I knew Ideala, and could understand her being over-persuaded. Something
of the kind was what I had always feared for her. But, Lorrimer--what
sort of a man was he? I own that I was strongly prejudiced against him
from the moment she pronounced his name, and all she had told me of him
subsequently only confirmed the prejudice.
"Why was he not there that day to receive you?" I asked at last.
"I don't know," she said. "I quite forgot about that. And I suppose he
forgot too," she added, "since he never told me."
"Oh, Ideala!" I exclaimed, "how like you that is! It is most important
that you should know whether he intended to slight you on that occasion
or not. It is the key to his whole action in this matter."
"But supposing he did mean to be rude? I should have to forgive him,
you know, because I have been rude to him--often. He does not approve
of my conduct always, by any means," she placidly assured me.
"And does he, of all people in the world, presume to sit in judgment
on you?" I answered, indignantly. "I always thought _you_ the most
extraordinary person in the world, Ideala, until I heard of this--
_gentleman_.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235