Doctor Claudius, A True Story

tered. There was an air of inhabited luxury which was evidently congenial to the American, for he rubbed his hands softly together and touched one or two objec

lities. There was a rustle and a step on the garden walk, and both men turned towards the open glass door. Claudius almost dropped the vellum-covered poet, and was very perceptibly startle

the smallest of lace fichus just dropped over her hea

have come," said she, graciously extending h

d Barker. Claudius bowed very low. The plunge was over, a

e said quietly. "I am not a profes

Countess. "But since good fortune has brought you into the circle of my ignorance

nd murmured some

low chair and motioned to her guests to follow her example. Barker selected a comfortable seat, and arranged the cushion to suit him bef

laudius rather inquiringly; perhaps she had not expected he was the sort of man to begin an acquaintan

thought Mr. Barker. "He will say gr

ss, "and when I do have any, I never realis

he person, Madam?" retorted Claudius,

, changing one leg over the o

nd her opinion of him as being either intelligent or banal. It is an easy matter to frame paradoxical questions implying a compliment, but it is no light task to be obliged to answer th

ndeed be matters of fact to themselves-who shall say

tess, "do you always talk li

gh-set voice, "that I would like to be the dream of so

e as the sort of individual who would haunt

e the other way," said

rican, "would drink perdi

Barker," said the Countess, "or els

, and believe the latter,

It is pleasanter in the open air." She led the way out thr

of it when I am here." She stopped and pulled two or three dea

plete ignorance of the Countess's name, title, nationality, and mode of

s much, for she briefly impart

an like Mr. Barker, and I occasionally make a trip to my native country. However, I love this

needlework, tumbled together as the Countess had left them when she went in to receive her visitors. Miss Skeat rose as the party approached. The Countess introduced the two men, who bowed low, and they all sat down, M

t, that you were a very imaginative pe

me a philosopher in a small way, as far as that is possible from reading the subject. There a

s-I thought that was an exact science, where everyt

to conceive a new application of knowledge, to invent new methods where old ones are in

ociate mathematics with measur

h its practical results. If the religion is true at all, it would be just as

t were your dreams like?" The Countess looked down earnestly at Claudius, who in his turn looked at her with a litt

ence' into the realms of the occult and hidden; I have wandered with Hermes by the banks of the Nile, with Gautama along the mud-flats of the Ganges. I have disgusted myself with the writings of those who would reduce all history and religion to solar myths, and I have striven to fathom the mea

ating smile, "I have the greatest admiration for Scotch heroism

ewoman, "if you knew how I feel

ker sympathetically. He had discove

ned again to

hat the one dream may be that you have

red Claudius,

aloud, half amused and half annoyed. "I am in earnest," said Cla

?" ask

tilhomme!"

told me you live

son it has been

ream was like. What beautiful th

ord and thought and deed might be the only law necessary to control men's actions. Not the scenic and theatrical chivalry of the middle age, ready at any moment to break out into epidemic crime, but a true reverence and understanding of woman's supreme ri

man who plunged into this kind of talk after half an hour's acquaintance. There was a thrill of feeling in her s

place in more ways t

f call it a dream,"

ess, who say that drea

expect to re

with his bold blue eyes, an

n to bring about the great change in the social relations of the world? Is it you who will build u

from this chair, that I have begun already?" answered Clau

bout it, as you pretend to have, you would begin at once and revolutionise the worl

, Countess, do you approve of my crusade

ker's voice was heard again,

e leaders of its thought and science and enlightenment. Perhaps the form of aristocracy most worthy of a

her companion well, and understood in a moment that the American had discovered her hobby, and was either seeking to wi

il out and conquer the universe, and bring it bound to your feet to

riate," said Margaret. "I am sure you

nd plunder the world for your benefit? Shall I make your universality, yo

he answered, laughing, "I cannot well wi

ow

d h

is face, and the light dancing in his eyes,

and in jest, but she thought she had never heard any one

she asked, "will

moment, Countess, and say y

sation about tribes to the ancient practices of the North American Indians, and was detailing their customs with marvellous fluency. A scientific hearer might have detect

she allowed Miss Skeat to read to her, and her memory was good. Claudius was not behind in sober criticism of current literature, thoug

the Countess to Claudius as she gave him her hand, w

ll permit me, Co

Mr. Barker, do not wait to be asked before you come again.

s. There is the Duke, wh

e is E

migrates semi-annually. They all do now. You know rats leave a

how can you!" exc

course," said he, and pa

front door-step, and the former lit

ider you the most remarkab

udius as he got

ars, and never seen so much as a woman's ear, by your own account, you nevertheless act as if y

ius, "what a funny ide

d." And Mr. Barker ruminated, rolling his cigar in his mouth. "B

e some right to flatter

d Mr. Barker. "Si

ce for some time. At last

what are you goi

ut w

onquest. Shall yo

r. Barker's chaffing remarks. Of course Barker had taken him to the house, and had a right to ask if Claudius had found the visit interesting. But Claudius was determined to check any kind of levity from the first. He did not lik

ued in the Countess's garden

argaret, "what do you thin

ss Skeat. "He has very sound views about social questions, and his info

r? what do you

ion; "but his manners seem everything that co

ome. He looks like a Scandinavian hero. You know I was

is very good-looking,

er some day? I think we mig

to begin and see people in some way besides allowing them to

s happy as I can be. But we will ha

Say Thursday, since you

a little?" And Tourguéneff

oming from the opposite direction. The four people bowed to each other-the ladies graciously, the men with courteous alacrity. Each of the four was interested in the others, and each of the four fel

id Mr. Barker. "The impression of mourning is perfect; it could no

akers such great art

profusely there. But don't yo

oman," answered Claudius, who was beginning to understand Barker. "If that is wh

haps that Miss Skeat act

uires no foil. The whole

America. I will show yo

t. What is

d Biarritz rolled into one. It is a terrestrial paradise, a land of four-in-hands and houris and surf-

said Claudius, not in the least mo

things. But you may have ple

uld care much for New

, to which I take the liberty of inviting you for the s

o to America, which seems in your opinion paramount to enjo

you will. Shall