We can't depart from
our code, can we, even for the sake of an inquisitive woman?"
"I can assure you--" he began.
"But I will have no assurances," she interrupted smilingly. "I am
going to talk of other things. I am going to ask you a ridiculous
question. Are you fond of music?--seriously!"
"I believe so," he answered. "Why?"
"Because," she answered, "I sometimes wonder what there is in the
world that interests you! Certainly, none of the ordinary things seem
to. Tonight, almost for the first time, I saw you look a little drawn
out of yourself. I was wondering whether it was the music or the
people. I suppose, until one gets used to it," she added, looking a
little wearily around the house, "an audience like this is worth
looking at."
"It certainly is not the people," he said. "Do you make as close a
study of all your acquaintances?"
"Naturally not," she answered, "and I do not class you amongst my
acquaintances at all. You interest me, my friend--very much indeed!"
"I am flattered," he murmured.
"You are not--I wish that you were," she answered simply. "I can
understand why you have succeeded where so many others have failed.
You are strong. You have nerves of steel--and very little heart. But
now--what are you going to do with your life, now that wealth must
even have lost its meaning to you? I should like to know that. Will
you tell me?"
"What is there to do?" he asked.
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