'
"He rose and held out his hand. 'I am so glad I came to see you,' he
said; 'your suggestion has almost reconciled me to my miserable fate.
Indeed, I quite look forward to a month of Smith, now.'
"'I'm so pleased,' I answered, shaking hands with him. 'Mind you come
and tell me how you get on. Another man's love affairs are not usually
absorbing, but there is an element of interest about yours that renders
the case exceptional.'
"We parted, and I did not see him again for another month. Then, late
one evening, the servant knocked at my door to say that a Mr. Smith
wished to see me.
"'Smith, Smith,' I repeated; 'what Smith? didn't he give you a card?'
"'No, sir,' answered the girl; 'he doesn't look the sort that would have
a card. He's not a gentleman, sir; but he says you'll know him.' She
evidently regarded the statement as an aspersion upon myself.
"I was about to tell her to say I was out, when the recollection of
Smythe's other self flashed into my mind, and I directed her to send him
up.
"A minute passed, and then he entered. He was wearing a new suit of a
louder pattern, if possible, than before. I think he must have designed
it himself. He looked hot and greasy. He did not offer to shake hands,
but sat down awkwardly on the extreme edge of a small chair, and gaped
about the room as if he had never seen it before.
Pages:
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221