the gate. It was a rule with the Rev. George not to look at strange women; and this morning the asceticism which he thought proper to his office was unusually prominent in his thoughts. He did not look up once while the maid conducted him through the shrubbery to the house; and he fully believed that he had not seen at the first glance that she was remarkably plain, as Susanna took care that all her servants should be. Pa.s.sing by the drawing-room, where he had been on a previous occasion, they went on to a smaller apartment at the back of the house.

”What room is this?” he asked, uneasily.

”Missus's Purjin bodoor, sir,” replied the main.

She opened the door; and the clergyman, entering, found himself in a small room, luxuriously decorated in sham Persian, but containing ornaments of all styles and periods, which had been purchased and introduced just as they had caught Susanna's fancy. She was seated on a ottoman, dressed in wide trousers, Turkish slippers, a voluminous sash, a short Greek jacket, a long silk robe with sleeves, and a turban, all of fine soft materials and rare colors. Her face was skilfully painted, and her dark hair disposed so as not to overweight her small head. The clergyman, foolishly resisting a natural impulse to admire her, felt like St. Anthony struggling with the fascination of a disguised devil.

He responded to her smile of welcome by a stiff bow.

”Sit down,” she said. ”You mustnt mind this absurd dress: it belongs to a new piece I am studying. I always study in character. It is the only way to identify myself with my part, you see.”

”It seems a very magnificent dress, certainly,” said the clergyman, nervously.

”Thank you for the compliment----”

”No, no,” said he, hastily. ”I had no such intention.”

”Of course not,” said Susanna, with a laugh. ”It was merely an unpremeditated remark: all compliments are, of course. I know all about that. But do you think it a proper costume?”

”In what sense, may I ask?”

”Is it a correct Eastern dress? I am supposed to be one of the wives of the Caliph Somebody al Something. You have no idea how difficult it is to get a reliable model for a dress before laying out a heap of money on it. This was designed in Paris; but I should like to hear it criticized--chronologically, or whatever you call it--by a scholar.”

”I really do not know, Madam. I am not an Orientalist; and my studies take a widely different direction from yours.”

”Yes, of course,” said Susanna, with a sigh. ”But I a.s.sure you I often wish for your advice, particularly as to my elocution, which is very faulty. You are such a master of the art.”

The clergyman bowed in acceptance of the compliment, and began to take heart; for to receive flattery from ladies in exchange for severe reproof was part of his daily experience.

”I have come here,” he said, ”to have a very serious conversation with you.”

”All right, Doctor. Fire away.”

This sudden whim of conferring on him a degree in divinity, and her change of manner--implying that she had been laughing at him before--irritated him. ”I presume,” he said, ”that you are acquainted with the movements of your brother.”

”Of Ned?” said Susanna, frowning a little. ”No. What should I know about him?”

”He is, I believe, about to be married.”

”No!” screamed Susanna, throwing herself back, and making her bangles and ornaments clatter. ”Get out, Doctor. You dont mean it.”

”Certainly I mean it. It is not my profession to jest. I must also tell you that his marriage will make it quite impossible for you to continue here with my cousin.”

”Why? Who is he going to marry?”

”Ahem! He has succeeded in engaging the affections of my sister.”

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