Doctor Claudius, A True Story
ed a book and a few things in his knapsack and joined Mr. Barker. To Claudius in his simplicity there was nothing incongruous in his travelling as a p
he would as readily have travelled with Claudius had he affected the costume of a shoeblack. He knew that the man was very rich, and he respected his eccentricity for the present. To accomplish the transformation of exterior which he contemplated, from the pr
emarked Mr. Barker reflectively, w
o did not intend to unders
his arrow, and started
? I must have been
ether there was any likelihood of his meeting the woman of whom he had thought so much, and before long he found himself constructing a conversation, supposed to take place on
not?" remarked Claudius tr
We manage our landsca
w s
n the rocks around an
reby he might feed his friend without starving himself. For Mr. Barker was particular about his meals, and accustomed to fare sumptuously every day, whereas he had observed that the Doctor wa
out to find the British aristocracy, whom he knew. The British aristocracy was taking his coffee in solitude
re you
hanks. Where h
I was just lo
e aristocracy
o introduce me to
sure.
, fine figure; carries an ivory-handled parasol with a big M and a crown
ere?" inquire
g, admiring views and dropping her paraso
he rose in his button-hole and led the way. He moved strongly
trywoman of yours. She married a
asked the American, takin
d killed at Plevna.
at he was an American and a compatriot, was delighted to see him. They conversed pleasantly. In the course of twenty minutes the aristocracy
ss, have been in Hei
ago. I am very fond
The castle, the old tower half b
o the trap. "I was standing just at the edge with Miss Skeat-she is my companion, you know-and I dropp
r the sunshade, and bounded back and bowed and left you to your
t Barker in astonishment. "But perhaps you only guessed it
p van Winkle's, and large white hands; and he was altoge
ker, and that he has told you the story.
nd my friend'
ith German professors, Mr. Barker? Ar
ricity without a purpose. Worth millions, and living
ing creature! Tel
ch of Claudius's
e Countess Margaret, looking ou
f your acquaintance even twenty-four hours I would venture to as
quietly, still looking out of the window. "I am enough of an American
known in connection with New York enterprise. The Barkers were not Dutch, it is true, but they had
g," said the Countess, a
ut t
m a very early person. I get
well as for myself," said Mr. Barker, bending low
is pleasant to meet a civili
eting a charming countrywoman," replied
this time, and she rang for lights, subsiding into a low chair while the servant brought them. The candles flickered in t
is!" said Margaret, by way
d eyeglasses, and was well dressed, in plain black, with a single white ruffle about her long and sinewy neck. Sh
asked she, seeing that the Count
en I dropped my par
," replied
it up, and who looked li
ve been a professor.
f his to see me this afternoon, and
me?" asked the
very eccentric. He is very rich, and yet he lives
he is in his right m
dence. Not that she was unhappy with Margaret, who was always thoughtful and considerate, and valued her companion as a friend; but she would
ed and philosophical, and I am sure you will like him.
had of late indulged in a rather prolonged fit of solitude. Miss Skeat took the last novel-on
etter-paper. The Doctor looked up pleasantly at his friend. He could almost fancy he had
your friends
t is apt to be the other p
ropriate to your cha
ng people have a way of turning up at the wrong moment." After a pause, during which Mr. Barker ligh
y strong and rooted dislik
er inside his book, and drumming on the table with his pencil, consi
life, and to woman he ought to owe his happiness. Without woman c
culated M
ncrete. I reverence her mission, and I honour
laimed Mr
astic, of course, you will say, but I believe that homage and devotion to woman is the first duty of m
rker, "I am quite satisfied of your ad
all names," continued Claudius
d not want a confession of faith. I only asked if you disliked ladies' society
ned back in his chair and stare
opinion he held of woman in general had gained upon him of late years, since he had associated less with them. It was with him a beautiful theory, the outcome of a knightly nature thrown back
u are very desirous of presenting
f course. If it is in any way the reve
advantage of an hour's conversation with ladies; and besides, since it comes to
have you presented, and that I could not do less than promise to bring you if possible. As for your personal appearance, it is not of the least consequence. Perhaps, if you d
it best, I will have my hair
mbrikin of his moustache. "Yes
aloud, "we will
his thoughts took it as a certainty that it must be she, and went on building castles in the air and conversations in the clouds. Barker watched him and probably guessed what he was t
a white rose in his buttonhole, and his great black dog was lying at his feet, having for a wonder found his master, for the beast was given to roaming, or to the plebeian society of Barker's servant. The American's careful attire contrasted rather oddly with his sallow face, and with the bony hand that rested against the column. He was a young ma
he will do. What a tearing swell he will be when he is d
your advice," said Claudi
ess," said the other cheerfully. "You look lik
not catching the American idiom. Mr. Barker, however, did
sor, but you might have your boots blacked. There
l man who was coming out paused and turned to look after him,
t could you inform me of the name of that gentleman, whose appearance fills m
the small man for a
inly." And while his interlocutor was recovering enough to formula
ttonhole. Mr. Barker surveyed his work-the clipped head, the new hat, the shiny boots and the rose-with a satisfied air