The Tale of Chloe by George Meredith
page 16 of 88 (18%)
page 16 of 88 (18%)
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'Ay, the extremer the distance, the pleasanter to hear. Are they
advancing?' 'They stop. There is a cavalier at the window. Now he doffs his hat.' 'Sweepingly?' Chloe described a semicircle in the grand manner. The beau's eyebrows rose. 'Powers divine !' he muttered. 'She is let loose from hand to hand, and midway comes a cavalier. We did not count on the hawks. So I have to deal with a cavalier! It signifies, my dear Chloe, that I must incontinently affect the passion if I am to be his match: nothing less.' 'He has flown,' said Chloe. 'Whom she encounters after meeting me, I care not,' quoth the beau, snapping a finger. 'But there has been an interval for damage with a lady innocent as Eve. Is she advancing?' 'The chariot is trotting down the hill. He has ridden back. She has no attendant horseman.' 'They were dismissed at my injunction ten miles off particularly to the benefit of the cavaliering horde, it would appear. In the case of a woman, Chloe, one blink of the eyelids is an omission of watchfulness.' 'That is an axiom fit for the harem of the Grand Signior.' |
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