"We were just speaking of you," Mrs. Hardress told me, the afternoon of my arrival,—"Blanche and I were talking of you, Mr. Townsend, the very moment we heard your wheels."
I shook hands. "I trust you had not entirely stripped me of my reputation?"
"Surely, that is the very last of your possessions any reasonable person would covet?"
"A palpable hit," said I. "Nevertheless, you know that all I possess in the world is yours for the asking."
"Yes, you mentioned as much, I think, at Nice. Or was it Colonel Tatkin who offered me a heart's devotion and an elopement? No, I believe it was you. But, dear me, Jasper is so disgustingly healthy that I shall probably never have any chance of recreation."
I glanced toward Jasper Hardress. "I have heard," said I, hopefully, "that there is consumption in the family?"
"Heavens, no! he told me that before marriage to encourage me, but I find there is not a word of truth in it."
Then Jasper Hardress came to welcome his guest, and save from a distance I saw no more that evening of Gillian Hardress.
10.
He Samples New Emotions