Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/300

298 Merton, he may be easily gained over. He is a fool, therefore obstinate; but vain, and therefore manageable." "Give me but the luxury of answering to one of his prolix, contradictory speeches, and I only ask the revenge of a reply." "For all that, he must be on our side: enmities are like friendships—useless encumbrances; individual feelings have nothing to do with general proceedings. I do not know what private life was given us for, except to get in the way of our public one. But I forget you are yet in ignorance of the step I have decided on taking this morning." Mr. Delawarr drew his chair nearer, and began his narration. It had been a fine study for either actor or painter to have watched those two faces during the progress of that detail. The outline of Mr. Delawarr's countenance was handsome, though now thin even to harshness; the forehead was high, but narrow; lip and cheek were equally pale; and it is in the varieties of colour that lies the expression of the feelings, in which species of expression it was entirely wanting: its character was cold,