“Are those my only choices?”
“I fear they are. Of course, youcouldcease stalking, cease sulking, and make yourself amiable for your friend’s sake. His standing in the community might be adversely affected by your disposition.”
“My disposition?”
“Yes sir. The wordshaughty, arrogant,andproudhave been spoken; but of course, by your social inferiors. It may not matter to you, but it does to them. I hope I do not offend with my candour.”
“Actually… candour is appreciated, andrare. However, I have not the honour of knowing any lady beyond my own party.”
“True; and nobody can ever be introduced in a ballroom! Is your protégé similarly sulking, or happily dancing?“
“I have not the talent which some people possess, of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”
“I have not the talent which some people possess, of detecting the difference between a wall, a closed door, an open door, and a cliff. I cannot catch the tone of my boots except in a very quiet room. I cannot appear interested in architecture, as I often see done, and I find it most inconvenient when I mistake a wall for an open door.”
“Are you mocking me, madam?”
“I am! You say you cannot converse easily when surrounded by enemies?”
“I did not say that.”
“But you thought it, or something very similar!”
“Did you trade your eyesight for the ability to read minds?”
“Touché, sir… or is that word considered unpatriotic… never-mind… I was always a studier of characters. Complex characters are more interesting, and you are my victim for the moment. You are mostly helpless since no gentleman would pick on a blind girl, and if you stalk away angrily, your expression will be entirely wasted on me, but not on the rest of the room.”
“You are refreshingly confusing, Miss Elizabeth. Pray, continue your chastisement at your leisure.”
“You say you cannot catch their tone of voice? Tone of voice isallI have now. I just had to practise, but I imagine you do not trouble yourself.”
“You give your opinion very decidedly—”
“—For a blind woman?”
“Do not put words in my mouth. I have enough trouble with the ones I put there myself.”
“Touché again, sir!”
“Would it be untoward to ask—”
“Ask anything you like. That is the benefit of talking to me; the reward for tolerating my impertinence and your obviously acute embarrassment.”
“I do not understand.”
“I am the safest conversationalist in this room… even safer than that woman you arrived with… who is clearly stalking you. By the by, I might recommend a stout lock on your room or a large dog—perhaps both!”
“How did you know—”
“Patience. Am I wrong?”
“Probably not.”
“Shall I answeryourimpertinent question?”
“I cannot even remember what it was.”
“Would it be untoward to ask?There are benefits to talking to a blind woman.”
