Despite my intention to be reticent, I could not endure this tame description. "She is perfectly beautiful,"--I said emphatically. "The dullest eyes must see that. There is not a fault to be found with her. And she is wise to be reserved and cold--were she too lavish of her smiles and too seductive in manner, she might drive many men not only into folly, but madness." I felt rather than saw the cat-like glance he flashed upon me. "Positively, Geoffrey, I believe that notwithstanding the fact that we are only in February, the wind blows upon you due south, bringing with it odours of rose and orange-blossom! I fancy Lady Sibyl has powerfully impressed you?" "Did you wish me to be impressed?" I asked. "I? My dear fellow, I wish nothing that you yourself do not wish. I accommodate my ways to my friends' humours. If asked for my opinion I should say it is rather a pity if you are really smitten with the young lady, as there are no obstacles to be encountered. A love-affair, to be conducted with spirit and enterprise should always bristle with opposition and difficulty, real or invented. A little secrecy and a good deal of wrong-doing, such as sly assignations and the telling of any amount of lies--such things add to the agreeableness of love-making on this planet--" I interrupted him. "See here, Lucio, you are very fond of alluding to 'this' planet as if you knew anything about other planets"--I said impatiently. "_This_ planet, as you somewhat contemptuously call it, is the only one _we_ have any business with." He bent his piercing looks so ardently upon me that for the moment I was startled. "If that is so," he answered, "why in Heaven's name do you not let the other planets alone? Why do you strive to fathom their mysteries and movements? If men, as you say, have no business with any planet save this one why are they ever on the alert to discover the secret of mightier worlds,--a secret which haply it may some day terrify them to know!" The solemnity of his voice and the inspired expression of his face awed me. I had no reply ready, and he went on-- "Do not let us talk, my friend, of planets, not even of this particular pin's point among them known as Earth. Let us return to a better subject--the Lady Sibyl. As I have already said, there are no obstacles in the way of your wooing and winning her, if such is your desire. Geoffrey Tempest, as mere author of books would indeed be insolent to aspire to the hand of an earl's daughter, but Geoffrey Tempest, millionaire, will be a welcome suitor. Poor Lord Elton's affairs are in a bad way--he is almost out-at-elbows;--the American woman who is boarding with him----" "Boarding with him!" I exclaimed--"Surely he does not keep a boarding-house?" Lucio laughed heartily.