Goodness gracious! I cried; most excellent of aunts, that epoch has gone past. The late lamented Queen Anne is now dead. Its no use asking the young man of to-day to explain his intentions. He will refer you to the works of the Scandinavian dramatists.
My aunt was speechless. She could only gurgle out the words: Well, I can safely say that of all the monstrous behaviour then language failed her and she relapsed into silence.
However, when Daphne and young Holsworthy returned, I had as much talk with him as I could, and when he left the house I left also.
Which way are you walking? I asked, as we turned out into the street.
Towards my rooms in the Temple.
Oh! Im going back to St. Nathaniels, I continued. If youll allow me, Ill walk part way with you.
How very kind of you!
We strode side by side a little distance in silence. Then a thought seemed to strike the lugubrious young man. What a charming girl your cousin is! he exclaimed, abruptly.
You seem to think so, I answered, smiling.
He flushed a little; the lantern jaw grew longer. I admire her, of course, he answered. Who doesnt? She is so extraordinarily handsome.
Well, not exactly handsome, I replied, with more critical and kinsman-like deliberation. Pretty, if you will; and decidedly pleasing and attractive in manner.
He looked me up and down, as if he found me a person singularly deficient in taste and appreciation. Ah, but then, you are her cousin, he said at last, with a compassionate tone. That makes a difference.
I quite see all Daphnes strong points, I answered, still smiling, for I could perceive he was very far gone. She is good-looking, and she is clever.
Clever! he echoed. Profound! She has a most unusual intellect. She stands alone.
Like her mothers silk dresses, I murmured, half under my breath.
He took no notice of my flippant remark, but went on with his rhapsody. Such depth; such penetration! And then, how sympathetic! Why, even to a mere casual acquaintance like myself, she is so kind, so discerning!
ARE you such a casual acquaintance? I inquired, with a smile. (It might have shocked Aunt Fanny to hear me; but THAT is the way we ask a young man his intentions nowadays.)
He stopped short and hesitated. Oh, quite casual, he replied, almost stammering. Most casual, I assure you.... I have never ventured to do myself the honour of supposing that that Miss Tepping could possibly care for me.
There is such a thing as being TOO modest and unassuming, I answered. It sometimes leads to unintentional cruelty.
No, do you think so? he cried, his face falling all at once. I should blame myself bitterly if that were so. Dr. Cumberledge, you are her cousin. DO you gather that I have acted in such a way as toto lead Miss Tepping to suppose I felt any affection for her?
I laughed in his face. My dear boy, I answered, laying one hand on his shoulder, may I say the plain truth? A blind bat could see you are madly in love with her.
His mouth twitched. Thats very serious! he answered, gravely; very serious.
It is, I responded, with my best paternal manner, gazing blankly in front of me.
He stopped short again. Look here, he said, facing me. Are you busy? No? Then come back with me to my rooms; andIll make a clean breast of it.
By all means, I assented. When one is youngand foolishI have often noticed, as a medical man, that a drachm of clean breast is a magnificent prescription.
He walked back by my side, talking all the way of Daphnes many adorable qualities. He exhausted the dictionary for laudatory adjectives. By the time I reached his door it was not HIS fault if I had not learned that the angelic hierarchy were not in the running with my pretty cousin for graces and virtues. I felt that Faith, Hope, and Charity ought to resign at once in favour of Miss Daphne Tepping, promoted.
He took me into his comfortably furnished roomsthe luxurious rooms of a rich young bachelor, with taste as well as moneyand offered me a partaga. Now, I have long observed, in the course of my practice, that a choice cigar assists a man in taking a philosophic outlook on the question under discussion; so I accepted the partaga. He sat down opposite me and pointed to a photograph in the centre of his mantlepiece. I am engaged to that lady, he put in, shortly.
So I anticipated, I answered, lighting up.
He started and looked surprised. Why, what made you guess it? he inquired.
I smiled the calm smile of superior ageI was some eight years or so his senior. My dear fellow, I murmured, what else could prevent you from proposing to Daphnewhen you are so undeniably in love with her?
A great deal, he answered. For example, the sense of my own utter unworthiness.
Ones own unworthiness, I replied, though doubtless realpf, pfis a barrier that most of us can readily get over when our admiration for a particular lady waxes strong enough. So THIS is the prior attachment! I took the portrait down and scanned it.
Unfortunately, yes. What do you think of her?
I scrutinised the features. Seems a nice enough little thing, I answered. It was an innocent face, I admit; very frank and girlish.
He leaned forward eagerly. Thats just it. A nice enough little thing! Nothing in the world to be said against her. While DaphneMiss Tepping, I mean His silence was ecstatic.
I examined the photograph still more closely. It displayed a lady of twenty or thereabouts, with a weak face, small, vacant features, a feeble chin, a good-humoured, simple mouth, and a wealth of golden hair that seemed to strike a keynote.
In the theatrical profession? I inquired at last, looking up.
He hesitated. Well, not exactly, he answered.
I pursed my lips and blew a ring. Music-hall stage? I went on, dubiously.
He nodded. But a girl is not necessarily any the less a lady because she sings at a music-hall, he added, with warmth, displaying an evident desire to be just to his betrothed, however much he admired Daphne.
Certainly not, I admitted. A lady is a lady; no occupation can in itself unladify her.... But on the music-hall stage, the odds, one must admit, are on the whole against her.
Now, THERE you show prejudice!
One may be quite unprejudiced, I answered, and yet allow that connection with the music-halls does not, as such, afford clear proof that a girl is a compound of all the virtues.
I think shes a good girl, he retorted, slowly.
Then why do you want to throw her over? I inquired.
I dont. Thats just it. On the contrary, I mean to keep my word and marry her.
IN ORDER to keep your word? I suggested.
He nodded. Precisely. It is a point of honour.
Thats a poor ground of marriage, I went on. Mind, I dont want for a moment to influence you, as Daphnes cousin. I want to get at the truth of the situation. I dont even know what Daphne thinks of you. But you promised me a clean breast. Be a man and bare it.
He bared it instantly. I thought I was in love with this girl, you see, he went on, till I saw Miss Tepping.
That makes a difference, I admitted.
And I couldnt bear to break her heart.
Heaven forbid! I cried. It is the one unpardonable sin. Better anything than that. Then I grew practical. Fathers consent?