[A Laodicean by Thomas Hardy]@TWC D-Link bookA Laodicean BOOK THE FIRST 83/190
There were the remains of a swagger in his body and limbs as he came forward, regarding Somerset with a confident smile, as if the wonder were, not why Mr.Dare should be present, but why Somerset should be present likewise; and the first tone that came from Dare's lips wound up his listener's opinion that he did not like him. A latent power in the man, or boy, was revealed by the circumstance that Somerset did not feel, as he would ordinarily have done, that it was a matter of profound indifference to him whether this gentleman-photographer were a likeable person or no. 'I have called by appointment; or rather, I left a card stating that to-day would suit me, and no objection was made.' Somerset recognized the voice; it was that of the invisible stranger who had talked with the landlord about the De Stancys.
Mr.Dare then proceeded to explain his business. Somerset found from his inquiries that the man had unquestionably been instructed by somebody to take the views he spoke of; and concluded that Dare's curiosity at the inn was, after all, naturally explained by his errand to this place.
Blaming himself for a too hasty condemnation of the stranger, who though visually a little too assured was civil enough verbally, Somerset proceeded with the young photographer to sundry corners of the outer ward, and thence across the moat to the field, suggesting advantageous points of view.
The office, being a shadow of his own pursuits, was not uncongenial to Somerset, and he forgot other things in attending to it. 'Now in our country we should stand further back than this, and so get a more comprehensive coup d'oeil,' said Dare, as Somerset selected a good situation. 'You are not an Englishman, then,' said Somerset. 'I have lived mostly in India, Malta, Gibraltar, the Ionian Islands, and Canada.
I there invented a new photographic process, which I am bent upon making famous.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|