You would greatly oblige me
if next time he attempts to inflict upon you his vulgar drivel you would
kindly kick him downstairs.'
"'No doubt,' he added, with a sneer, as we walked on, 'Miss Trevior would
be his ideal. She is exactly the type of woman, I should say, to charm
that type of man. For myself, I do not appreciate the artistic and
literary female.'
"'Besides,' he continued, in a deeper tone, 'you know my feelings. I
shall never care for any other woman but Elizabeth.'
"'And she?' I said
"'She,' he sighed, 'is breaking her heart for Smith.'
"'Why don't you tell her you are Smith?' I asked.
"'I cannot,' he replied, 'not even to win her. Besides, she would not
believe me.'
"We said good-night at the corner of Bond Street, and I did not see him
again till one afternoon late in the following March, when I ran against
him in Ludgate Circus. He was wearing his transition blue suit and
bowler hat. I went up to him and took his arm.
"'Which are you?' I said.
"'Neither, for the moment,' he replied, 'thank God. Half an hour ago I
was Smythe, half an hour hence I shall be Smith. For the present half-
hour I am a man.'
"There was a pleasant, hearty ring in his voice, and a genial, kindly
light in his eyes, and he held himself like a frank gentleman.
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