dolly dialogues-第3部分

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Lady　Mickleham　rang　the　bell。　　I　stooped　for　my　hat。　　To　tell　the　truth；　I　was　rather　afraid　to　expose　myself　in　such　a　defenseless　attitude；　but　the　Countess　preserved　her　self　control。　　The　butler　opened　the　door。　　I　bowed；　and　left　the　Countess　regarding　me　through　the　maimed　〃starers。〃　　Then　I　found　the　butler　smiling。　　He　probably　knew　the　signs　of　the　weather。　　I　wouldn't　be　Lady　Mickleham's　butler　if　you　made　me　a　duke。

As　I　walked　home　through　the　Park；　I　met　Miss　Dolly　and　Mickleham。　　They　stopped。

I　walked　on。　　Mickleham　seized　me　by　the　coat　tails。

〃Do　you　mean　to　cut　us？〃　he　cried。

〃Yes；〃　said　I。

〃Why；　what　the　deuce？〃　he　began。

〃I've　seen　your　mother；〃　said　I。　　〃I　wish；　Mickleham；　that　when　you　do　happen　to　intrude　as　you　did　the　other　day；　you　wouldn't　repeat　what　you　see。〃

〃Lord！〃　he　cried。　　〃She's　not　heard　of　that。　　I　only　told　Aunt　Cynthia。〃

I　said　something　about　〃Aunt　Cynthia。〃

〃Doesdoes　she　know　it　all？〃　asked　Miss　Dolly。

〃More　than　allmuch　more。〃

〃Didn't　you　smooth　it　over？〃　said　Miss　Dolly　reproachfully。

〃On　reflection；〃　said　I；　〃I　don't　know　that　I　didmuch。〃　　（I　hadn't；　you　know。）

Suddenly　Mickleham　burst　out　laughing。

〃What　a　game！〃　he　exclaimed。

〃That's　all　very　well　for　you；〃　said　Dolly。　　〃But　do　you　happen　to　remember　that　we　dine　there　tonight？〃　　Archie　grew　grave。

〃I　hope　you'll　enjoy　yourselves；〃　said　I。　　〃I　always　cling　to　the　belief　that　the　wicked　are　punished。〃　　And　I　looked　at　Miss　Dolly。

〃Never　you　mind；　little　woman；〃　said　Archie；　drawing　Miss　Dolly's　arm　through　his；　〃I'll　see　you　through。　　After　all；　everybody　knows　that　old　Carter's　an　ass。〃

That　piece　of　universal　knowledge　may　help　matters；　but　I　do　not　quite　see　how。　　I　walked　on；　for　Miss　Dolly　had　quite　forgotten　me；　and　was　looking　up　at　Archie　Mickleham　likewell；　hang　it；　in　the　way　they　do；　you　know。　　So　I　just　walked　on。

I　believe　Miss　Dolly　has　got　a　husband　who　is　（let　us　say）　good　enough　for　her。　　And；　for　one　reason　and　another；　I　am　glad　of　it。　　And　I　also　believe　that　she　knows　it。　　And　I　amI　supposeglad　of　that；　too。　　Oh；　yes；　of　course；　I　am。　　Of　course。



THE　PERVERSENESS　OF　IT

〃I　tell　you　what；　Mr。　Carter；〃　said　Miss　Nellie　Phaeton；　touching　up　Rhino　with　her　whip；　〃love　in　a　cottage　is〃

〃Lord　forgive　us；　cinders；　ashes；　dust；〃　I　quoted。

We　were　spanking　round　the　Park　behind　Ready　and　Rhino。　　Miss　Phaeton's　horses　are　very　large；　her　groom　is　very　small；　and　her　courage　is　indomitable。　　I　am　no　great　hand　at　driving　myself；　and　I　am　not　always　quite　comfortable。　　Moreover；　the　stricter　part　of　my　acquaintance　consider；　I　believe；　that　Miss　Phaeton's　attentions　to　me　are　somewhat　pronounced；　and　that　I　ought　not　to　drive　with　her　in　the　Park。

〃You're　right；〃　she　went　on。　　〃What　a　girl　wants　is　a　good　house　and　lots　of　cash；　and　some　ridin'　and　a　little　huntin'　and〃

〃A　few　　g's！'〃　I　cried　in　shuddering　entreaty。　　〃If　you　love　me；　a　　g'　or　two。〃

〃Well；　I　suppose　so；〃　said　she。　　〃You　can't　go　ridin'　without　gees；　can　you？〃

Apparently　one　could　go　driving　without　any；　but　I　did　not　pursue　the　subject。

〃It's　only　in　stories　that　people　are　in　love　when　they　marry；〃　observed　Miss　Phaeton　reflectively。

〃Yes；　and　then　it's　generally　with　somebody　else；〃　said　I。

〃Oh；　if　you　count　that！〃　said　she；　hitting　Ready　rather　viciously。　　We　bounded　forward；　and　I　heard　the　little　groom　bumping　on　the　back　seat。　　I　am　always　glad　not　to　be　a　groomit's　a　cup…and…ball　sort　of　life；　which　must　be　very　wearying。

〃Were　you　ever　in　love？〃　she　asked；　just　avoiding　a　brougham　which　contained　the　Duchess　of　Dexminster。　　（If；　by　the　way；　I　have　to　run　into　anyone；　I　like　it　to　be　a　Duchess；　you　get　a　much　handsomer　paragraph。）

〃Yes；〃　said　I。

〃Often？〃

〃Oh；　not　too　often；　and　I　always　take　great　care；　you　know。〃

〃What　of？〃

〃That　it　shall　be　quite　out　of　the　question；　you　know。　　It's　not　at　all　difficult。　　I　only　have　to　avoid　persons　of　moderate　means。〃

〃But　aren't　you　a　person　of？〃

〃Exactly。　　That's　why。　　So　I　choose　either　a　pauperwhen　it's　impossibleor　an　heiresswhen　it's　preposterous。　　See？〃

〃But　don't　you　ever　want　to　get？〃　began　Miss　Phaeton。

〃Let's　talk　about　something　else；〃　said　I。

〃I　believe　you're　humbuggin'　me；〃　said　Miss　Phaeton。

〃I　am　offering　a　veiled　apology；〃　said　I。

〃Stuff！〃　said　she。　　〃You　know　you　told　Dolly　Foster　that　I　should　make　an　excellent　wife　for　a　trainer。〃

Oh；　these　women！　　A　man　had　better　talk　to　a　phonograph。

〃Or　anybody　else；〃　said　I　politely。

Miss　Phaeton　whipped　up　her　horses。

〃Look　out！　　There's　the　mounted　policeman；〃　I　cried。

〃No；　he　isn't。　　Are　you　afraid？〃　she　retorted。

〃I'm　not　fit　to　die；〃　I　pleaded。

〃I　don't　care　a　pin　for　your　opinion；　you　know；〃　she　continued　（I　had　never　supposed　that　she　did）；　〃but　what　did　you　mean　by　it？〃

〃I　never　said　it。〃

〃Oh！〃

〃All　rightI　never　did。〃

〃Then　Dolly　invented　it？〃

〃Of　course；〃　said　I　steadily。

〃On　your　honor？〃

〃Oh；　come；　Miss　Phaeton！〃

〃Wouldwould　other　people　think　so？〃　she　asked；　with　a　highly　surprising　touch　of　timidity。

〃Nobody　would；〃　I　said。　　〃Only　a　snarling　old　wretch　would　say　so；　just　because　he　thought　it　smart。〃

There　was　a　long　pause。　　Then　Miss　Phaeton　asked　me　abruptly：

〃You　never　met　him；　did　you？〃

〃No。〃

A　pause　ensued。　　We　passed　the　Duchess　again；　and　scratched　the　nose　of　her　poodle；　which　was　looking　out　of　the　carriage　window。　　Miss　Phaeton　flicked　Rhino；　and　the　groom　behind　went　plop…plop　on　the　seat。

〃He　lives　in　town；　you　know；〃　remarked　Miss　Phaeton。

〃They　mostly　doand　write　about　the　country；〃　said　I。

〃Why　shouldn't　they？〃　she　asked　fiercely。

〃My　dear　Miss　Phaeton；　by　all　means　let　them；〃　said　I。

〃He's　awfully　clever；　you　know；〃　she　continued；　〃but　he　wouldn't　always　talk。　　Sometimes　he　just　sat　and　said　nothin'；　or　read　a　book。〃

A　sudden　intuition　discovered　Mr。　Gay's　feelings　to　me。

〃You　were　talking　about　the　run；　or　something；　I　suppose？〃

〃Yes；　or　the　bag；　you　know。〃

As　she　spoke　she　pulled　up　Ready　and　Rhino。　　The　little　groom　jumped　down　and　stood　under　（not　at）　their　heads。　　I　leant　back　and　surveyed　the　crowd　sitting　and　walking。　　Miss　Phaeton　flicked　a　fly　off　　Rhino's　ear；　put　her　whip　in　the　socket；　and　leant　back　also。

〃Then　I　suppose　you　didn't　care　much　about　him？〃　I　asked。

〃Oh；　I　liked　him　pretty　well；〃　she　answered　very　carelessly。

At　this　moment；　looking　along　the　walk；　I　saw　a　man　coming　toward　us。　　He　was　a　handsome　fellow；　with　just　a　touch　of　〃softness〃　in　his　face。　　He　was　dressed　in　correct　fashion；　save　that　his　hair　was　a　trifle　longer；　his　coat　a　trifle　fuller；　his　hat　a　trifle　larger；　his　tie　a　trifle　looser　than　they　were　worn　by　most。　　He　caught　my　attention；　and　I　went　on　looking　at　him　for　a　little　while；　till　a　light　movement　of　my　companion's　made　me　turn　my　head。

Miss　Phaeton　was　sitting　bolt　upright；　she　fidgeted　with　the　reins；　she　took　her　whip　out　of　the　socket　and　put　it　back　again；　and；　to　my　amazement；　her　cheeks　were　very　red。

Presently　the　man　came　opposite　the　carriage。　　Miss　Phaeton　bowed。　　He　lifted　his　hat；　smiled；　and　made　as　if　to　pass　on。　　Miss　Phaeton　held　out　her　hand。　　I　could　see　a　momentary　gleam　of　surprise　in　his　eyes；　as　though　he　thought　her　cordiality　more　than　he　might　have　looked　forpossibly　even　more　than　he　cared　about。　　But　he　stopped　and　shook　hands。

〃How　are　you；　Mr。　Gay？〃　she　said；　not　introducing　me。

〃Still　with　your　inseparables！〃　he　said　gayly；　with　a　wave　of　his　hand　towards　the　horses。　　〃I　hope；　Miss　Phaeton；　that　in　the　next　world　your　faithful　steeds　will　be　allowed　to　bear　you　company；　or　what　will　you　do？〃

〃O；　you　think　I　care　for　nothin'　but　horses？〃　said　she　petulantly；　but　she　leant　towards　him；　and　gave　me　her　shoulder。

〃O；　no；〃　he　laughed。　　〃Dogs；　also；　and；　I'm　afraid；　one　day　it　was　ferrets；　wasn't　it？〃

〃Havehave　you　written　any　poetry　lately？〃　she　asked。

〃How　conscientious　of　you　to　inquire！〃　he　exclaimed；　his　eyes　twinkling。　　〃O；　yes；　a　hundred　things。　　Have　youkilledanything　lately？〃

I　could　swear　she　flushed　again。　　Her　voice　trembled　as　she　answered：

〃No；　not　lately。〃

I　caught　sight　of　his　face　behind　her　back　and　I　thought　I　saw　a　trace　of　puzzlenothing　more。　He　held　out　his　hand。

〃Well；　so　glad　to　have　seen　you；　Miss　Phaeton；〃　said　he；　〃but　I　must　run　on。　　Goodbye。〃

〃Goodbye；　Mr。　Gay；〃　said　she。

And；　lifting　his　hat　again；　smiling　again　gayly；　he　was　gone。　　For　a　moment　or　two　I　said　nothing。　Then　I　remarked：

〃So　that's　your　friend　Gay；　is　it？　　He's　not　a　bad…looking　fellow。〃

〃Yes；　that's　him；〃　said　she；　and；　as　she　spoke；　she　sank　back　in　her　seat　for　a　moment。　　I　did　not　look　at　her　face。　　Then　she　sat　up　straight　again　and　took　the　whip。

〃Want　to　stay　any　longer？〃　she　asked。

〃No；〃　said　I。

The　little　groom　sprang　away；　Rhino　and　Ready　dashed　ahead。

〃Shall　I　drop　you　at　the　club？〃　she　asked。　　〃I'm　goin'　home。〃

〃I'll　get　out　here；〃　said　I。

We　came　to　a　stand　again；　and　I　got　down。

〃Goodbye；〃　I　said。

She　nodded　at　me；　but　said　nothing。　　A　second　later　the　carriage　was　tearing　down　the　road；　and　the　little　groom　hanging　on　for　dear　life。

Of　course；　it's　all　nonsense。　　She's　not　the　least　suited　to　him；　she'd　make　him　miserable；　and　then　be　miserable　herself。　　But　it　seems　a　little　perverse；　doesn't　it？　　In　fact；　twice　at　least　between　the　courses　at　dinner　I　caught　myself　being　sorry　for　her。　　It　is；　when　you　think　of　it；　so　remarkably　perverse。



A　MATTER　OF　DUTY

Lady　Mickleham　is　back　from　her　honeymoon。　　I　mean　young　Lady　MicklehamDolly　Foster　（well；　of　course　I　do。　　Fancy　the　Dowager　on　a　honeymoon！）　　She　signified　the　fact　to　me　by　ordering　me　to　call　on　her　at　teatime；　she　had；　she　said；　something　which　she　wished　to　consult　me　about　confidentially。　　I　went。

〃I　didn't　know　you　were　back；〃　I　observed。

〃Oh；　we've　been　back　a　fortnight；　but　we　went　down　to　The　Towers。　　They　were　all　there；　Mr。　Carter。〃

〃All　who？〃

〃All　Archie's　people。　　The　dowager　said　we　must　get　really　to　know　one　another　as　soon　as　possible。　　I'm　not　sure　I　like　really　knowing　people。　　It　means　that　they　say　whatever　they　like　to　you；　and　don't　get　up　out　of　your　favorite　chair