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The Egotist Considers
"Well,itisfunny,Isabelle,andweweretalkingtheotherdayaboutasenseofhumorbeing—"
Shewaslookingathimwithsomethingthatwasnotasmile,ratherthefaint,mirthlessechoofasmile,inthecornersofhermouth.
"Oh,shutup!"shecriedsuddenly,andfleddownthehallwaytowardherroom.Amorystoodthere,coveredwithremorsefulconfusion.
"Damn!"
WhenIsabellereappearedshehadthrownalightwrapabouthershoulders,andtheydescendedthestairsinasilencethatenduredthroughdinner.
"Isabelle,"hebeganrathertestily,astheyarrangedthemselvesinthecar,boundforadanceattheGreenwichCountryClub,"you’reangry,andI’llbe,too,inaminute.Let’skissandmakeup."
Isabelleconsideredglumly.
"Ihatetobelaughedat,"shesaidfinally.
"Iwon’tlaughanymore.I’mnotlaughingnow,amI?"
"Youdid."
"Oh,don’tbesodarnedfeminine."
Herlipscurledslightly.
"I’llbeanythingIwant."
Amorykepthistemperwithdifficulty.HebecameawarethathehadnotanounceofrealaffectionforIsabelle,buthercoldnesspiquedhim.Hewantedtokissher,kissheralot,becausethenheknewhecouldleaveinthemorningandnotcare.Onthecontrary,ifhedidn’tkissher,itwouldworryhim....Itwouldinterferevaguelywithhisideaofhimselfasaconqueror.Itwasn’tdignifiedtocomeoffsecondbest,pleading,withadoughtywarriorlikeIsabelle.
Perhapsshesuspectedthis.
