登陆注册
4907600000022

第22章

"Thank you," said I, smiling also. "She is very charitable; she takes a pleasure in encouraging the shy and bashful--""How do you know that?" asked Dolly.

"While," I pursued, "suffering without impatience a considerable amount of self-assurance.""You can't know whether I'm patient or not," remarked Dolly.

"I'm polite."

"She thinks," I read on, "no evil of the most attractive of women, and has a smile for the most unattractive of men.""You put that very nicely," said Dolly, nodding.

"The former may constantly be seen in her house--and the latter at least as often as many people would think desirable." (Here for some reason Dolly laughed.) "Her intellectual powers are not despicable.""Thank you, Mr. Carter."

"She can say what she means on the occasions on which she wishes to do so, and she is, at other times, equally capable of meaning much more than she would be likely to say.""How do you mean that, Mr. Carter, please?"

"It explains itself," said I, and I proceeded: "The fact of her receiving a remark with disapprobation does not necessarily mean that it causes her displeasure, nor must it be assumed that she did not expect a visitor merely on the ground that she greets him with surprise."Here I observed Lady Mickleham looking at me rather suspiciously.

"I don't think that's quite nice of you, Mr. Carter," she said pathetically.

"Lady Mickleham is, in short," I went on, coming to my peroration, "equally deserving of esteem and affection--""Esteem and affection! That sounds just right," said Dolly approvingly.

"And those who have been admitted to the enjoyment of her friendship are unanimous in discouraging all others from seeking a similar privilege.""I beg your pardon?" cried Lady Mickleham.

"Are unanimous," I repeated, slowly and distinctly, "in discouraging all others from seeking a similar privilege."Dolly looked at me, with her brow slightly puckered. I leant back, puffing at my cigarette. Presently--for there was quite a long pause--Dolly's lips curved.

"My mental powers are not despicable," she observed.

"I have said so," said I.

"I think I see," she remarked.

"Is there anything wrong?" I asked anxiously.

"N-no," said Dolly, "not exactly wrong. In fact, I rather think I like that last bit best. Still, don't you think--?

She rose, came round the table, took up the pen, and put it back in my hand. "What's this for?" I asked.

"To correct the mistake," said Dolly.

"Do you really think so?" said I.

"I'm afraid so," said Dolly.

I took the pen and made a certain alteration. Dolly took up the album.

" 'Are unanimous,'" she read, " in encouraging all others to seek a similar privilege.' Yes, you meant that, you know, Mr. Carter."

"I suppose I must have," said I rather sulkily.

"The other was nonsense," urged Dolly.

"Oh, utter nonsense," said I.

"And you had to write the truth!"

"Yes, I had to write some of it."

"And nonsense can't be the truth, can it, Mr. Carter?""Of course it can't, Lady Mickleham."

"Where are you going, Mr. Carter?" she asked; for I rose from my chair.

"To have a quiet smoke," said I.

"Alone?" asked Dolly.

"Yes, alone," said I.

I walked towards the door. Dolly stood by the table fingering the album. I had almost reached the door; then I happened to look round.

"Mr. Carter!" said Dolly, as though a new idea had struck her.

"What is it, Lady Mickleham?"

"Well, you know, Mr. Carter, I--I shall try to forget that mistake of yours.""You're very kind, Lady Mickleham."

"But," said Dolly with a troubled smile, "I--I'm quite afraid Ishan't succeed, Mr. Carter."

After all, the smoking room is meant for smoking.

同类推荐
  • 虎丘绍隆禅师语录

    虎丘绍隆禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 隆平集

    隆平集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 上巳日曲江有感

    上巳日曲江有感

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 东城杂记

    东城杂记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 王郭两先生崇论

    王郭两先生崇论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 毒妃狠绝色

    毒妃狠绝色

    杜家嫡女,嫁入燕王府为妃。十月怀胎,一朝产子,却被害身死。七年结发夫妻,敌不过美人两滴泪。只落得断手剜目,母子同赴黄泉!重生于十年前最重要的那个夜晚。她才终于明白,前世所有天灾皆是人祸!杀人偿命,欠债还钱!杜蘅对天发誓,要以牙还牙,以眼还眼!前世承受的所有苦痛折磨,必将百倍千倍还之!所有欺辱她之人,必将踏于脚下,誓死诛之!庶母心机深,老太太脾气大,庶姐庶妹个个不是省油的灯。头上有婆婆,背后有小姑,丫环都成加强连了。她步步筹谋,在后宅,在深宫,在前朝。斗庶母,斗姐妹,斗大伯小叔,斗妯娌小姑,斗宫妃权臣……后宫三千,深宅五百,大院子鸡飞狗跳,众女子各领风骚!PS:简介无能者飘过,大家看正文。。。推荐姐妹酒微醺新文:《重生狠角色——傲凰》,精彩不容错过。http://m.pgsk.com/a/673194/
  • 我修炼有外挂

    我修炼有外挂

    王天宇穿越了……然后,王天宇发现他的脑海里,多了一个奇怪的东西。“基础修炼法:第九层(可提升)。”“基础拳法:第一层(可提升)。”看着后面的那个提升字样,王天宇心念一动。“提升!”……
  • 快穿之大佬他是偏执狂

    快穿之大佬他是偏执狂

    上神泠离坠入心魔,入堕神之列,残害神界战神玖熠,念及曾为神界立下汗马功劳,赦其一死,但死罪可免活罪难逃,将其封印冰川之中静思己过,直至冰川融化。杀她师傅,嫁祸于她,此仇怎能不报?可莫名其妙出现的天道使者却说师傅还没死?报仇重要还是救师傅重要?当然是救师傅重要,君子报仇千年不晚。于是某位上神踏上了快穿之路。她不懂什么是情感,但骚年,我还是比较喜欢你之前桀骜不驯的模样,你恢复一下?抱歉,心理住进了一个女人,恢复不过来了!
  • “西洋镜”里的中国与妇女:文明的性别标准和晚清女权论述

    “西洋镜”里的中国与妇女:文明的性别标准和晚清女权论述

    本书以全球史的视野,探讨了中国女权思潮和实践的缘起,尤其把晚清中国的“女权”论和改革实践放在西方文明论在近代中国传播、转化的大背景中进行分析,探究欧美文明论中的性别标准以及成因,考察欧洲文明论的性别标准在晚清如何传入中国,以及对中国社会、中国妇女产生的影响,通过对晚清女性论者的“女权”论述,探讨女性是如何回应由男性开辟的“女权”论述的。
  • 王爷放马过来

    王爷放马过来

    第一世,“只有你死,我才能坐上那个位置,娘子,要是有来世,为夫定不弃你。”。。。。。。第二世,“娘子,来世我们再做夫妻。”。。。。。。第三世,“夫君,这一世让我来守护你,陪你登上大宝。”。。。。。。女主三世为人,都遇同一渣男,既然老天如此安排,命运牵扯。女主决定强以自身,与天斗,与地斗,与小三斗,与后宅斗,其乐无穷。
  • 恶魔养女

    恶魔养女

    住在蓝宫里的,不是王子和公主。而是,木木和蓝修。十七岁的女儿和三十三岁的父亲。天使般的女儿和恶魔般的父亲。绝美却残酷的蓝修收养了仇人的人儿木木,为了复仇?还是为了…XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX蓝修觉得自己的血液,沸腾了!这是因为愤怒!这是因为仇恨!蓝修告诉自己,仅此而已。他尝到了血腥的气味,但是,没有停下。木木觉得自己瞬间从天堂跌至了地狱,眼泪顺着脸颊滚滚滑落,呜咽无法发出,她尝到了血腥的,她知道,那是自己!屈辱,愤怒,木木狠狠的朝着口中的狂兽咬了下去。蓝修,吃痛的抽离。那野兽般灼红的眸子,狠狠的盯住木木。双目红肿,嘴唇破裂,发丝凌乱,颤抖着的木木!XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX“答应我的条件,不然!我情愿摔死!”木木艰难昂着头,对着蓝修喊。“该死的!你竟然敢威胁我!”蓝修额头青筋暴跳!“是……啊!”木木的尖叫声中,蓝修的心脏几乎停止了跳动。“该死的!别动!”蓝帮主咬了牙,第一次被女儿成功的威胁了!“该死的!你在干什么!”蓝修的视线触及木木卷至腰际的裙子,脸色黑了大半,烦躁的怒吼!XXXXXXXXXXXX强烈推荐鹿鹿新文《你骗婚我外遇》《笨女人》推荐鹿鹿暗夜门系列文:完结文《狂魔宠女》主角:蓝殿焰新文《至尊弃妃》主角:蓝冰焰【推荐】好友独孤卫超好看的文文《疯女三夫》《总裁别爱我》好友叶清欢好看的文文《契约情人》好友紫樱的超好看的文文《夫君们,有礼了》不好看你砸我!看完包你发花痴,流口水,呵呵。《总裁酷爱黑道妻》
  • 穿越诸天万界之二次元

    穿越诸天万界之二次元

    穿越诸天万界,我们的主角钟晓鑫,吊打各路主角,攻略各路女主角,站在诸天万界的顶峰(现在写的是《画江湖之转世门生》),穿越在《画江湖之转世门生》,《斩.赤红之瞳》,《狐妖小红娘》,《超神学院》.......(这几个动漫写完,我会列出几个让读者投票。)
  • 凰医帝临七神

    凰医帝临七神

    (原名《焚尽七神:狂傲女帝》)前世,她贵为巅峰女帝,一夕之间局势逆转,沦为废材之质。魂灵双修,医毒无双,血脉觉醒,一御万兽。天现异象,凰命之女,自此归来,天下乱之。这一次,所有欺她辱她之人必杀之!他自上界而来,怀有目的,却因她动摇内心深处坚定的道义。“你曾说,你向仰我,你想像我一样,步入光明,是我对不起你,又让你重新回到黑暗。”“你都不在了,你让我一个人,怎么像向仰你?!”爱与不爱,从来都是我们自己的事,与他人无关。带走了所有的光明与信仰。
  • 宝石龙的种田之路

    宝石龙的种田之路

    穿越到了高魔位面,竟然成了传说中的巨龙。兴奋至极,准备好坐吃等死的时候。“吾名为奥丁·耀乌斯!”“吾名为凯·苏卡!”“吾名为萨拉·赫尔!”………看着旁边和他一同出生的幼龙接受传承,一个个娇嫩的喊出了各自的真名,他有些懵逼。“吾……吾名为……”此时他脑袋里一片空白。在看看那庞大的巨龙娘正紧盯着他,他感觉压力山大,慌乱中想起了个名字。“吾名为奥瑞利安·索尔!”巨龙娘疑惑一下移开了目光,而某个刚出生的幼龙稍微擦了擦冷汗。这是一个没有巨龙传承的弱鸡巨龙之路。
  • 点赞大师

    点赞大师

    点赞大师——大赞红兔,是一只外星兔,他没有眼睛鼻子和嘴巴。但是他很有钱,很成功很幸福。