Скорбота сатани

Chapter 3

           Thesignatureof‘Boffles’hadevidentlybeendeemedoutofplacethistimeandsomehowIwasfoolishlyvexedatitsomission.Thereseemedtobesomethingformalandstiffintheletter,almostasifithadbeenwrittentodictation,andunderpressure.WhatgavemethisideaIknownot.Iglancedfurtivelyatmysilentcompanion—hecaughtmystraylookandreturneditwithacuriouslygravefixity.FearinglestmymomentaryvaguedistrustofhimhadbeenreflectedinmyeyesImadehastetospeak—

           "Thisletter,prince,addstomyshameandregretthatIshouldhavegreetedyouinsochurlishamannerthisevening.Noapologycancondonemyrudeness—butyoucannotimaginehowmortifiedIfeltandstillfeel,tobecompelledtoreceiveyouinthismiserableden—itisnotatallthesortofplaceinwhichIshouldhavelikedtowelcomeyou...."AndIbrokeoffwitharenewedsenseofirritation,rememberinghowactuallyrichInowwas,andthatinspiteofthis,Iwasobligedtoseempoor.Meanwhiletheprincewaivedasidemyremarkswithalightgestureofhishand.

           "Whybemortified?"hedemanded."Ratherbeproudthatyoucandispensewiththevulgarappurtenancesofluxury.Geniusthrivesinagarretanddiesinapalace—isnotthatthegenerallyacceptedtheory?"

           "Ratheraworn-outandmistakenoneIconsider,"—Ireplied;"Geniusmightliketotrytheeffectofapalaceforonce—itusuallydiesofstarvation."

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