Page:The Yellow Book - 13.djvu/37

Rh "Very likely she didn’t know who you were," his friend reasoned. "anyhow, your zeal is mighty sudden. You appear to have been letting things go at loose ends for I don't know how long; and all at once you take fire like tinder because a poor woman amuses herself by throwing bread to the carp. It's simply spite: you re disappointed in the colour of her hair. I shall esteem it a favour if you'll leave the keepers instructions as they are. She's a damned good-looking woman; and I'll beg you not to interfere with her diversions."

"I can deny you nothing, Uncle," said Hilary, by this time restored to his accustomed easy temper; "and therefore she may make hay of the whole blessed establishment, if she pleases. But as for her good looks that, you’ll admit, is entirely a question of taste."

"Ah, well, then the conclusion is that your taste needs cultivation," laughed Ferdinand. "By-the-bye, I shall be glad if you will find out who she is."

"Thank you very much," cried Hilary. "I have a reputation to safeguard. Do you think I’m going to compromise myself, and set all my underlings a-sniggling, by making inquiries about the identity of a woman?"

"But," persisted Ferdinand, "if I ask you to do so, as your"

"What?" was Hilary's brusque interruption.

"As your guest," said Ferdinand.

"Mille regrets, impossible, as the French have it," Hilary returned. "But as your host, I give you carte-blanche to make your own inquiries for yourself if you think she’s worth the trouble. Being a stranger here, you have, as it were, no character to lose."

"After all, it doesn’t matter," said Ferdinand Augustus, with resignation.

Rh