For a few moments Adrian said nothing in response to this keen analysis of character, which corresponded so well to his longer opportunity of observation, but sat silently eyeing the fire in serious thought.
Suddenly he broke out with impassioned eagerness.
“Randal, you are my own twin brother----”
“I am obliged to admit it,” interpolated Randal flippantly.
“--my other self. The tie that binds us seems to me closer than with other brothers. We came into the world together; we have lived hand in hand almost all our lives; we even look alike.”
“And make a precious good job of it too,” declared Randal gaily.
“We feel alike; we believe alike; we have been educated in the same traditions; we respect the sanctities of the old fireside teachings; we have not strayed after strange gods.”
Randal had taken his cigar from his lips and in his half recumbent position was gazing keenly at his brother.
“Just this--you are not looking forward to this divorce in the hope--the expectation of marrying this woman? Are you? Tell me.”
Randal’s eyes flashed. “What do you take me for?” he said angrily between his set teeth. “She could never again be anything to me,--not even if Floyd-Rosney were at the bottom of the Mississippi River.”
“Oh, how this relieves my mind,” cried Adrian.
“You may set it at rest,--for I could never again love that woman.”
“I know that I have no right to interfere or even to question--but you always appreciate my motives, Randal. You are the best fellow in the world.”
“I always thought so,” said Randal, smoking hard.
“I believe she will expect it,” suggested Adrian, still with some anxiety.
“She will be grievously disappointed, then,--and turn about is fair play.”
“I want you to guard against any soft surprise,” said Adrian. “She seemed so sure of you. She said you were the only friend she had in the world. She came to the Adelantado Hotel to find you--that you should lend her ten dollars for the railroad fare to Ingleside!”
“I want you to look out for her. She is a designing woman. She is heartily tired of her bargain, and with reason, and she wants to pick up the happiness she threw away five years ago----”
“She has enjoyed an artful combination of real poverty and fictitious splendor. I want you to be frank with me, Randal, and confide in me, and----”