“I wish one could have an Act of Parliament, obliging every man to leave his neighbour’s soul in peace.”
“You would sap the very source of human happiness and enterprise,” Professor Fortescue asserted, fantastically.
“I should be glad if I could think the average human being had the energy to look after any business; even other people’s!” cried Lady Engleton.
“I believe that, as a matter of fact, the soul is a hibernating creature,” said Theobald, with a chuckle.
“It certainly has its drowsy winters,” observed Hadria.
“Ah! but its spring awakenings!” cried Miss Du Prel.
The chime of a clock startled them with its accusation of lingering too long. The hostess remonstrated at the breaking up the party. Why should they hurry away?
“The time when we could lay claim to have ‘hurried’ has long since passed, Lady Engleton,” said Hubert, “we can only plead forgiveness by blaming you for making us too happy.”
Professor Theobald went to the window. “What splendid moonlight! Lady Engleton, don’t you feel tempted to walk with your guests to the end of the avenue?”
The idea was eagerly adopted, and the whole party sallied forth together into the brilliant night. Long black shadows of their forms stalked on before them, as if, said Valeria, they were messengers from Hades come to conduct each his victim to the abode of the shades.