The Gay Lord Quex - LightNovelsOnl.com
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d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_With reviving interest._] Ah, yes.
QUEX.
I have had no other opportunity--[_Looking about him awkwardly for a place to deposit the box._] Will you--? shall I--? what the devil's to become of 'em?
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Sitting upright and pa.s.sing her hand over her back hair._] Were there a fire, we could crouch over it and watch the flames consume them one by one.
QUEX.
But there isn't a fire.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Rising, and taking the box from him._] Let us examine them.
QUEX.
No, no, no.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Yes, yes. [_Opening the box and gazing into it._] Ah, poor little objects! dead, yet animate; silent, yet, oh, how eloquent! Don't go away--[_She overturns the contents of the box on to the table. They stand opposite each other, looking down upon the litter. She picks up a ring._] A ring--[_thoughtfully_] turquoise and pearl. [_Recollecting._]
Stockholm! You remember--that night you and I sat watching the lights of the cafe on the Norrbro--!
QUEX.
[_Hastily._] Yes, yes; you've recalled it already to-day.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Picking up a scarf-pin._] A scarf-pin. Copenhagen! Ah, that pretty state-room of mine on the _Irene_!
QUEX.
Yes, yes, charming.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Taking up a locket._] A locket--my name in brilliants. Genoa! Look, it still contains my hair.
QUEX.
[_Nodding._] H'm, um.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Taking up a white shoe._] My shoe. Where--?
QUEX.
[_Shaking his head._] I don't--
d.u.c.h.eSS.
Mentone!
QUEX.
Of course--Mentone.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Discovering some object in the shoe._] What is this? [_Producing a garter of pale-blue silk, with a diamond buckle._] A--a--where--? ah, yes. [_Replacing the things in the box._] Oh, the poor little objects!
dead, yet animate; silent, yet, oh, how eloquent!
[_She pa.s.ses him and slips the box into the drawer of the writing-table.
The clock strikes a quarter to twelve._
QUEX.
[_Glancing at the clock._] By Jove, it's late! I--I'll leave you now, Sidonia.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Turning._] No, no--not yet, Harry. [_Coming to the table and taking up the box of cigarettes._] Why, you forget--[_offering him the box_]
Argyropulos!
QUEX.
[_Accepting a cigarette reluctantly._] Thanks. [_Again looking at the clock._] Well--three minutes.
d.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Taking a cigarette, replacing the box, and holding the spirit lamp while he lights his cigarette from it._] You were not always so impatient. [_In lighting his cigarette, the flame of the lamp is blown out._] Ah! [_After replacing the lamp, she lights her cigarette from his, gazing into his eyes._] Argyropulos. [_Dreamily._] Once more--Argyropulos.
QUEX.
Yes, yes--capital tobacco.
[_He gets away from her._
d.u.c.h.eSS.
And look! you see, Harry?
