DOI article:
James, Henry: The death of the lion
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20196#0051
By Henry James 45
perusal j and her ladyship wanted to know whether, if the thing
didri't turn up again in time for the Session appointed by our
hostess, the author wouldn't have something eise to read that would
do just as well. Their questions are too delightful ! I declared
to Lady Augusta briefly that nothing in the world can ever do as
well as the thing that does best ; and at this she looked a little
confused and scared. But I added that if the manuscript had gone
astray our little circle would have the less of an effort of attention
to make. The piece in question was very long—it would keep
them three hours.
" ' Thrce hours ! Oh, the Princess will get up !' said Lady
Augusta.
" ' I thought she was Mr. Paraday's greatest admirer.'
"' I daresay she is—she's so awfully clever. But what's the
use of being a Princess-'
" ' If you can't dissemble your love ? " I asked, as Lady Augusta
was vague. She said, at any rate, that she would question her
maid ; and I am hoping that when I go down to dinner I shall
find the manuscript has been recovered."
X
"It has not been recovered," I wrote early the next day, "and
I am moreover much troubled about our friend. He came back
from Bigwood with a chill and, being allowed to have afire in his
room, Iay down a while before dinner. I tried to send him to
bed and indeed thought I had put him in the wayofit ; but after
I had gone to dress Mrs. Wimbush came up to see him, with the
inevitable result that when I returned I found him underarms and
flushed
perusal j and her ladyship wanted to know whether, if the thing
didri't turn up again in time for the Session appointed by our
hostess, the author wouldn't have something eise to read that would
do just as well. Their questions are too delightful ! I declared
to Lady Augusta briefly that nothing in the world can ever do as
well as the thing that does best ; and at this she looked a little
confused and scared. But I added that if the manuscript had gone
astray our little circle would have the less of an effort of attention
to make. The piece in question was very long—it would keep
them three hours.
" ' Thrce hours ! Oh, the Princess will get up !' said Lady
Augusta.
" ' I thought she was Mr. Paraday's greatest admirer.'
"' I daresay she is—she's so awfully clever. But what's the
use of being a Princess-'
" ' If you can't dissemble your love ? " I asked, as Lady Augusta
was vague. She said, at any rate, that she would question her
maid ; and I am hoping that when I go down to dinner I shall
find the manuscript has been recovered."
X
"It has not been recovered," I wrote early the next day, "and
I am moreover much troubled about our friend. He came back
from Bigwood with a chill and, being allowed to have afire in his
room, Iay down a while before dinner. I tried to send him to
bed and indeed thought I had put him in the wayofit ; but after
I had gone to dress Mrs. Wimbush came up to see him, with the
inevitable result that when I returned I found him underarms and
flushed