"So I shall learn the newspaper trade; go in and be a writer as you are--only not so brilliant--and then, if it were necessary, I could earn my own way." Now Richard knew these industrious resolutions to be the veriest webs of subterfuge.

Their duplicity was apparent, and they were spun for him.
Dorothy owned no thought of missing his morning calls, and had met Senator Hanway's courtesies of the veranda door with a move in flank.
The news cocked up the spirits of Richard excessively, and gave to his Farnese shoulders an insolent swing as he strutted up and down the library.

He had expected Dorothy to reproach him for the soft violence done her fingers; but she made no mention of it.

Whereupon--in such manner do unchecked iniquities multiply upon themselves--Richard turned towards her with a purpose of again outraging those little fingers with the burden of a fresh caress.

The little fingers, grown wary, however, were in discreet retirement behind Dorothy, as, with her back to the window, she stood facing him.