The petted invalid nestled her pretty head on his bosom, and patted his cheek with one hot hand.
“Brother, Kate Sutherland was here this morning, and left—besides numerous kind messages for you—a three-cornered note that I ordered Adèle to place in your dressing-case, where I felt sure you would see it.”
“Yes, I saw it.”
“An invitation to ascend Monte Pellegrini?”
“Which I respectfully decline.”
“O Merton! Why not go?”
“Simply because I never premeditatedly, and with malice prepense, bore myself by joining parties composed of persons in whom I have not an atom of interest.”
“But Kate is so lovely?”
“Not to me.”