Then, during the minute
or more in which we faced each other in silence, he exerted to
some effect that will of which he had boasted. The scarlet faded
from his face, his frame steadied, and he forced a smile. Also he
called to his aid a certain soldierly, honest-seeming frankness of
speech and manner which he could assume at will.
"Your Virginian sunshine dazzleth the eyes, sir," he said. "Of a
verity it made me think you on guard. Forgive me my mistake."
I bowed. "Your lordship will find me at your service. I lodge at the
minister's house, where your lordship's messenger will find me. I
am going there now with my wife, who hath ridden a score of
miles this morning and is weary. We give you good-day, my lord."
I bowed to him again and to the Governor, then gave my hand to
Mistress Percy. The crowd opening before us, we passed through
it, and crossed the parade by the west bulwark. At the further end
was a bit of rising ground. This we mounted; then, before
descending the other side into the lane leading to the minister's
house, we turned as by one impulse and looked back. Life is like
one of those endless Italian corridors, painted, picture after picture,
by a master hand; and man is the traveler through it, taking his
eyes from one scene but to rest them upon another. Some remain a
blur in his mind; some he remembers not; for some he has but to
close his eyes and he sees them again, line for line, tint for tint, the
whole spirit of the piece.
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