"
Sir David Forster laughed aloud at this request.
"What! you want to know whether your rival is handsome, I suppose? like
a woman, who always commences her inquiries about another woman by asking
whether she is pretty. My dear Fenton, all personal descriptions are
vague. It is almost impossible to furnish a correct catalogue of any
man's features. Holbrook is just one of those men whom it is most
difficult to describe--not particularly good-looking, nor especially
ill-looking; very clever, and with plenty of expression and character in
his face. Older than you by some years, and looking older than he really
is."
"Thanks; but there is not one precise statement in your description. Is
the man dark or fair--short or tall?"
"Rather dark than fair; rather tall than short."
"That will do, Sir David," Gilbert said, starting suddenly to his feet,
and looking the Baronet in the face intently. "The man who robbed me of
my promised wife is the man whom I introduced to her; the man who has
come between me and all my hopes, who hides himself from my just anger,
and skulks in the background under a feigned name, is the one friend whom
I have loved above all other men--John Saltram!"
Sir David faced him without flinching. If it was acted surprise which
appeared upon his countenance at the sound of John Saltram's name, the
acting was perfect.
Pages:
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341