Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/259

 of which there may be differences of opinion, but which can't, at best, under the circumstances, be called innocent. Your last summer's adventures were more so! As for the terms on which you 're to live, I had an idea you had arranged them otherwise."

"I've arranged nothing thank God! I don't pretend to arrange. I 'm young and ardent and inquisitive, and I 'm interested in that young woman. That 's enough. I shall go as far as the interest leads me. I 'm not afraid. Your genuine artist may be sometimes half a madman, but he 's never even half a coward!"

"I see; it's a speculation. But suppose that in your speculation you should come to grief artistically as well as—what shall I say?—more intimately."

"Well then, I must take life as it comes—I can't always be arranging grand bargains. If I 'm to fizzle out, the sooner I know it the better. Sometimes I half suspect it. But let me at least go out and reconnoitre for the enemy, and not sit here waiting for him, cudgelling my brains for ideas that won't come!"

Do what he would, Rowland could not think of Roderick's theory of the fell play of experiment, especially as applied in the case under discussion, as any thing but a pernicious illusion. But he saw it was vain to discuss the matter, for inclination was powerfully on his friend's side. He laid his two hands on his shoulders, held him hard, with troubled eyes, then shook a mournful head and turned away.

"I can't work any more," said Roderick. "You put an end to that. I'll go and stroll on the Pincian." And he tossed aside his blouse and prepared himself for 225