Скорбота сатани

Chapter 25

           ButtomethewholesumandsubstanceoftheoccasionwasthefactthatI,GeoffreyTempest,oncestrugglingauthor,nowmillionaire,wassimplybyvirtueofmyownershipoftheDerby-winner,‘famous’atlast!—orwhatsocietyconsidersfamous—thatfamethatsecuresforamantheattentionof‘thenobilityandgentry,’toquotefromtradesmen’sadvertisements—andalsoobtainsthepersistentadulationandshamelesspursuitofallthedemi-mondaineswhowantjewelsandhorsesandyachtspresentedtotheminexchangeforafewtaintedkissesfromtheircarminedlips.UndertheshowerofcomplimentsIreceived,Istood,apparentlydelighted—smiling,affableandcourteous—enteringintothespiritoftheoccasion,andshakinghandswithmyLordThat,andSirSomethingNobody,andHisSereneHighnesstheGrandDukeSo-and-SoofBeer-Land,andHisotherSereneLownessofSmall-Principality—butinmysecretsoulIscornedthesepeoplewiththeirsocialhumbugandhypocrisy—scornedthemwithsuchadeadlyscornasalmostamazedmyself.WhenpresentlyIwalkedoffthecoursewithLucio,whoasusualseemedtoknowandtobefriendswitheverybody,hespokeinaccentsthatwerefarmoregraveandgentlethanIhadeverheardhimusebefore.

           "Withallyouregotism,Geoffrey,thereissomethingforcibleandnobleinyournature—somethingwhichrisesupinboldrevoltagainstfalsehoodandsham.Why,inHeaven’snamedoyounotgiveitway?"

           Ilookedathimamazed,andlaughed.

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