They were also the least interesting part. The interest was
elsewhere, and there of course all he could do was to look at the
surface. The inwardness of what was passing before his eyes was hidden
from him, who had looked on, more impenetrably than from me who at a
distance of years was listening to his words. What presently happened at
this crisis in Flora de Barral's fate was beyond his power of comment,
seemed in a sense natural. And his own presence on the scene was so
strangely motived that it was left for me to marvel alone at this young
man, a completely chance-comer, having brought it about on that night.
Each situation created either by folly or wisdom has its psychological
moment. The behaviour of young Powell with its mixture of boyish
impulses combined with instinctive prudence, had not created it--I can't
say that--but had discovered it to the very people involved. What would
have happened if he had made a noise about his discovery? But he didn't.
His head was full of Mrs. Anthony and he behaved with a discretion beyond
his years. Some nice children often do; and surely it is not from
reflection.
Pages:
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654