The Lady from Long Acre
earthly use as a king, by himself, and he'd look too absolutely silly for words with a crown on his head. As far as his own private tastes go, he's a lot happier at Richmond. He quite sees it too, you know, when I point it out to him, but he says he wouldn't be able to help himself if there really was a revolution." 

 "No," said Tony.  "I imagine Da Freitas would see to that. It will be a precious cold day when he gets left. He hasn't schemed and plotted and kept in with Pedro all this time in order to let the chance slip when it comes along. If he isn't back there one day in his old job of Prime Minister, it won't be the fault of the Marquis Fernando." 

 Molly looked pensively into the fire.  "He only makes one mistake," she said.  "He's a little too apt to think other people are more stupid than they are. I suppose it comes from associating so much with poor old Peter." 

 CHAPTER III TWO YELLOW-FACED FOREIGNERS 

 Very carefully Tony sprinkled a little Bengal pepper over the perfectly grilled sole which Spalding had set down in front of him. Then he returned the bottle to the cruet-stand and looked across the table at his cousin. 

 "You really ought to come to-night, Guy," he said.  "It will be a beautiful fight while it lasts." 

 Guy Oliver shook his head. He was a tall, rather gaunt young man with a pleasant but too serious expression.  "My dear Tony," he replied, "my tastes may be peculiar, but as I have told you before, it really gives me no pleasure to watch two lads striking each other violently about the face and body." 

 "You were always hard to please," complained Tony sadly.  "Fighting is one of the few natural and healthy occupations left to humanity." 

 Guy adjusted his glasses.  "I am not criticizing fighting in its proper place," he said.  "I think there are times when it may be necessary and even enjoyable. All I do object to is regarding it as a pastime. There are some things in life that we are not meant to make a popular spectacle out of. What would you say if someone suggested paying people to make love to each other on public platforms?" 

 "I should say it would be most exciting," said Tony.  "Especially the heavy-weight championship."  He poured himself out half a glass of sherry and held it up to the light.  "Talking of heavy-weights," he added, "how did you find our dear Cousin Henry?" 
 Prev. P 19/265 next 
Back Top
Privacy Statement Terms of Service Contact