United States or Philippines ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He never profaned her in his thought. But in this mood with his conscience, literary-artistic and simply human, entirely endorsing old Darco's reproof of his work and his evasions; with a financial crevasse at his feet, and Annette chopping away his standing-place, and his own extravagances melting his foothold like butter in the sun; with a barren future staring him in the face he was disposed alike to remorse and penitence.
This taught him a great deal, for he saw how little the popular instinct varies in matters of emotion, and the verdict to which he listened was everywhere substantially the same. There came an especially memorable afternoon when Mr. Warr in a four-wheeled fly drove to Darco's lodgings, and announced the sudden sickness of the juvenile lead. Darco pounced on Paul as the sick man's successor.
Paul made his way to Charterhouse Square, where he was received with marked disfavour. He paid his bill, packed his trunk a small affair which he could shoulder easily and set put for Darco's house. It was a little house, but it stood by itself in a very trim garden, and it was furnished in a style which made Paul gasp.
He had perhaps an open avenue to fame, and it would close if he retired from it, and might never open any more. All these things he counted clearly, and reckoned the world well lost for Claudia. The afternoon work was over, the pay-sheet initialled from top to bottom, the accounts made up and balanced, and the change and papers locked up in Darco's cash-box. He was free to go to Claudia.
This is Colonel Brunton, our great traveller in the Himalayas and Thibet, and this is Mr. Paul Armstrong, the author of I dare not say how many charming books and comedies Mr. Darco's collaborateur. 'Whose work, said Colonel Brunton in a voice typically American, but profoundly deep, 'I have, bafore my trip to Asia, seen performed with a splendid eclaw both in London and New York.
The work thus abruptly begun lasted for weeks, and Darco's enthusiasm drove Paul before it as if it had been a hurricane. Pauer lounged for a day or two, and then betook his golden visage and saffron eyes to London, leaving the pair to their labours.
'I am Mr. Darco's private secretary, said Paul. 'That is the address of your lodgings, and when you have taken your traps there Mr. Darco will meet you at the theatre. 'I am at your disposal, sir, said Mr. Warr. He gathered up two newspaper parcels, each of which leaked ragged hosiery and soiled linen at either end, and pottered along the platform at Paul's side, subservient and timid.
Every man in the profession had a more or less plausible imitation of old Darco's 'leedle beguliaridies. He was as well known as the Strand, and loved and hated as few men are. 'I treated Darco very badly, said Paul. 'I can't rest under that sort of obligation to him. How much did he pay? 'You'd better ask the doctor. Paul asked the doctor next time he saw him, but elicited nothing.
And the little soft-spoken lady from New Orleans, whose husband had been a General in Del Oro and an old friend of Darco's in his campaigning days. And the execution in the house. And Darco signing a cheque for twice the amount claimed, and blubbering like a great fat baby, and swearing to burn the cheque if she thanked him by another word.
It is from my maternal grandfather, who once owned the town of Guildford. I have heard my mother say that his cellars covered a quarter of an acre, and held nothing but port and brandy packed, sir, seven feet deep. To-morrow, in Mr. Darco's presence, I sign the pledge till the end of the tour, as per our highly superior arrangement.
Word Of The Day