Part 40 (1/2)

”You look for signs that only children shew. When an oak dies, it does not wither and fall at once as a sapling does. Perhaps you will one day know what it is to love.”

”Perhaps so.”

”In any case, you will be able to boast of having inspired the pa.s.sion.”

”I hope so--at least, I mean that it is all nonsense. Do look at that vegetable lobster of a thing, that cactus.”

”In order to set off its ugliness properly, you should see yourself against the background of palms, with that great fan-like leaf for a halo, and----”

”Thank you. I see it all in my mind's eye by your eloquent description.

You are quite right in supposing that I like compliments; but I am particular about their quality; and I dont need to be told I am pretty in comparison with a hideous cactus. You would not have condescended to make such a speech long ago. You are changed.”

”Not toward you, on my honor.”

”I did not mean that: I meant toward yourself.”

”I am glad you have taken even that slender note of me. I find you somewhat changed, too.”

”I did not know that I shewed it; but it is true. I feel as if Marian Lind was a person whom I knew once, but whom I should hardly know again.”

”The change in me has not produced that effect. I feel as though Marian Lind were the history of my life.”

”You have become quite a master of the art of saying pretty things. You are nearly as glib at it as Ned.”

”We have the same incentive to admiration.”

”The same! You do not suppose that Ned pays _me_ compliments. He never did such a thing in his life. No: I first discovered his talent in that direction at Palermo, where I surprised him in an animated discourse with the dark-eyed daughter of an innkeeper there. That was the first conversation in Italian I succeeded in following. A week later I could understand the language almost as well as he. However, dont let us waste the whole afternoon talking stuff. I want to ask you about your mother.

I should greatly like to call upon her; but she has never made me any sign since my marriage; and Mrs. Leith Fairfax tells me that she never allows my name to be mentioned to her. I thought she was fond of me.”

”So she was. But she has never forgiven you for making me suffer as you did. You see she has more spirit than I. She would be angered if she saw me now tamely following the triumphal chariot of my fair tyrant.”

”Seriously, do you think, if I made a raid on Manchester Square some morning, I could coax back her old feeling for me?”

”I think you will be quite safe in calling, at all events. Tell me what day you intend to venture. I know my mother will not oppose me if I shew that I wish you to be kindly received.”

”Most disinterested of you. Thank you: I will fail or succeed on my own merits, not on your recommendation. You must not say a word to her about me or my project.”

”If you command me not to----”

”I do command you.”

”I must obey. But I fear that the more submissive I am, the more imperious you will become.”

”Very likely. And now look along that avenue to the left. Do you see a man in a brown suit, with straw hat to match, walking towards us at a regular pace, and keeping in a perfectly straight course? He looks at everybody he pa.s.ses as if he were counting them.”

”He is looking back at somebody now, as if he had missed the number.”

”Just so; but that somebody is a woman; doubtless a pretty one, probably dark. You recognize him, I see. There is a frost come over you which convinces me that you are preparing to receive him in your old ungracious way. I warn you that I am accustomed to see Ned made much of.

He has caught sight of us.”