Things can always be
denied afterwards, should denial appear necessary--and for the moment
his special devil possessed him.
"I do not like her!" And his mouth twisted. "Do I not? I am not an old
woman. I am a man--like others. I chance to like her--too much."
There was a short silence. Mount Dunstan broke it.
"Then," he remarked, "you had better emigrate to some country with
a climate which suits you. I should say that England--for the
present--does not."
"I shall stay where I am," answered Anstruthers, with a slight
hoarseness of voice, which made it necessary for him to clear his
throat. "I shall stay where she is. I will have that satisfaction,
at least. She does not mind. I am only a racketty, middle-aged
brother-in-law, and she can take care of herself. As I told you, she has
the spirit of the huntress."
"Look here," said Mount Dunstan, quite without haste, and with an iron
civility. "I am going to take the liberty of suggesting something. If
this thing is true, it would be as well not to talk about it."
"As well for me--or for her?" and there was a serene significance in the
query.
Mount Dunstan thought a few seconds.
"I confess," he said slowly, and he planted his fine blow between
the eyes well and with directness.
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