“You know his face; look away from him and think.”
“He isn’t a genius; but he has brains,” replied Mr. Hammerton slowly; “he is very quiet, as quiet as any man you know; he is very gentle, his manner is perfection in a sick room—and nowhere else, I fancy—”
“That’s too bad.”
“Remember that I do not know him; I am speaking as a phrenologist; I have never been introduced to him. He does not understand human nature, he could live a year under the roof with you or me, particularly you, and not feel acquainted with you; he is shy of women, he never knows whether they are talking sense or nonsense; he is not a lady’s man in the least, you may drop your handkerchief and stoop for it, he would never know it.”
“He can keep a secret, that he can do to perfection. Tell him that you are in love with him and he will never, never tell! He is no musician. Naughty Nan may break her wrists and the keys of the piano, they will not unlock his ears or his heart; he is not fluent in conversation, he states a fact briefly, he answers a question exactly, he has no more to say; but he is a good listener, he does not forget; he is sympathetic, but he does not show it particularly, very few would think that he has any heart at all; I will wager that not two people in the world know him, understand, or can easily approach him; his temper is even, but when he is angry ‘beware the fury of a patient man!’ He likes to see things orderly; he seldom raises his voice; he is exceedingly deliberate, and while he is deliberating he would do or leave undone many things that he would afterward regret. He will rush into matrimony, or he will be in love for years before he knows it; his temperament is bilious. Now, Lady Blue, have I described a hero fit for a modern romance?”
“No, only a commonplace man. All you have said is literally true.”
“He is a good man,” said Mr. Hammerton, emphatically. “I mean, good as men go, in these days. Naughty Nan is to be congratulated. Do you not think so?”
“Perhaps,” said Tessa doubtfully.
“I believe that he is planning an attack on the citadel under my charge; I will move off, and give him an opportunity; I want to talk to the Professor.”