''On the contrary. How could it be a misfortune, to be wise? I can never be deceived, for instance, in the matter of a gentleman''s attentions. I am a connoisseur of all the varieties of methods by which a , gentleman might seek to compliment a lady''
He puts his white hand to his breast. ''Then I should be daunted indeed,'' he says, ''did I want only to compliment you.''
''I was not aware that gentlemen had any other wants, than that one.''
''Perhaps not in the books that you are used to. But in life—a great many; and one that is chief.''
''I supposed,'' I say, ''that that was the one the books were written for.''
''Oh, no.'' He smiles. His voice dips even lower. ''They are read for that, but written for something keener. I mean, of course, the want of—money. Every gentleman minds that. And those of us who are
not quite so gentlemanly as we would like, mind it most of all.—I am sorry to embarrass you.''
I have coloured, or flinched. Now, recovering, I say, ''You forget, I have been bred to be quite beyond embarrassment. I am only surprised.''
''Then I must take a satisfaction from the knowledge that I have surprised you.'' He lifts his hand to his beard. ''It is something to me,'' he goes on, ''to have made a small impression upon the evenness and regularity of yourdays.''