Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/154

 'A man who's got a wife is never hard on other women.'

There was another pause. Then Rhadamanthus, looking straight at the blotting-paper, said,—

'Oh, well, don't bother me. Be off with you;' and as he spoke the door behind him opened.

Dolly's face broke out into sudden sunshine. Her eyes danced, her dimples capered over her chin.

'Oh, you old dear!' she cried, and, stooping swiftly, she kissed Rhadamanthus. 'You're horribly bristly!' she laughed: and then, before he could move, she ran through the door.

I rose from my seat, taking my hat and stick in my hand. I felt, as you may suppose, that I had been there long enough. When I moved Rhadamanthus looked up, and with an attempt at unconsciousness observed,—

'We will proceed with your case now, if you please, Mr. Carter.'

I look him full in the face. Rhadamanthus blushed! I pursued my way towards the door.

'Stop,' he said in a blustering tone. 'You can't go there, you know.'

I smiled significantly.

'Isn't it rather too late for that sort of thing?' I asked. 'You seem to forget that I have been here for the last quarter of an hour.'

'I didn't know she was going to do it,' he protested.