The chessmen had become in some sort like
living things to him, through long association; he had parted from them
not without regret, though for the moment courtesy and generosity of
instinct had overcome it; and he knew that it was but too true how in
all likelihood these trifles of his art, that had brought him many
a solace and been his companion through many a lonely hour, would be
forgotten by the morrow, where he had bestowed them, and at best put
aside in a cabinet to lie unnoticed among bronzes or porcelain, or be
set on some boudoir table to be idled with in the mimic warfare that
would serve to cover some listless flirtation.
Cigarette, quick to sting, but as quick to repent using her sting,
saw the regret in him; with the rapid, uncalculating liberality of an
utterly unselfish and intensely impulsive nature, she hastened to make
amends by saying what was like gall on her tongue in the utterance:
"Tiens!" she said quickly. "Perhaps she will value them more than
that. I know nothing of the aristocrats--not I! When you were gone, she
championed you against the Black Hawk. She told him that if you had not
been a gentleman before you came into the ranks, she had never seen one.
She spoke well, if you had but heard her."
"She did!"
She saw his glance brighten as it turned on her in a surprised
gratification.
"Well! What is there so wonderful?"
Cigarette asked it with a certain petulance and doggedness; taking a
namesake out of her breast-pocket, biting its end off, and striking
a fusee.
Pages:
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451