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Uncommonly good things in it here and there uncommonly good. Whelpdale had the weakness of being unable to tell a disagreeable truth, and a tendency to flattery which had always made Reardon rather uncomfortable in his society.
'I haven't, exclaimed Whelpdale. 'I have lived for five days on a few cents' worth of pea-nuts in the States. 'What are pea-nuts, Mr Whelpdale? asked Dora. Delighted with the question, Whelpdale described that undesirable species of food. 'It was in Troy, he went on, 'Troy, N.Y. To think that a man should live on pea-nuts in a town called Troy! 'Tell us those adventures, cried Jasper.
They talked of how the couple would probably behave under this decisive change of circumstances. 'Biffen professes to know nothing about Mrs Reardon, said Whelpdale. 'I suspect he keeps his knowledge to himself, out of regard for Reardon. It wouldn't surprise me if they live apart for a long time yet. 'Not very likely. It was only want of money. 'They're not at all suited to each other.
In this clearer light Whelpdale was exhibited as a young man of greatly improved exterior; he wore a cream-coloured waistcoat, a necktie of subtle hue, and delicate gloves; prosperity breathed from his whole person. It was, in fact, only a moderate prosperity to which he had as yet attained, but the future beckoned to him flatteringly.
Why, that's magnificent. But Whelpdale did not look quite so much satisfaction as his words expressed. 'Is it to be soon? he inquired. 'At the end of the season. Make no difference to Dora and me, of course. 'Oh? Really? No difference at all? You will let me come and see you both just in the old way, Milvain? 'Why the deuce shouldn't you? 'To be sure, to be sure. By Jove!
'Not in Whelpdale's sense of the word. But, strictly speaking, no doubt he is. The quarter-educated constitute a very large class indeed; how large, the huge success of that paper is demonstrating. I'll write to Whelpdale, and let him know that his benefaction has extended even to Sark. This letter was written, and in a few days there came a reply.
'Trust one woman for thinking the worst of another, observed Jasper with something like a sneer. Dora gave him a look of strong disapproval; one might have suspected that brother and sister had before this fallen into disagreement on the delicate topic. Whelpdale felt obliged to interpose, and had of course no choice but to support the girl.
Let me impress upon you, my dear girl, that I have a future before me, and that there is no reason with your charm of person and mind why you should not marry brilliantly. Whelpdale can give you a decent home, I admit, but as regards society he will be a drag upon you. 'It happens, Jasper, that I have promised to marry him, replied Dora, in a significant tone.
Biffen's deferential attitude as he listened and replied was in strong contrast with the careless ease which marked Jasper Milvain. The realist would never smoke in Amy's presence, but Jasper puffed jovial clouds even whilst she was conversing with him. 'Whelpdale came to see me last night, remarked Milvain, presently. 'His novel is refused on all hands.
I have asked her to marry me, and, by the Powers! she has given me an encouraging answer. Not an actual yes, but encouraging! She's away in the Channel Islands, and I wrote He talked on for a quarter of an hour. Then, with a sudden movement, the listener freed himself. 'I can't go any farther, he said hoarsely. 'Good-bye! Whelpdale was disconcerted. 'I have been boring you.
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