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Page 65
"Why should she care?" asked Mr. Mafferton hypocritically.
"Oh," I said. "I don't know, I'm sure. Only Mrs. Portheris----"
"She is certainly a charming girl," said Mr. Mafferton.
"And _so_ well brought up," said I.
"Ye-es. Perhaps a little self-contained."
"She has no need to rely upon her conversation." I observed.
"I don't know. The fact is----"
"What is the fact?" I asked softly. "After all that has passed I think I
may claim your confidence, Mr. Mafferton." I had some difficulty
afterwards in justifying this, but it seemed entirely appropriate at the
time.
"The fact is, that up to three weeks ago I believed Miss Portheris to be
the incarnation of so many unassuming virtues and personal charms that I
was almost ready to make a fresh bid for domestic happiness in her
society. I have for some time wished to marry----"
"I know," I said sympathetically.
"But during the last three weeks I have become a little uncertain."
"There shouldn't be the _slightest_ uncertainty," I observed.
"Marriage in England is such a permanent institution."
"I have known it to last for years even in the United States," I
sighed.
"And it is a serious responsibility to undertake to reciprocate in full
the devotion of an attached wife."
"I fancy Isabel is a person of strong affections," I said; "one notices
it with her mother. And any one who could dote on Mrs. Portheris would
certainly----"
"I fear so," said Mr. Mafferton.
"I understand," I continued, "why you hesitate. And really, feeling as
you do, I wouldn't be precipitate."
"I won't," he said.
"Watch the state of your own heart," I counselled, "for some little
time. You may be sure that hers will not alter;" and, as we said
good-night, I further suggested that it would be a kindness if Mr.
Mafferton would join my lonely parent in the smoking-room.
I don't know what happened on the balcony after that.
CHAPTER XVI.
"Mamma," said Isabel, as we gathered in the hotel vestibule for the
start to Pompeii, "is really not fit to undertake it."
"You'll excuse me, Aunt Caroline," remarked the Senator, "but your
complexion isn't by any means right yet. It's a warm day and a long
drive. Just as likely as not you'll be down sick after it."
"Stuff!" said Mrs. Portheris. "I thank my stars _I_ have got no
enfeebled American constitution. I am perfectly equal to it, thank you."
"It's most unwise," observed Mr. Mafferton.
"Darned--I mean extremely risky," sighed Dicky.
Mrs. Portheris faced upon them. "And pray what do _you_ know about it?"
she demanded.
Then momma put in her oar, taking most unguardedly a privilege of
relationship. "Of course, you are the best judge of how you feel
yourself, Aunt Caroline, but we are told there are some steps to ascend
when we get there--and you know how fleshy you are."
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