The Twelfth Hour

, "the most unnatural, treach

rary together after breakfast, and he had

ought you hate

ple we like, we should pra

ine with m

the ground

poil our happiness for his own selfish

Don't be angry, Sylvia. I couldn't very well refuse on the ground that he was in love with yo

ame in like a procession, and sat down

odville, and he collected some papers and vani

y. She stopped. Sylvia was the only perso

with his usual formality, "of that very sumptuous baske

day was very sweet and high; a sign to those who knew her

s there. To the best of my belief-correct m

ps, papa! It's a perfe

m brought up to the drawing-room at

everal are r

an attempt at calm determi

ollect, my dear, that I wish them

But, if you like, I might send them on to one of the hospit

there. What do our canine friends care for carna

signed "Paterfamilias." He was proud of his well-turned phrases, but, though pompous, he was not persistent, and when his secretary had once heard these r

ent to any hospital,

mine; surely I can do what I

perty, it seems to me only proper that you should write and acknow

arfully floral! I should have to spend nea

let that pass." He opened the newspaper with much rustl

of the same description, from our good friend Rido

answered amiably

will

d in her grey eyes (with as much gratification as such meetings usual

then turned round and sai

unemployed, or something. Why, the other day he sent a thing from Gerard's so enormous that it ca

w you, my dear. You

sure to go and give one's orders now! The kit

and shut the door. Then he put down the Times carefully, and shook with laughter, comfortably to hims

rant in King Street, waiting for

ugh the fire in them was very far from being extinguished. He wore a gay light red carnation, but the flowerless Woodville looked far more festive. Woodville's enjoyment of nearly all experiences which were not absolutely depressing was greater t

oot is pride, not mere amiability or vanity, as in the Latin races. As unfortunately, in Ridokanaki's case, it entirely lacked charm, people simply found him tedious; especially women. On the other hand, in business or, indeed, in anything really serious, Ridokanaki was quite royally frank, and natural as a child; considering not at all the feelings of other people and consequently irritating them very little. He had a supreme contempt for petty diplomacy in such matters, regarding

a means to an end; somehow, here, it seems to be the end itself. Eating is treated as a sacred rite, and in the public preparations of sauces by

dokanaki. "You mean people d

okanaki suddenly said in his earlier manner, rather quickly and

" said Woodville, laughing. "I cer

you do for Sir James. It's quite ridiculous, with your brains, that because your unc

himself how Ridokanaki, by a stroke of the pen, could move the fate of nations

not doing any good, but I see

rudely, and then said: "Of course we're both t

you are thinking about. But there is no lad

It immediately struck ten, tac

pect in the world, there's no reason why I shouldn't speak of the lady. I'm so

was

rl. You live under the same roof. I see her only occasionally, but I und

greatest possible honour, Mr. Ridokan

ying to play the game?" He spoke almost coarsely

ly want her friendship, but I don't suppose she

Mr. Ridok

e aux dames. Not that age matters, nor ugliness. I haven't the knack. I never had. I bore women. I always did. In that I've always failed, and know it. And it's the only thing I ever cared about. My fa

ttached immense importance to the material. (Are not all romantic heroes and heroines beautiful to look at, and always either beautifully or picturesquely dressed?) Sylvia cared far more about her own admiration for a man than for his admiration for he

were all nonsense. Yes, he had revealed his wound quite openly, and it was

id Woodville, falling int

're hard up. Why should you be so hard up? I met you once going there, and thought how hard it was. It is dreadful to be hard up.... This is what

hen

I will efface myself. If at the end of that time you both still feel the same I

are too kind. But w

ach other is the real thing it will stand this separation. Th

odville, rather touc

n't stand your being in the same house with her. It kills me. I'll try, then, when you've given me this chance, to turn into a friend, a godfather!" He poured out some old brandy and

le nervously, and went on. "I have got

I accept

se, have a delightful time. You speak French; you will not have much to do. Only the sort of thing you can do easily and well. Don't you want to see different places, differe

ic spirit.' But I want to be ind

okanaki. "Come and see me. All right.-Yes,-I must go

I must c

on't go by women! That would be really a pity. They don'

oth st

have been more than k

ink it over. Goo

y excited. Mr. Ridokanaki made hideous faces in the mir

Useless! Waste of time! What a fool I am! An evening thr

xact words in his soliloquy. This b