Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/222

214 and I would not disturb the happy conviction. I suppose marriage is much like the transfusion of blood practised by the renaissance physicians. An injection of rabbit's bleed into the arm of a turbulent man made him sensible to fear, and one of lion's blood into the arteries of a coward infused heroism into his soul. When there was an interchange of blood between two individuals they came to think alike, feel alike, and act alike; it is a happy condition. But as there has been no infusion of my lady's blood into me—I think and feel and act quite differently from her."

"We will leave her out of the question," said Lord Lamerton, dropping his daughter's arm which at first he had taken affectionately. "Confound it, my cigar is out again, the tobacco must be bad. I will not trouble to relight it."

"By all means let us leave my lady out of the question," said Arminell. "I suppose I am not to be court-martialed for having discussed Noah's Ark on Sunday with the tutor. I assure you we did not question the universality of the Flood, we talked only of the packing of the animals in the Ark."

"Was there any necessity for Mr. Saltren to come to you in the music-room?"

"No necessity whatever. He came for the pleasure of talking to me, not even to turn over my music leaves."

"You must not forget, my dear, who he is."

"I do not, I assure you, papa, it is precisely that which makes me take such an interest in him."

"Well, my dear, I am glad of that; but you must not allow him to forget what is due to you. It will not do for you to encourage him. He is only a mining captain's son."

"Papa," said Arminell, slowly and emphatically, "I know very well whose son he is."

"Of course you do; all I say is, do not forget it. He is a nice fellow, has plenty of brains, and knows his place."

"Yes, papa," said Arminell, "he knows his place, and he