One of Our Conquerors - World eBook Library

George Meredith
so sensitive to him? Victor was appeased by the assurance of
his possession of an exceptionally scrupulous conscience; and
he settled the debate by thinking: ‘After all, for a man like
me, battling incessantly, a kind of Vesuvius, I must have—
can’t be starved, must be fed—though, pah! But I’m not to
be questioned like other men.—But how about an aristocracy
of the contempt of distinctions?—But there is no escaping
distinctions! my aristocracy despises indulgence.—
And indulges?—Say, an exceptional nature! Supposing a certain
beloved woman to pronounce on the case?—She cannot:
no woman can be a just judge of it.’—He cried: My
love of her is testified by my having Barmby handy to right
her to-day, tomorrow, the very instant the clock strikes the
hour of my release!
Mention of the clock swung that silly gilt figure. Victor
entered into it, condemned to swing, and be a thrall. His
intensity of sensation launched him on an eternity of the
swinging in ridiculous nakedness to the measure of time gone
crazy. He had to correct a reproof of Mrs. Burman, as the
cause of the nonsense. He ran down to breakfast, hopeing
he might hear of that clock stopped, and that sickening
motion with it.
Another letter from the Sanfredini in Milan, warmly inviting
to her villa over Como, acted on him at breakfast like
the waving of a banner. ‘We go,’ Victor said to Nataly, and
flattered-up a smile about her lips—too much a resurrection
smile. There was talk of the Meeting at the theatre: Simeon
Fenellan had spoken there in the cause of the deceased Member,
was known, and was likely to have a good reception.
Fun and enthusiasm might be expected.
‘And my darling will hear her husband speak to-night,’ he
whispered as he was departing; and did a mischief, he had to
fear, for a shadowy knot crossed Nataly’s forehead, she seemed
paler. He sent back Nesta and mademoiselle, in consequence,
at the end of the Green Park.
Their dinner-hour was early; Simeon Fenellan, Colney Durance,
and Mr. Peridon—pleasing to Nataly for his faithful
siege of the French fortress—were the only guests. When
they rose, Nataly drew Victor aside. He came dismayed to
Nesta. She ran to her mother. ‘Not hear papa speak? Oh,
mother, mother! Then I stay with her. But can’t she come?
He is going to unfold ideas to us. There!’
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