"Finally, I am much too fond of your delightful country to wish to
leave it. I was educated in England--I am a Magdalene College man--and
I have the greatest horror of ever being compelled to leave it. My
present life suits me exactly. That is all I wished to say, Mr. Bleke.
For both our sakes, for the sake of my comfort and your purse, abandon
this scheme of yours."
* * * * *
Roland walked home thoughtfully. Maraquita had left the royal residence
long before he had finished the whisky-and-soda which the genial
monarch had pressed upon him. As he walked, the futility of his
situation came home to him more and more. Whatever he did, he was bound
to displease somebody; and these Paranoyans were so confoundedly
impulsive when they were vexed.
For two days he avoided Maraquita. On the third, with something of the
instinct which draws the murderer to the spot where he has buried the
body, he called at her house.
She was not present, but otherwise there was a full gathering. There
were the marquises; there were the counts; there was Bombito.
He looked unhappily round the crowd.
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