I went
to his rescue.
"It's very kind of you to have come to see me, Ellerton," I said, "but
if I don't call yet awhile to pay my respects to your wife, I hope
you'll understand, and not attribute it to discourtesy."
I have never seen relief so clearly depicted on a human countenance. He
drew a long breath and instinctively passed his handkerchief over his
forehead. Then he grasped my hand.
"My dear fellow," he cried, "of course we'll understand. It was a
shocking affair--terrible for you. My wife and I were quite bowled over
by it."
I did not attempt to clear myself. What was the use? Every man denies
these things as a matter of course, and as a matter of course nobody
believes him.
Once I ran across Elphin Montgomery, a mysterious personage behind many
musical comedy enterprises. He is jewelled all over like a first-class
Hindoo idol, and is treated as a god in fashionable restaurants,
where he entertains riff-raff at sumptuous banquets. I had some slight
acquaintance with the fellow, but he greeted me as though I were a long
lost intimate--his heavy sensual face swagged in smiles--and invited me
to a supper party.
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