Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/248

 "Did he make love to her?"

"Not in the least."

"Well, who else?"

"He lived with his mother. She 's quite the best of women."

"Ah yes, I know all that one's mother is. But she does not count as society. And who else?"

Rowland hesitated. He wondered whether Christina's insistence were the result of a general interest in Roderick's antecedents or of a particular suspicion. He looked at her; she was looking at him a little askance, waiting for his answer. As Roderick had said nothing about his engagement to the Cavaliere it was probable that with this object of his admiration he had not been more explicit. And yet the thing was announced, it was public; the other person concerned was happy in it, proud of it. Rowland, thinking of the other person, felt a kind of vicarious resentment. But he kept silence a moment longer. He deliberated intently.

"What in the world are you frowning at?" said Christina.

"There was some one else—quite his principal friend; the young lady to whom he 's engaged."

Christina stared, raising her eyebrows. "Ah, Mr. Hudson 's engaged?" she said very simply. "Is she interesting, is she pretty?"

"Very interesting, I think, as engaged to him." Rowland meant to practise great brevity, but in a moment he found himself saying: "And I also call her handsome."

"Ah then you like her, too? You must be glad 214