”‘A live dog is better than a dead lion?’”
“Well, yes; now, you see, it was not possible for me to go on the stage, so it was better to put away that, and—and my school-girl fancies with it. I’m not imaginative enough to live on memories, particularly memories of—nothing! And this came—”
“I’m only afraid you might find it a little humdrum—”
“Humdrum, Beatrice? How could it be when Mr Fairfax is so clever, and so interesting?”
“Ha, ha, Rosy. Come, confess now. This talk is all very well; but you have just gone and fallen in love with Mr Fairfax, and you’ll begin life fresh.”
“If I have I’m afraid it’s since I accepted him! I thought—that is, I did not think. But you see, Beatrice, it is not often that a girl is so fortunate as to meet with anyone—”
“Like him? I’m quite content, Rosy. You’ll do. And now tell me about the prudent part of it.”
“The prudent part is,” said Rosa, “that he wishes me to have Violante with me whenever I like—always, if need be. If she gets on better with father, and if this concert scheme comes to good, of course that won’t be necessary; but still I shall be able to take care of her, though she has almost grown into a woman.”
“I suppose she will go back to school?”
“Oh, yes, I trust so. It is so good for her. But it is time, I think, that I should go and meet her.”