“Everything in the world,” retorted his companion. “In virtue of your new position you will have to marry. The future Mrs. Henderson, in all probability, will also have a stake in the country. She will have great ideas, moreover, connected with what she will term the improvement of the land, and, beyond a trip to the Italian lakes at long intervals, will not permit you to leave the country of her forefathers.”
“What a strange fellow you are, to be sure!” replied Godfrey. “To hear you talk one would think that the possession of money—and, by Jove, it’s a very decent thing to have when you come to consider it—must necessarily relegate a man to the region of the commonplace. Why shouldn’t I marry a girl who is fond of travelling?”
“Because, as a rule, Fate ordains otherwise,” Fensden replied. “I think I can describe the sort of girl you will marry.”
“Then do so, by all means,” said Godfrey, “I’ll smoke another cigar while you are arranging it.”
“In the first place she will be tall. Your idea of the ludicrous would not let you marry a small woman. She will have large hands and feet, and the latter will be heavily shod. That is how in London I always pick out the girls who live in the country. She will be handsome rather than pretty, for the reason that your taste lies in that direction. She will not flirt, because she will be in love with you. She will be an admirable housewife of the solid order, and while I should be prepared to trust to her judgment in the matter of dogs and horses, roots, crops, and the dairy farm, finer susceptibilities she will have none. Do you like the picture?”
“Scarcely,” said Henderson; “and yet, when all is said and done a man might do worse.”
There was a pause, during which each man knew what the other was thinking about. Godfrey was recalling Teresina’s beautiful face, and Fensden knew that he was doing so.
“By the way,” said Fensden, very quietly, “I noticed this morning that you received a letter bearing an Italian post-mark. Would it be indiscreet if I inquired your correspondent’s name?”
“I don’t see why there should be any mystery about it,” Henderson replied. “It was from Teresina.”
“From Teresina?” said the other, with a look of surprise.