Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/284

 "But thoughts will wander at times," pleaded I in defence."defence. [sic]

"Man should be master of his mind," responded she, quoting, with a charming assumption of gravity, a celebrated poet of the sixty-third century. "That, however, is but a minor offence. But you really ought not to stare so at me, as you did at dinner, and as you have been doing now, instead of studying the board."

"But what induced Ialma to do up your hair in that distracting way?" said I, assuming as fraternal an air as possible. "The effect is very good, but I cannot help. trying to make out how it is produced. Could I once be satisfied on that point"—

The absurdity of this plea tickled Reva's keen sense of humor. She laughed, and, entering into the spirit of the thing, said,—

"If that will suffice to effect a cure, you may now study the effect, as you call it, once for all."

With these words, she turned round so as to present to view the back of her head, then, at my request, presented her profile. In this last position I kept her as long as I dared, apparently surveying with critical eye the artistically arranged locks, but likewise taking in the details of the Artemis-like head, the delicately outlined nose, the proud lips and chin.

"Well, will you now be able to devote your whole attention to the game?" asked she, as she turned toward me a countenance as captivating to the heart in its front view as the goddess-like profile was satisfying to the artistic taste.

"I think the safest way would be if you could restore