He is not dangerous, I should
say; though I have known a woman to satirize a man for years, and
marry him after all. Decidedly, the lowly rector is not dangerous;
yet, again, who has not seen Cloth of Frieze victorious in the
lists where Cloth of Gold went down?
As to the photograph. There is an exquisite ivory-type of Marjorie,
in passe-partout, on the drawing room mantel-piece. It would be
missed at once if taken. I would do anything reasonable for you,
Jack; but I've no burning desire to be hauled up before the local
justice of the peace, on a charge of petty larceny.
P.S.--Enclosed is a spray of mignonette, which I advise you to
treat tenderly. Yes, we talked of you again last night, as usual.
It is becoming a little dreary for me.
VIII.
EDWARD DELANEY TO JOHN FLEMMING.
August 22, 1872.
Your letter in reply to my last has occupied my thoughts all the
morning. I do not know what to think. Do you mean to say that you
are seriously half in love with a woman whom you have never seen--
with a shadow, a chimera? for what else can Miss Daw to be you? I
do not understand it at all. I understand neither you nor her. You
are a couple of ethereal beings moving in finer air than I can
breathe with my commonplace lungs. Such delicacy of sentiment is
something that I admire without comprehending. I am bewildered. I
am of the earth earthy, and I find myself in the incongruous
position of having to do with mere souls, with natures so finely
tempered that I run some risk of shattering them in my awkwardness.
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