Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/429

 feelings; I spare them by staying away. Last night I heard something—"

"I heard it too," Rowland said with a high intention of dryness. "And it 's in honour of this piece of news that you 've taken to your bed in this fashion?"

"Extremes meet! I can't get up for joy."

"May I enquire how you heard what has given you such pleasure? From Miss Light herself?"

"By no means. It was brought me by her maid, who 's in my service as well."

"The Prince's loss then is to such a certainty your own gain?"

"I don't talk about certainties. I don't want to be arrogant. I don't want to offend the immortal gods. I 'm keeping very quiet and behaving, I maintain, as a gentleman should. But I can't help my deep peace. I shall wait a while. I shall bide my time."

"And then?"

"And then the most interesting person in the world—in my world—will confess to me that when she threw overboard her Prince she remembered that I adore her."

"I feel bound to tell you," was in the course of a moment Rowland's response to this speech, "that I 'm now on my way to Mrs. Light's."

"I congratulate you—I envy you," Roderick imperturbably remarked.

"Mrs. Light has sent for me to remonstrate with her daughter, with whom she has taken it into her head that I have an influence. I don't know to what extent I shall remonstrate, but I give you notice I shall not speak in your interest." 395