The Sacred Fovnt

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1901 Excerpt: ... XIII I HAD felt I could risk such directness only by making it extravagant--by suggesting it as barely imaginable that she could so have played our game; and during the instant for which I had now pulled her up I could judge I had been right. It was an instant that settled everything, for I saw her, with intensity, with gallantry too, surprised but not really embarrassed, recognise that of course she must simply lie. I had been justified by making it so possible for her to lie. It would have been a short cut, I said, and even more strikingly perhaps--to do it justice--a bold deed. But it would have been, in strictness, a departure--wouldn't it?--from our so distinguished little compact. Yet while I look at you, I went on, I wonder. Bold deeds are, after all, quite in your line; and I'm not sure I don't rather want not to have missed so much possible comedy. 'I have it for you from Mr. Long himself that, every appearance to the contrary notwithstanding, his stupidity is unimpaired '--isn't that, for the beauty of it, after all, what you've veraciously to give me? We stood face to face a moment, and I laughed out. The beauty of it would be great! I had given her time; I had seen her safely to shore. It was quite what I had meant to do, but she now took still better advantage than I had expected of her opportunity. She not only scrambled up the bank, she recovered breath and turned round. Do you imagine he would have told me? It was magnificent, but I felt she was still to better it should I give her a new chance. Who the lady really is? Well, hardly; and that's why, as you so acutely see, the question of your having risked such a step has occurred to me only as a jest. Fancy indeed --I piled it up-- your saying to him: 'We're all noticing that y...