CHAPTER VIII
DESSALINES' GARDEN PARTY
MANNING had gone up to London in response to an invitation. It had been the habit of the Maltbys to remain in the country every other year, for Sir Henry was devoted to his horticulture, Giles to the open air, and Lady Maltby herself cared but little for the life in town; consequently the London house was closed for the greater part of the time.
Manning had asked Virginia to go up with him until his sailing date, but seeing that she preferred to remain at Fenwick Towers he had not pressed the matter. Virginia herself loved the country; also she loved Giles, Sir Henry, Lady Maltby, the place, a few animals; on the whole there was no particular reason why she should not remain. Besides this she was deeply interested in Dr. Leyden, from whom, it seemed to her, she obtained much at every conversation, and she did not wish to miss his visit.
Then there was Dessalines, whose calls had become almost daily, and whose unique personality was a never-failing source of curiosity. Since Dr. Leyden's extraordinary exposé of his racial psychology, Dessalines had lost for Virginia much of his vague uncomfortable fascination; in its place there had been developed the sort of sympathetic interest one might feel for a savage of almost civilized talents and disposition.
After Leyden's reproof, Virginia did not see him
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