Prev | Current Page 124 | Next

Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937

"The Greater Inclination"

M. train. Lewis Darley to-night, by Fall River boat. John Oberville,
from Boston at five P.M. Why, I didn't know--
_Warland (excitedly)_. John Oberville? John Oberville? Here? To-day at
five o'clock? Let me see--let me look at the list. Are you sure you're not
mistaken? Why, she never said a word! Why the deuce didn't you tell me?
_Isabel_. I didn't know.
_Warland_. Oberville--Oberville--!
_Isabel_. Why, what difference does it make?
_Warland_. What difference? What difference? Don't look at me as if you
didn't understand English! Why, if Oberville's coming--(a pause) Look
here, Isabel, didn't you know him very well at one time?
_Isabel_. Very well--yes.
_Warland_. I thought so--of course--I remember now; I heard all about it
before I met you. Let me see--didn't you and your mother spend a winter in
Washington when he was Under-secretary of State?
_Isabel_. That was before the deluge.
_Warland_. I remember--it all comes back to me. I used to hear it said
that he admired you tremendously; there was a report that you were
engaged. Don't you remember? Why, it was in all the papers. By Jove,
Isabel, what a match that would have been!
_Isabel_. You _are_ disinterested!
_Warland_. Well, I can't help thinking--
_Isabel_. That I paid you a handsome compliment?
_Warland (preoccupied)_. Eh?--Ah, yes--exactly. What was I saying? Oh--
about the report of your engagement. _(Playfully.)_ He was awfully gone on
you, wasn't he?
_Isabel_.


Pages:
112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136