Part 22 (1/2)
And Edward Henry exclailance across the table at Mr Seven Sachs, as who should say: ”And have you too allowed yourself to be dragged into this affair? I really thought you were cleverer Don't you agree with me that we're both fools of the lance Mr Seven Sachs's cale, where for over fifteen hundred nights he had withstood the h three hours and four acts without a single itation
Apparently Miss Rose Euclid could exercise a siren's charm upon nearly all sorts of men But Edward Henry knew one sort of men upon whom she could not exercise it--namely, the sort of men who are born and bred in the Five Towns His instinctive belief in the Five Towns as the sole cradle of hard practical coht by wiles get the better of London and Ao around and about the Five Towns trying to do the siren business, she would pretty soon discover that she was up against so rather special in the way of human nature!
Why, the probability was that these three--Rose Euclid (only a few hours since a glorious naend to him), Carlo Trent, and Mr
Marrier--could not at that moment produce even ten pounds between the to lay fivers! He scornfully pitied theether without pity for Seven Sachs, who had doubtless succeeded in life by sheer accident and knew no more than an infant what to do with his too-easily-earned money
II
”Well,” said Edward Henry, ”shall I tell you what I've decided?”
”Please do!” Rose Euclid entreated him
”I've decided to make you a present ofin with us?” exclaimed Rose, horror-struck
”No, madam”
”But Mr Bryany told us positively you were! He said it was all arranged!”
”Mr Bryany ought to be more careful,” said Edward Henry ”If he doesn't ht lie soht half the option!”
”Well,” said Edward Henry, reasoning ”What _is_ an option? What does itor leave it I'loolasses and said not a word
”Why?” Edward Henry replied ”Simply because I feel I'h I don't understand I shouldn't go the right way about the affair For instance, I should never have guessed byto settle the naot the lease of the land you're going to build it on Then I's to the last ly there's only one proper moment in these theatrical affairs, and that's the very last I' in providence forin providence, but I can't bear to see providence overworked And I've never even tried to be intellectual, and I'htened of poetry plays--”
”But you've not read ly protested
”That is so,” admitted Edward Henry
”Will you read it?”
”Mr Trent,” said Edward Henry, ”I'hed Rose Euclid, with a tragic gesture
”Ruined?” Edward Henry took her up set a squareto lunch to-morrow?” And he looked hard at her
It was a blow She blenched under it