Скорбь сатаны / The sorrows of Satan. Уровень 4

“Poor devil! His faults are no doubt much exaggerated by the clergy! And so we are friends?”

“I hope so! I shall not be the first to break the compact!”

His dark eyes rested upon me thoughtfully.

“Compact is a good word,” he said. “I think I can still be of service in pushing you on in society. And love – of course you will fall in love if you have not already done so, have you?”

“Not I!” I answered quickly, and with truth. “I have seen no woman yet who perfectly fulfils my notions of beauty.

He burst out laughing violently,

“Nothing but perfect beauty will suit you, eh? But consider, my friend, you, though a good-looking well-built man, are not yourself quite Apollo!”

“That has nothing to do with the matter,” I rejoined. “A man should choose a wife with a careful eye, in the same way that he chooses horses or wine, – perfection or nothing.”

“And the woman?” Rimanez demanded.

“The woman has really no right of choice,” I responded.

“Right! Very right, and logically argued!” he exclaimed, becoming serious in a moment. “I myself have no sympathy with the new ideas concerning the intellectuality of woman. She is simply the female of man, she has no real soul, she is incapable of forming a correct opinion on any subject. And in the present age she is becoming more than ever unmanageable.

“It is only a passing phase,” I returned carelessly. “I care very little for women – I doubt whether I shall ever marry.”

“Well you have plenty of time to consider, and amuse yourself with the belles,” he said watching me narrowly. “And in the meantime I can take you round the different marriage-markets of the world, though the largest one of them all is of course this metropolis. Good-night!”

“Good-night!” I responded.

“Amiel, show Mr Tempest to his room.

Amiel obeyed, and crossing the corridor, ushered me into a large, luxurious apartment, richly furnished, and lit up by the blaze of a bright fire.

“Is there anything I can do for you sir?” Amiel inquired.

“No thank you,” – I answered. “you have been very attentive, I shall not forget it.”

A slight smile flickered over his features.

“Much obliged to you, sir. Good-night.”

And he retired, leaving me alone.