姜一郎享受“性”福生活 z19296消除不良生活方式-刘慧02
姜一郎
haf dined at Bismarck's house."
"But," said Ruth, firmly, "I can not[Pg 134] think of becoming your wife, Prof. Poppendorf."
"Ach, so!" said the Professor, in a tone of disappointment. "Do not make such a mistake, my dear Mees Ruth. Is it nothing to become Mrs. Professor Poppendorf. You will take a good place in society. For I assure you that I am well known among scholars. I am now busy on a great work on philosophy, which will extend my fame. I will make you proud of your husband."
"Indeed, Prof. Poppendorf, I do not doubt your learning or your fame, but I can not marry a man old enough to be my grandfather."
"So, I am not so sure about that. I am old enough to be your father, but—"
"Never mind! We will not argue the point. I hope you will say no more. I can not marry you."
"Ah! is there another? Haf I a rival?" demanded the Professor, frowning fiercely. "It is that Dr. Fenwick?"
[Pg 135]
"No, it is not."
"I do not think he would care to marry you."
"And I don't want to marry him, though I think him a very nice young gentleman."
"Who is it, then?"
"If you must know," said Ruth, pettishly, "it is that young man who took supper with us not long ago."
"The young man from the country?"
"Yes."
"But what do you see in him, Mees Ruth. He is a yokel."
"A what?"
"He is a very worthy young man, I do not doubt, but what does he know? He is a farmer, is he not, with no ideas beyond his paternal acres?"
"Prof. Poppendorf, I will not have you speak so of my Stephen," said Ruth, while a wave of anger passed over her face.
"Ah, that is his name. Stephen.[Pg 136] Pardon, Mees Ruth! I do not wish to say anything against this rural young man, but he will never give you the position which I offer you."
"Perhaps not, but I like him better."
"Ach, so. Then is my dream at an end; I did hope to have you for my frau, and haf a happy home and a loving companion in my declining years."
His tone seemed so mournful that Ruth was touched with pity and remorse.
"Prof. Poppendorf," she said, gently, "you must not be too much disappointed. There are many who would appreciate the honor of marrying you. Why do you not ask Mrs. Wyman?"
"She is a butterfly—a flirt. I would not marry her if there were no other woman living."
The young woman from Macy's quite agreed with the Professor, and it was not without satisfaction that she heard him express himself in this manner.
"Well," she continued, "then there is[Pg 137] Miss Blagden. She is of a more suitable age."
"The Disagreeable Woman. What do you take me for, Mees Ruth? She is too strong-minded."
"Perhaps so, but I am sure she has a kind heart."
"I should never be happy with her—never!" said the Professor, decidedly.
"Were you ever married, Professor?" asked Ruth with sudden curiosity.
"Yes, I was married when I was thirty—but my Gretchen only lived two years. I haf mourned for her more than thirty years."
"You have waited a long time, Professor."
"Yes; till I saw you, Mees Ruth, I never haf seen the woman I wanted to marry. Perhaps," he added with sudden hope, "this young man, Stephen, does not wish to marry you."
"He will be only too glad," said Ruth,[Pg 138] tossing her head. "He offered himself to me a year ago."
"Then there is no hope for me?"
"None at all, Professor."
They had reached Waverley Place, and so there was no time for further conversation. As they came up the stoop Mrs. Wyman saw them through the window. She was in waiting in the hall.
"Have you had a nice walk together?" she purred.
"How I hate that woman!" said Ruth to herself.
She ran up stairs and prepared for supper.
CHAPTER XVI. SITS THE WIND IN THAT QUARTER.
Of course I attended the Patti concert. The seat given me was in the best part of the house, and I felt somewhat bashful when I found that all my neighbors wore dress suits. My own suit—the best I had—was beginning to show the marks of wear, but I did not dare go to the expense of another.
My next neighbor was an elderly gentleman, bordering upon sixty. In the twenty minutes that elapsed before the rise of the curtain we fell into a pleasant conversation. It was pleasant to find that he was becoming interested in me.
"You enjoy Patti?" he said. "But[Pg 140] then I hardly need ask that. Your presence here is sufficient evidence."
"I have no doubt I shall enjoy Patti," I answered. "I have never heard her."
"Indeed? How does that happen?"
"Because I have been only three months in New York. I came here from the country, and of course I had no chance to hear her there."
"Excuse my curiosity, but you do not look like a business man."
"I am not. I am a practising physician."
"Indeed!" he replied, with interest. "I wish you could cure my rheumatism."
"I should like a chance to try."
This was a little audacious, as probably he had his own family physician, but it came naturally upon his remark.
"You shall try," he said, impulsively. "My family physician has failed to benefit me."
"It may be so with me."
"At any rate I will try you. Can you[Pg 141] call at my house to-morrow at eleven o'clock?"
"I will do so with pleasure."
He gave me his card. I found that his name was Gregory Vincent, and that he lived in one of the finest parts of Madison Avenue. It occurred to me that he was perhaps imprudent in trusting an unknown young physician, but I was not foolish enough to tell him so.
"I will call," I said with professional gravity, and I entered the name and engagement in my medical note-book.
Here the curtain rose, and our thoughts were soon occupied by the stage.
When the concert was over, my new friend as he shook my hand, said, "I can rely upon your calling to-morrow, Dr. Fenwick?"
"I will not fail you."
"I don't know how it is," he said, "but though we are strangers I have a prophetic instinct that you can help me."
"I will do my best, Mr. Vincent."
[Pg 142]
Congratulating myself on my new and promising patient, I made my way into the lobby. There presently I met Mrs. Wyman and Count Penelli. I learned later that she had purchased two cheap seats and invited the Count to accompany her. They had
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