"
"Indeed!" answered this disagreeable person; and he turned aside his
face for an instant with a brief laugh, which struck me as a
noteworthy expression of his character. "Perhaps I might put forward
a claim, on your own grounds, to call the lady by a name so
appropriate to her splendid qualities. But I am willing to know her
by any cognomen that you may suggest."
Heartily wishing that he would be either a little more offensive, or
a good deal less so, or break off our intercourse altogether, I
mentioned Zenobia's real name.
"True," said he; "and in general society I have never heard her
called otherwise. And, after all, our discussion of the point has
been gratuitous. My object is only to inquire when, where, and how
this lady may most conveniently be seen."
"At her present residence, of course," I replied. "You have but to
go thither and ask for her. This very path will lead you within
sight of the house; so I wish you good-morning."
"One moment, if you please," said the stranger. "The course you
indicate would certainly be the proper one, in an ordinary morning
call. But my business is private, personal, and somewhat peculiar.
Now, in a community like this, I should judge that any little
occurrence is likely to be discussed rather more minutely than would
quite suit my views. I refer solely to myself, you understand, and
without intimating that it would be other than a matter of entire
indifference to the lady. In short, I especially desire to see her
in private.
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