The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope
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page 22 of 941 (02%)
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"Mr Crosbie is an Apollo; and I always look upon Apollo as the greatest--you know what--that ever lived. I mustn't say the word, because Apollo was a gentleman." At this moment, while the name of the god was still on her lips, the high open window of the drawing-room was darkened, and Bernard entered, followed by Mr Crosbie. "Who is talking about Apollo?" said Captain Dale. The girls were both stricken dumb. How would it be with them if Mr Crosbie had heard himself spoken of in those last words of poor Lily's? This was the rashness of which Bell was ever accusing her sister, and here was the result! But, in truth, Bernard had heard nothing more than the name, and Mr Crosbie, who had been behind him, had heard nothing. "'As sweet and musical as bright Apollo's lute, strung with his hair,'" said Mr Crosbie, not meaning much by the quotation, but perceiving that the two girls had been in some way put out and silenced. "What very bad music it must have made," said Lily; "unless, indeed, his hair was very different from ours." "It was all sunbeams," suggested Bernard. But by that time Apollo had served his turn, and the ladies welcomed their guests in the proper form. |
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