Now Mr. Gage had never read 'Arthur;' so he said directly, that it was a very clever work; indeed, in parts, really beautiful. There was something quite touching in one or two of the scenes.
As this might be safely said of any book written by Eugéne Sue, Mr. Gage was not out of his depth.
Harriet acquiesced, and asked him what he thought of the character of Hèléne.
Mr. Gage replied without hesitation, that it was very ably depicted, but that his ideas of female perfection were not exactly formed upon that model.
"Too statuesque, perhaps, for your taste," said Harriet.
"Yes, that was the case," Mr. Gage said, catching at the hint. "He thought something a little less unbending more attractive in the female character."
"And do you not think Arthur very interesting, in spite of his faults?" said Harriet.
"Undoubtedly," replied Mr. Gage, "but whether he would find any favour with the fair sex, you can determine better than me."
"I don't know. I can't quite make out," said Harriet. "You see one would never be prepared for so strange a disposition. But how beautifully he describes scenery," she continued, turning the leaves. "He makes quite a paradise of this cottage ornèe."