"No!
You needn't consider the extremity of the improbable--as yet. But I will
confess to you that I--how shall I call it?--that I dissembled. First I
dissembled my dismay at the unforeseen result of my idiotic diplomacy.
Do you understand, my dear girl?"
It was evident that she did not understand the word. Heyst produced his
playful smile, which contrasted oddly with the worried character of his
whole expression. His temples seemed to have sunk in, his face looked a
little leaner.
"A diplomatic statement, Lena, is a statement of which everything is
true, but the sentiment which seems to prompt it. I have never been
diplomatic in my relation with mankind--not from regard for its
feelings, but from a certain regard for my own. Diplomacy doesn't go
well with consistent contempt. I cared little for life and still less
for death."
"Don't talk like that!"
"I dissembled my extreme longing to take these wandering scoundrels
by their throats," he went on. "I have only two hands--I wish I had a
hundred to defend you--and there were three throats. By that time
their Pedro was in the room too. Had he seen me engaged with their two
throats, he would have been at mine like a fierce dog, or any other
savage and faithful brute. I had no difficulty in dissembling my longing
for the vulgar, stupid, and hopeless argument of fight.
Pages:
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386