Part 8 (2/2)
”--since, as this betokens--”
”'Tis a tasteful handkerchief,” said Mr. Erwyn--”but somewhat moist!”
”And--my eyes?”
”Red,” said Mr. Erwyn.
”I have been weeping, toad, with my head on the pin-cus.h.i.+on, and the maid trying to tipsify me with brandy.”
”Why?” said Mr. Erwyn.
”I thought you were to marry Dorothy.”
Mr. Erwyn resumed his seat. ”You objected?” he said.
”I think, old monster,” Lady Allonby replied, ”that I would entertain the same objection to seeing any woman thus sacrificed--”
”Well?” said Mr. Erwyn.
”--except--”
”Incomparable Anastasia!” said Mr. Erwyn.
IV
Afterward these two sat long in the twilight, talking very little, and with their eyes rarely meeting, although their hands met frequently at quite irrelevant intervals. Just the graze of a b.u.t.terfly to make it certain that the other was there: but all the while they both regarded the tiny fire which had set each content of the room a-dancing in the companionable darkness. For each, I take it, preferred to think of the other as being still the nave young person each remembered; and the firelight made such thinking easier.
”D'ye remember--?” was woven like a refrain through their placid duo....
It was, one estimates, their highest hour. Frivolous and trivial persons you might have called them and have justified the accusation; but even to the fop and the coquette was granted an hour wherein all human happenings seemed to be ordered by supernal wisdom lovingly. Very soon they would forget this hour; meanwhile there was a wonderful sense of dreams come true.
III
THE CASUAL HONEYMOON
_As Played at Tunbridge Wells, April 1, 1750_
”_But this is the most cruel thing, to marry one does not know how, nor why, nor wherefore.--Gad, I never liked anybody less in my life. Poor woman!--Gad, I'm sorry for her, too; for I have no reason to hate her neither; but I wish we could keep it secret! why, I don't believe any of this company would speak of it._”
DRAMATIS PERSONae
CAPTAIN AUDAINE, of a pompous and handsome person, and loves Miss Allonby.
LORD HUMPHREY DEGGE, younger son to the Marquis of Venour, makes love to Miss Allonby.
GERALD ALLONBY, brother to Miss Allonby, a true raw Squire.
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