I need scarcely say that there is nothing to be gained by reason-ing
with him. He has worked himself up to a chronic fury, and talks of
vengeance all day long, like a Corsican. For company here I have an
old brother officer of my days of tinsel and pipe-clay,--an excellent
creature, whom I amuse myself by tormenting. There is also Glencore's
boy,--a strange, dreamy kind of haughty fellow, an exaggeration of
his father in disposition, but with good abilities. These are not the
elements of much social agreeability; but you know, dear friend, how
little I stand in need of what is called company. Your last letter,
charming as it was, has afforded me all the companionship I could
desire. I have re-read it till I know it by heart. I could almost chide
you for that delightful little party in my absence, but of course it
was, as all you ever do is, perfectly right; and, after all, I am,
perhaps, not sorry that you had those people when I was away, so that we
shall be more _chez nous_ when we meet. But when is that to be? Who can
tell? My medico insists upon five full weeks for my cure. Allington is
very likely, in his present temper, to order me back to my post. You
seem to think that you must be in Berlin when Seckendorf arrives, so
that--But I will not darken the future by gloomy forebodings. I _could_
leave this--that is, if any urgency required it--at once; but, if
possible, it is better I should remain at least a little longer. My last
meeting with Glencore was unpleasant. Poor fellow! his temper is not
what it used to be, and he is forgetful of what is due to one whose
nerves are in the sad state of mine. You shall hear all my complainings
when we meet, dear Princess; and with this I kiss your hand, begging you
to accept all “_mes hommages” et mon estime_,
H. U.
Your letter must be addressed “Leenane, Ireland.” Your last had only
“Glencore” on it, and not very legible either, so that it made what I
wished _I_ could do, “the tour of Scotland,” before reaching me.
Sir Horace read over his letter carefully, as though it had been
a despatch, and, when he had done, folded it up with an air of
satisfaction. He had said nothing that he wished unsaid, and he had
mentioned a little about everything he desired to touch upon. He then
took his “drops” from a queer-looking little phial he carried about with
him, and having looked at his face in a pocket-glass, he half closed his
eyes in revery.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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