Amarinth

The little boys were all hopelessly in love with Lord Reggie, to whom they had learnt, over the anthem, to draw near with a certain confidence, but they gazed upon Amarinth with an awe that made their bosoms heave, and could not reply to his remarks without drawing in their breath at the same time -- a circumstance which rendered their artless communications less lucidly audible than might have been desired.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

"Mr. Smith has decidedly been premature," Amarinth said gravely.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

Mr.. Windsor rose, and said, as she went out, to Mr. Amarinth --

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

Amarinth, however, was serenely gracious, and might be heard conversing about rustic joys and the charms of the country in a way that would have done every credit to Virgil.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

Amarinth lit a gold-tipped cigarette, and leaned back lazily in his chair.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

Then Amarinth broke in with a deeper note, and words were lost.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

"Ah!" said Amarinth, as the ladies rose to go into the drawing-room;

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

"It is a pity I am already married," added Amarinth, sipping his coffee with a deliberate grace.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

"What is he doing?" whispered Madame Valtesi to Amarinth.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907

After a parleying, which she conducted in profile, she turned her full face round, and having shaken her tormentor off, she proceeded slowly towards Amarinth, with an expression of extreme and illimitable irritability.

The Green Carnation Robert Smythe Hichens 1907