Fiction > Book editions > London, 1885 - Dynamiter

180 NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS.
At the cornet of Tottenham Court Road, however, the
Senorita suddenly turned back, and met him face to face,
with every mark of pleasure and surprise.
' Ah, Sefior, I am sometimes fortunate ! ' she cried.
' I was looking for a messenger ; ' and with the sweetest
of smiles, she despatched him to the east end of London,
to an address which he was unable to find. This was a
bitter pill to the knight-errant ; but when he returned
at night, worn out with fruitless wandering and dis-
mayed by his Jiasco, the lady received him with a friendly
gaiety, protesting that all was for the best, since she had
changed her mind and long since repented of her message
Next day he resumed his labours, glowing with
pity and courage, and determined to protect Teresa with
his life. But a painful shock awaited him. In the
narrow and silent Hanway Street, she turned suddenly
about and addressed him with a manner and a light in
her eyes, that were new to the young man's experience.
' Do I understand that you follow me, Senor ? ' she
cried. ' Are these the manners of the English gentle-
man ? '
Harry confounded himself in the most abject apologies
and prayers to be forgiven, vowed to offend no more, and
was at length dismissed, crestfallen and heavy of heart.
The check was final ; he gave up that road to service ;
and began once more to hang about the square or on the
terrace, filled with remorse and love, admirable and
idiotic, a fit object for the scorn and envy of older
men. In these idle hours, while he was courting
fortune for a sight of the beloved, it fell out naturally
that he should observe the manners and appearance of
such as came about the house. One person alone was
the occasional visitor of the young lady : a man of con-
siderable stature and distinguished only liy the doubtful
ornament of a chin-beard in the style of an American
deacon. Something in liis appearance grated upon
Harry; this distaste grew upon him in the course of
days ; and when at length he mustered courage to
inquire of the Fair Cuban who this was, he was yet
ijiore dismayed by her reply.