"
"I thought women hated feminine qualities in men."
"Perhaps I misuse my words. I mean that he possesses a quick
sympathy and a sort of intuition that are oftener found in a woman
than a man."
Mark was silent and she asked a question.
"I could not fail to note that you do not like him, or if that is
too strong, that you see nothing to admire in him. What is there
antipathetic in his nature to you, and in yours to him? He doesn't
like you either. Yet you both seem to me such gracious, kindly men.
Surely you have no bias against other nationalities--a man with a
cosmopolitan record like yours?"
At this thrust Brendon perceived how unconsciously he had displayed
an aversion for which no real reason existed--no reason, at any
rate, that he might fairly declare. And yet he was frank; nor did
his response perhaps surprise her, though she appeared to be
astonished.
"There's only one answer, Mrs. Pendean: I'm jealous of Signor
Doria."
"Jealous! Why, Mr. Brendon--what have you to envy him?"
"You would not be likely to guess," he replied, though in truth
Jenny had already done so accurately enough.
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