RODERICK HUDSON
away. Poor Assunta, sitting patiently on a stone bench and unprovided on this occasion with military consolation, gave him a bright frank smile which might have been construed as an expression of regret for herself and of intelligence for her mistress. Rowland presently seated himself again near that young woman.
"What do you think of your friend's infidelity to that person in the little place?" she asked with a sudden look at him.
"I don't like it."
"Was he very much in love with her?"
"He requested the favour of her hand. You may judge."
"Is she also poor?"
"Yes, she 's also poor."
"Is she very much in love with him?"
"I know her too little to say."
She paused again and then resumed. "You've settled in your mind then that I 'll never seriously listen to him?"
"I shall think it unlikely until the contrary 's proved."
"How shall it be proved? How do you know what passes between us?"
"I can judge of course only from appearances; but, like you, I am an observer. Hudson has not at all to me the air of the lucky lover."
"If he has a bad air there 's a good reason. His bad air 's his bad conscience. One must hope so at least. On the other hand, simply as a friend," she continued gently, "you think I can do him no good?"
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