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He had secured, however, a quiet table in a corner of the dining-room which was adorned with full-length portraits of self-conscious statesmen. Sypher unfolded his napkin with an air of satisfaction. "I've had good news to-day. Mrs. Middlemist is on her way home." "You have the privilege of her friendship," said Rattenden. "You're to be envied. O fortunate nimium."
Dix's most intimate friend, doesn't agree with you." "The ass will agree with the sage only in the millennium," said Rattenden. But Zora was not satisfied with the professional philosopher's presentation of the affair. She sought Wiggleswick, whom she found before a blazing fire in the sitting-room, his feet on the mantelpiece, smoking a Havana cigar.
"It's one of the least amazing of human phenomena," said Rattenden, cynically. "I'm only puzzled at Calypso being so soon able to console herself for the departure of Ulysses, and taking up with such a dreamy-headed shadow of a man as our friend Dix.
It takes one's mind off the dull question of earning bread and butter for a wife and five children." "I wish you'd teach it to me," said Sypher. "I've many wives and many children dependent on me for bread and butter!" Rattenden was quick to note the tone of depression. He laughed kindly. "Looking on is just as good. When you're worried in London why don't you look me up?
He was in my mind as you spoke." "I was thinking of the sister," said Rattenden. "She has Mrs. Middlemist's temperament without her force of character the sex without the splendor. I heard a very curious thing about her only yesterday." "What was it?" "It was one of those things that are not told." "Tell me," said Sypher, earnestly. "I have reasons for asking.
How can you expect to get to the meaning of life on which you were so keen a year ago?" "I want beauty, and not disgustfulness," said Zora. "Should it happen, for the sake of argument, that I wanted two dear friends to marry, it is only because I know how happy they would be together. The ulterior motive you suggest is repulsive." "But it's true," said Rattenden. "I wish I could talk to you more.
The train happened to be waiting at Clapham Junction. A spruce young man, passing by on the platform, made a perceptible pause by the window, his eyes full on her. She turned her head impatiently. Rattenden laughed. "Dear lady," said he, "I must impart to you the elements of wisdom.
"The highly civilized woman," said Rattenden, "is delightfully refined in her table manners, and eats cucumber sandwiches in the most delicate way in the world; but she is obeying the same instinct that makes your lady cannibal thrust raw gobbets of missionary into her mouth with her fingers." "Your conversation is revolting," said Zora. "Because I speak the truth? Truth is a Mokanna."
"I am only warning you against possible dangers," said Rattenden stiffly. He did not like his conversation to be called horrid. "To the race of men?" "No, to yourself." She laughed scornfully. "No fear of that. Why does every man think himself irresistible?" "Because he generally is if he wants to be," said the Literary Man from London. Zora caught her breath. "Well of all " she began.
I am convinced there are circumstances of which neither Mrs. Dix's mother nor sister know anything. I'm a loyal man. You may trust me." "Very well," said Rattenden. "Have you ever heard of a man called Mordaunt Prince? Yes a well-known actor about the biggest blackguard that disgraces the stage. He was leading man at the theater where she last played.
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