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James, Henry, 1843-1916

"Roderick Hudson"

Sometimes I half suspect it. But let me at least go out and
reconnoitre for the enemy, and not sit here waiting for him, cudgeling
my brains for ideas that won't come!"
Do what he would, Rowland could not think of Roderick's theory of
unlimited experimentation, especially as applied in the case under
discussion, as anything but a pernicious illusion. But he saw it was
vain to combat longer, for inclination was powerfully on Roderick's
side. He laid his hand on Roderick's shoulder, looked at him a moment
with troubled eyes, then shook his head mournfully and turned away.
"I can't work any more," said Roderick. "You have upset me! I 'll go
and stroll on the Pincian." And he tossed aside his working-jacket and
prepared himself for the street. As he was arranging his cravat before
the glass, something occurred to him which made him thoughtful. He
stopped a few moments afterward, as they were going out, with his hand
on the door-knob. "You did, from your own point of view, an indiscreet
thing," he said, "to tell Miss Light of my engagement."
Rowland looked at him with a glance which was partly an interrogation,
but partly, also, an admission.


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