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I want you to talk to me about May, she said. Instead of answering her he asked: You knew the Duke before? Oh, yeswe used to see him every winter at Nice. Hes very fond of gamblinghe used to come to the house a great deal. She said it in the simplest manner, as if she had said: Hes fond of wild-flowers; and after a moment she added candidly: I think hes the dullest man I ever met. This pleased her companion so much that he forgot the slight shock her previous remark had caused him. It was undeniably exciting to meet a lady who found the van der Luydens Duke dull, and dared to utter the opinion. He longed to question her, to hear more about the life of which her careless words had given him so illuminating a glimpse; but he feared to touch on distressing memories, and before he could think of anything to say she had strayed back to her original subject. May is a darling; Ive seen no young girl in New York so handsome and so intelligent. Are you very much in love with her? Newland Archer reddened and laughed. As much as a man can be. She continued to consider him thoughtfully, as if not to miss any shade of meaning in what he said, Do you think, then, there is a limit? To being in love? If there is, I havent found it! She glowed with sympathy. Ahits really and truly a romance? The most romantic of romances! How delightful! And you found it all out for yourselvesit was not in the least arranged for you? Archer looked at her incredulously. Have you forgotten, he asked with a smile, that in our country we dont allow our marriages to be arranged for us? A dusky blush rose to her cheek, and he instantly regretted his words. Yes, she answered, Id forgotten. You must forgive me if I sometimes make these mistakes. I dont always remember that everything here is good that wasthat was bad where Ive come from. She looked down at her Viennese fan of eagle feathers, and he saw that her lips trembled. Im so sorry, he said impulsively; but you are among friends here, you know. YesI know. Wherever I go I have that feeling. Thats why I came home. I want to forget everything else, to become a complete American again, like the Mingotts and Wellands, and you and your delightful mother, and all the other good people here tonight. Ah, heres May arriving, and you will want to hurry away to her, she added, but without moving; and her eyes turned back from the door to rest on the young mans face. The drawing-rooms were beginning to fill up with after-dinner guests, and following Madame Olenskas glance Archer saw May Welland entering with her mother. In her dress of white and silver, with a wreath of silver blossoms in her hair, the tall girl looked like a Diana just alight from the chase. Oh, said Archer, I have so many rivals; you see shes already surrounded. Theres the Duke being introduced. Then stay with me a little longer, Madame Olenska said in a low tone, just touching his knee with her plumed fan. It was the lightest touch, but it thrilled him like a caress. |
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