The Adventures of a Modest Man

by Robert W. Chambers

"Smith," he said, hoarsely, "my sister writes that she's engaged to marry an—an Englishman!"

"What of it?" inquired Smith.

"What of it? I tell you my sister—my sister—my sister—is going to marry a British title!"

"She's probably in love, isn't she? What's the harm——"

"Harm?"

For a full minute Kingsbury stood petrified, glaring at space, then he cast his cigar violently among the roses.

"I have a mind," he said, "to get into a top hat and frock coat and drive to Semois-les-Bains.... You say she sells dolls?"

"She's due to sell 'em, according to the morning paper."

For a few moments more Kingsbury paced the lawn; colour, due to wrath or rising excitement, touched his smooth, handsome face, deepening the mask of tan. He was good to look upon, and one of the most earnest young men the gods had ever slighted.