Ah, colonel, if
the ladies of the present day resembled her, there would be some hope
for chivalry."
"God forbid," thought the colonel to himself. Aloud he replied: "Yes,
she is a very beautiful and most accomplished woman."
"She is more than that; she has a touch of genius and fire and poetry. I
have met no one like her."
"I can only hope," thought Colonel Mostyn, "he will not take the disease
too severely. I want a difference, but I do not care to have a case of
raving love and madness on my hands."
At breakfast time the next morning, Colonel Mostyn was pleased to see
that, for the first time, Basil eagerly opened the papers and spoke
anxiously of the evening engagements.
"Better rest at home, tonight," said the colonel; "you were out last
evening, and going out much tires you, I know. What do you say to a
quiet game at chess?"
"I cannot say positively. I shall not know what my evening engagements
are until dinner-time."
And then the colonel felt quite relieved. "He is going to call on Lady
Amelie," he thought, "and wherever she goes this evening he will follow.
I shall soon see him like other young men."
As for Basil himself, he simply lived in one longing for two o'clock. My
lady was perfectly ready to receive him. She had arranged a little scene
and smiled to herself as she thought how sure it was to succeed.
"He saw me all magnificence last evening; now I will play a different
role.
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