He could hardly keep his eyes off Miss
Effingham. And yet, as he well knew, his observation of her must be
quite useless. He knew beforehand, with absolute accuracy, the manner
in which she would treat her lover. She would be kind, genial,
friendly, confidential, nay, affectionate; and yet her manner would
mean nothing, would give no clue to her future decision either for or
against Lord Chiltern. It was, as Phineas thought, a peculiarity with
Violet Effingham that she could treat her rejected lovers as dear
familiar friends immediately after her rejection of them.
"Mr. Finn," said Madame Max Goesler, "your eyes and ears are
tell-tales of your passion."
"I hope not," said Phineas, "as I certainly do not wish that any one
should guess how strong is my regard for you."
"That is prettily turned,--very prettily turned; and shows more
readiness of wit than I gave you credit for under your present
suffering. But of course we all know where your heart is. Men do not
undertake perilous journeys to Belgium for nothing."
"That unfortunate journey to Belgium! But, dear Madame Max, really
nobody knows why I went."
"You met Lord Chiltern there?"
"Oh yes;--I met Lord Chiltern there."
"And there was a duel?"
"Madame Max,--you must not ask me to criminate myself!"
"Of course there was, and of course it was about Miss Effingham, and
of course the lady thinks herself bound to refuse both the gentlemen
who were so very wicked, and of course--"
"Well,--what follows?"
"Ah! if you have not wit enough to see, I do not think it can be my
duty to tell you.
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