But this
much I can tell you. I was born with a wretched load of _ennui_ on my
spirits, and all things pall after a brief experience. It has been so
since the first hour I can remember. My grandmother used to tell
me that I should wake up some day and find myself a genius, that I
rejoiced in several pointed indications toward that desirable end;
that I had only to wait, and ample compensation for the boredom of
life would come But, alas! I am twenty-eight, and there are no signs
of genius yet. I am merely a commonplace young man pursuing the most
commonplace of lives--but I am not going to bore you by talking about
myself any longer. I never do. I do not know why I do so to-night. But
there is something about you which is strangely sympathetic, in spite
of your"--he hesitated--"your unkindness."
She had kept her eyes implacably on the opposite wall, but when he
finished she turned to him suddenly, and he saw that her face had
perceptibly relaxed.
"You impress me very strangely," she said, abruptly. "I am willing to
tell you that frankly, and I hardly understand it.
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