the diary of a man of fifty-第7章
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acquaintance； I want you to know her。〃
〃You forget that I do know her。〃
〃Oh no； you don't； you never did。〃 And he gave a little significant
laugh。
I didn't feel like facing the ci…devant Scarabelli at that moment； so
I said that I was leaving the house； but that I would do myself the
honour of calling upon his wife。 We talked for a minute of something
else； and then； suddenly breaking off and looking at me； he laid his
hand on my arm。 I must do him the justice to say that he looks
felicitous。
〃Depend upon it you were wrong！〃 he said。
〃My dear young friend；〃 I answered； 〃imagine the alacrity with which
I concede it。〃
Something else again was spoken of； but in an instant he repeated his
movement。
〃Depend upon it you were wrong。〃
〃I am sure the Countess has forgiven me；〃 I said； 〃and in that case
you ought to bear no grudge。 As I have had the honour to say； I will
call upon her immediately。〃
〃I was not alluding to my wife；〃 he answered。 〃I was thinking of
your own story。〃
〃My own story？〃
〃So many years ago。 Was it not rather a mistake？〃
I looked at him a moment； he's positively rosy。
〃That's not a question to solve in a London crush。〃
And I turned away。
22d。I haven't yet called on the ci…devant； I am afraid of finding
her at home。 And that boy's words have been thrumming in my ears
〃Depend upon it you were wrong。 Wasn't it rather a mistake？〃 WAS I
wrongWAS it a mistake？ Was I too cautionstoo suspicioustoo
logical？ Was it really a protector she neededa man who might have
helped her？ Would it have been for his benefit to believe in her；
and was her fault only that I had forsaken her？ Was the poor woman
very unhappy？ God forgive me； how the questions come crowding in！
If I marred her happiness； I certainly didn't make my own。 And I
might have made iteh？ That's a charming discovery for a man of my
age！
End
