"
"The case seems fully proved," she confessed, laughingly, "and it is
surely not my duty to punish the culprit. What did you talk about?
But, pshaw, I know well enough without asking--she told you how greatly
she admired the romance of the West, and begged you to call upon her
with a recital of your own exploits. Have I not guessed aright?"
"Partially, at least; some such expressions were used."
"Of course, they always are. I do not know whether they form merely a
part of her stock in trade, or are spoken earnestly. You would laugh
to hear the tales of wild and thrilling adventure which she picks up,
and actually believes. That Jack Moffat possesses the most marvellous
imagination for such things, and if I make fun of his impossible
stories she becomes angry in an instant."
"I am afraid you do not greatly admire this Miss Spencer?"
"Oh, but I do; truly I do. You must not think me ungrateful. No one
has ever helped me more, and beneath this mask of artificiality she is
really a noble-hearted woman. I do not understand the necessity for
people to lead false lives. Is it this way in all society--Eastern
society, I mean? Do men and women there continually scheme and flirt,
smile and stab, forever assuming parts like so many play-actors?"
"It is far too common," he admitted, touched by her naive questioning.
Pages:
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217