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Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm
Book, page 221 / 298


remembered that her music was always inter-
rupted by the ringing of the Duke's bell and a
polite request that it should cease.
      "I am glad to hear of these accomplishments.
They do you great credit, I am sure. But -- well,
I do not quite see why you enumerate them just
now."
      "It isn't that I am vain," she pleaded. "I only
mentioned them because . . . oh, don't you see?
If I'm not ignorant, I shan't disgrace you. People


ZULEIKA DOBSON 265

won't be so able to say you've been and thrown
yourself away."
      "Thrown myself away? What do you mean?"
      "Oh, they'll make all sorts of objections, I
know. They'll all be against me, and --"
      "For heaven's sake, explain yourself."
      "Your aunt, she looked a very proud lady --
very high and hard. I thought so when she came
here last term. But you're of age. You're your
own master. Oh, I trust you; you'll stand by me.
If you love me really you won't listen to them."
      "Love you? I? Are you mad?"
      Each stared at the other, utterly bewildered.
      The girl was the first to break the silence. Her
voice came in a whisper. "You've not been play-
ing a joke on me? You meant what you said,
didn't you?"
      "What have I said?"
      "You said you loved me."
      "You must be dreaming."
      "I'm not. Here are the ear-rings you gave
me." She pinched them as material proof. "You
said you loved me just before you gave me them.
You know you did. And if I thought you'd been
laughing at me all the time -- I'd -- I'd" -- a sob
choked her voice -- "I'd throw them in your face!"

 
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