Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 163: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

154 ARTHURS OPINION. slightest caprice? What an absurd question, then, to put to me!”’ ) | ‘“No one could live with you and not realize that fact,’’ said Dick; ‘‘but, seriously, what is your opinion of her?’’ ‘“Well,’’ began the other, moving back from the table and settling himself comfortably, ‘‘if I am to be catechised —and I don’t mind it much, as I feel rather talkative to- day—to begin with, I admire her, of course, but in the same way I would a beautiful painting or a masterpiece of any kind.”’ ‘‘T don’t follow you.’’ ‘She lacks something to make her quite to my taste.”’ ‘*What does she lack?”’ ‘*Perhaps you might call it—soul.”’ ‘*Never!’’ exclaimed Dick, decidedly. ‘Tf you don’t relish my opinion, why on earth did you ask for it? Bear in mind, it isa precious article and seldom thrust upon any one, therefore receive it with proper re- spect,’’ replied Arthur. ‘All right. Beg your pardon. Go on.”’ ‘Then, she is cold—cold as ice. She has never loved in her life and never will; she is not built for the tender pas- sion. I could not imagine her a tender wife or mother.’’ Dick made another movement, as though to again con- tradict him, but refrained. ‘She is unlike most young women in lots of ways—she is totally unimpressionable; she exists, but has never lived a single day.”’ ‘‘She reads constantly,’’ said Dick. ‘*Oh, yes, and if she has a world, it is found within the two covers of a musty old volume—not even a yellow one’s, Gomichookssco im