"Mabel says that smoke never offends your olfactories, or affects

your head unpleasantly, when you are suffering from this nervous

affection," he said to Herbert.

"On the contrary, it often acts as a sedative," was the reply.

Winston lighted a cigar with an allumette from a bronze

taper-stand--a Christmas gift from his wife, which she kept supplied

with fanciful spiles twisted and fringed into a variety of shapes;

drew several long breaths to be certain that the fire had taken hold

of the heart of the Havana, tossed the pretty paper into the embers,

and resumed his seat in the chimney corner.

"A sedative is a good thing for people who allow their nerves to get

out of gear," he remarked, dryly and leisurely, puffing contentedly

in the middle and at the end of the sentence. "But he who does this

subverts the order of the ruler aad the ruled. I supposed I had

nerves once, but it is an age since they have dared molest me. I

know that I had my impulses when I was younger."

He stopped to fillip the ash forming upon the ignited end of his

cigar, performing the operation with nicety, using the extreme tip

of his middle-finger nail over the salver attached for the purpose

to the bronze smoking-set.

"I obeyed one, above a dozen years ago. I learned only to-day that

it was rash and unwise, and to how much evil it may lead."

"Not a very active evil, if you have just discovered it to be such."

The speaker was his sister. Herbert was motionless upon his couch.

Mrs. Aylett, in the lounging-chair at the opposite side of the

hearth from her husband, was cutting the leaves of a new magazine he

had brought from the post-office, and did not seem to hear his

remark.

"You reason upon the assumption that ignorance is bliss," said Mr.

Aylett. "Allow me to express the opinion that the adage embodying

that idea is the refuge of cowards and fools. No matter how grievous

a bankrupt a man may be financially in spirit, he is craven or a

blockhead to shrink the investigation of his accounts. Which

allusion to bankruptcy brings me to the recital of a choicely

offensive bit of scandal I heard to-day. It is seldom that I give

heed to the like, but the delicious rottenness revealed by this tale

enforced my hearing, and fixed the details in my mind. I could not

but think, as I rode home, of the accessories which would add

effectiveness, to-night, to my second-hand narrative. I had the

whole scene, which is now before me, in my mind's eye--the warm

firelight and the shaded lamp brightening all within, while the rain

pattered without; the interesting invalid over there gradually

stirring into interest as the story progressed; you, Mabel, calmly

and critically attentive; and my Lady Aylett, too proud to look the

desire she really feels to handle the lovely carrion."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024