One of Our Conquerors - World eBook Library

George Meredith
toned her voice to Fenellan’s comprehension: ‘Did it occur
recently?’
‘Months; in Africa; I haven’t the date.’
‘Such numbers of people one would wish to know! Who
are those ladies holding a Court, where Mr. Radnor is?’
‘Lady Carmine, Lady Swanage—if it is your wish?’ interposed
the colonel.
She dealt him a forgiving smile. ‘And that pleasant-looking
old gentleman?’
Colonel Corfe drew-up. Fenellan said: ‘Are we veterans at
forty or so?’
‘Well, it ‘s the romance, perhaps!’ She raised her shoulders.
The colonel’s intelligence ran a dog’s nose for a lady’s interjections.
‘The romance? … at forty, fifty? gone? Miss
Julinks, the great heiress and a beauty; has chosen him over
the heads of all the young men of his time. Cranmer Lotsdale.
Most romantic history!’
‘She’s in love with that, I suppose.’
‘Now you direct my attention to him,’ said Fenellan, ‘the
writing of the romantic history has made the texture look a
trifle thready. You have a terrible eye.’
It was thrown to where the person stood who had first
within a few minutes helped her to form critical estimates of
men, more consciously to read them.
‘Your brother stays in England?’
‘The fear is, that he’s off again.’
‘Annoying for you. If I had a brother, I would not let him go.’
‘How would you detain him?’
‘Locks and bolts, clock wrong, hands and arms, kneeling—
the fourth act of the Huguenots!’
‘He went by way of the window, I think. But that was a
lover.’
‘Oh! well!’ she flushed. She did not hear the ‘neglected and
astonished colonel speak, and she sought diversion in saying
to Fenellan: ‘So many people of distinction are assembled
here to-day! Tell me, who is that pompous gentleman, who
holds his arms up doubled, as he walks?’
‘Like flappers of a penguin: and advances in jerks: he is
head of the great Firm of Quatley Brothers: Sir Abraham:
finances or farms one of the South American Republics: we
call him, Pride of Port. He consumes it and he presents it.’
‘And who is that little man, who stops everybody?’
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