Myself.  May the devil take that “Gabbing Dick”!

Pro.  He probably will.

Myself.  Had he not told me of what he saw—­of the man who looked at my Virgil—­over her shoulder—­

Pro.  Or had you not listened.

Myself.  Ah, yes!—­but then, I did listen, and that he spoke the truth is beyond all doubt; the misplaced Virgil proves that.  However, it is certain, yes, very certain, that I can remain no longer in the Hollow.

Contra.  Well, there is excellent accommodation at “The Bull.”

Pro.  And, pray, why leave the Hollow?

Myself.  Because she is a woman—­

Pro.  And you love her!

Myself.  To my sorrow.

Pro.  Well, but woman was made for man, Peter, and man for woman—!

Myself (sternly).  Enough of that—­I must go!

Pro.  Being full of bitter jealousy.

Myself.  No!

Pro.  Being a mad, jealous fool—­

Myself.  As you will.

Pro. —­who has condemned her unheard—­with no chance of justification.

Myself.  To-morrow, at the very latest, I shall seek some other habitation.

Pro.  Has she the look of guilt?

Myself.  No; but then women are deceitful by nature, and very skilful in disguising their faults—­at least so I have read in my books—­

Pro (contemptuously).  Books!  Books!  Books!

Myself (shortly).  No matter; I have decided.

Pro.  Do you remember how willingly she worked for you with those slender, capable hands of hers—?

Myself.  Why remind me of this?

Pro.  You must needs miss her presence sorely; her footstep, that was always so quick and light—­

Myself.  Truly wonderful in one so nobly formed!

Pro. —­and the way she had of singing softly to herself.

Myself.  A beautiful voice—­

Pro.  With a caress in it!  And then, her habit of looking at you over her shoulder.

Myself.  Ah, yes!—­her lashes a little drooping, her brows a little wrinkled, her lips a little parted.

Contra.  A comfortable inn is “The Bull.”

Myself (hastily).  Yes, yes—­certainly.

Pro.  Ah!—­her lips—­the scarlet witchery of her lips!  Do you remember how sweetly the lower one curved upward to its fellow?  A mutinous mouth, with its sudden, bewildering changes!  You never quite knew which to watch oftenest—­her eyes or her lips—­

Contra (hoarsely).  Excellent cooking at “The Bull”!

Pro.  And how she would berate you and scoff at your Master
Epictetus, and dry-as-dust philosophers!

Myself.  I have sometimes wondered at her pronounced antipathy to
Epictetus.