‘What a pity that Juliet has not a more commanding appearance,’ he thinks to himself, as he watches Mabel’s fine form distinctly outlined in the moonlight. ‘Miss Moore has twice her importance; she looks as if she had been born to a title.’ And Mabel interrupts his reverie by a heavy sigh.
‘Why do you sigh, Miss Moore?’
‘I was thinking how unequally this world is balanced, Sir Roland. Everything goes wrong, doesn’t it?’
‘I cannot quite agree with that sentiment; not, at least, whilst you and I are floating down the Rhine together.’
‘But it won’t last.’
‘Not for ever, unfortunately. But let us enjoy it whilst it does.’
‘I cannot thoroughly enjoy myself when I know my pleasure must come to an end. When I am most happy, I remember that in a few weeks it will all be over, and we shall be back in Blue Street, and you down at Tresham Court with your wife and family.’
‘Don’t talk of it please,’ says Sir Roland with a shudder.
‘Why?’ asks Miss Moore innocently; ‘don’t you love little children?’
‘Not particularly. Do you?’