But some one
brought up Whistler, and etching, and so on, and I had a few ideas of which
I wanted to relieve my mind. And, after all, there's a pleasure in talking
to intelligent people. Henry Wilt was there with his daughters. Clever
girls, by Jove! And Mrs. Peter Rayne--do you know her?'
'Know of her, that's all.'
'A splendid woman--brains, brains! Upon my soul, I know no such delight as
listening to a really intellectual woman, when she's also beautiful. I
shake with delight--and what women one does meet, nowadays! Of course the
world never saw their like. I have my idea of Aspasia--but there are lots
of grander women in London to-day. One ought to live among the rich. What a
wretched mistake, when one can help it, to herd with narrow foreheads,
however laudable your motive! Since I got back among the better people my
life has been trebled--oh, centupled--in value!'
'My boy,' remarked Munden quietly, 'didn't I say something to this effect
on a certain day nine years ago?'
'Don't talk of it,' the other replied, waving his hand in agitation. 'We'll
never look back at that.'
'Your room is stuffy,' said Munden, rising. 'Let us go and have lunch
somewhere.'
'Yes, we will! Just a moment to wash my hands--I've been in the
dissecting-room.
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