Nay, though I have seen it, I
do not believe it. How was that daring spirit laid? By what spell?'
'By the spell which superior minds always cast on inferior spirits.'
'Very fine,' said the lady, laughing, 'but as old as the days of Leonora
de Galigai, quoted a million times. Now tell me something new and to the
purpose, and better suited to modern days.'
'Well, then, since you will not allow me to talk of superior minds in
the present days, let me ask you if you have never observed that a wit,
once conquered in company by a wit of a higher order, is thenceforward
in complete subjection to the conqueror, whenever and wherever they
meet.'
'You would not persuade me that yonder gentle-looking could ever be a
match for the veteran Mrs. Dareville? She may have the wit, but has she
the courage?'
'Yes; no one has more courage, more civil courage, where her own
dignity, or the interests of her friends are concerned. I will tell you
an instance or two to-morrow.'
'To-morrow!--To-night!--tell it me now.'
'Not a safe place.'
'The safest in the world, in such a crowd as this. Follow my example.
Take a glass of orgeat--sip from time to time, thus--speak low, looking
innocent all the while straight forward, or now and then up at
the lamps--keep on in an even tone--use no names--and you may tell
anything.
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