A Fool for Nature; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1896. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVI SO RUNS THE WORLD AWAY During this interval of eight and forty hours one event of which knowledge came to Murgatroyd gave him great perplexity and pain. It concerned Scaramanga. This young gentleman and genius had abruptly set out for Europe, and it was said that he would not return for three years. He was going to write an opera in Vienna; he had received advantageous offers from somebody, for something--such were the rumors. Surely this was very sudden, thought Murgatroyd; and what did it mean for Isabella? Was she going over to join him? Or was it possible they had quarrelled? "If she shouldn't be happy after all," thought Murgatroyd, "what should I do?" Accordingly he went to fulfil his appointment in an anxious frame of mind. The door was opened to him by Sabina--one might almost think she had been watching out of the window. "How are you?' she said cordially, giving him a stout handshake. "I'm glad to see you Before you see Isabella I want to have a word with you. Come into the dining-room.' He followed her to the room designated. She took up a position on the hearth-rug, with her hands clasped behind her and her immaculate little white collar stiff under her plump chin, like a little bachelor as she was. Murgatroyd leaned against the table before her in silent apprehension. "Now, look here, Mr. Whiterduce, I like you; I'm your friend, and I'm Isabella's too. I am going to tell you some facts. Isabella doesn't know it; if she did she'd forbid me, but nothing venture nothing have; and look here, if you find I'm getting off the track you stop me right there, do you understand? I don't want to give Isabella away; but, on the other hand, I'm resolved, by Jove, that a good thing shan't be lost because people hadn't the sense or the courage to...