Here she
spoke.
"You say continually 'he' or 'him'. He is--?"
"Lord Coombe. I'm not saying I've seen much of him. Considering--"
Dowson paused--"it's queer how seldom he comes here. He goes
abroad a good deal. He's mixed up with the highest and it's said
he's in favour because he's satirical and clever. He's one that's
gossiped about and he cares nothing for what's said. What business
of mine is it whether or not he has all sorts of dens on the
Continent where he goes to racket. He might be a bishop for all I
see. And he's the only creature in this world of the Almighty's
that remembers that child's a human being. Just him--Lord Coombe.
There, Mademoiselle,--I've said a good deal."
More and more interestedly had the Frenchwoman listened and with
an increasing hint of curiosity in her intelligent eyes. She
pressed Dowson's needle-roughened fingers warmly.
"You have not said too much. It is well that I should know this
of this gentleman. As you say, he is a man who is much discussed.
I myself have heard much of him--but of things connected with
another part of his character. It is true that he is in favour
with great personages. It is because they are aware that he has
observed much for many years. He is light and ironic, but he tells
truths which sometimes startle those who hear them."
"Jennings tells below stairs that he says things it's queer for a
lord to say.
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