When he entered the library he looked so serious that she asked him whether he had neuralgia, from which he occasionally suffered. He replied with some indignation that he had not, and that he had a communication of importance to make to her.
“ What! Another! ”
“ Yes, another, ” he said, with a sour smile; “ but this time it does not concern myself. May I warn you as to the character of one of your guests without overstepping my privilege? ”
“ Certainly. But perhaps you mean Vernet. If so, I am perfectly aware that he is an exiled Communard. ”
“ I do not mean Monsieur Vernet. You understand, I hope, that I do not approve of him, nor of your strange fancy for Nihilists, Fenians, and other doubtful persons; but I think that even you might draw the line at a prize-fighter. ”
Lydia lost c
