Moore paused on this observation before he replied to it. His look, at once struck and meditative, said, "A strange phrase: what may it mean?" He turned it over in his mind, with thought deep and slow, as some German pondering metaphysics.
"You mean," he said, at last, "that some men inspire repugnance, and so chill the kind heart."
"Ingenious!" responded Shirley. "If the interpretation pleases you, you are welcome to hold it valid. I don't care."
And with that she raised her head, lofty in look, and statue-like in hue, as Louis had described it.
"Behold the metamorphosis!" he said: "scarce imagined ere it is realized: a lowly nymph develops to an inaccessible goddess. But Henry must not be disappointed of his recitation, and Olympia will deign to oblige him. Let us begin."
"I have forgotten the very first line."
"Which I have not. My memory, if a slow, is a retentive one. I acquire deliberately both knowledge and liking: the acquisition grows into my brain, and the sentiment into my breast; and it is not as the rapid springing produce which, having no root in itself, flourishes verdurous enough for a time, but too soon falls withered away. Attention, Henry! Miss Keeldar consents to favour you. "Voyez ce Cheval ardent et impétueux," so it commences."
Miss Keeldar did consent to make the effort; but she soon stopped.
