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Chapter IV
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CHAPTER IV ouis ARNOLD, the only other member of the Levice family , had been forced to leave town on business the morning after Mrs* Levice's attack at the Merrill reception . He was, therefore, much surprised and shocked on his return , a week later, to find his aunt in bed and such rigorous measures for quiet in vogue. Arnold had been an inmate of the house for the past twelve years. He was a direct importation from France, which he had left just before attaining his majority, through Levice's urgent plea for "the arm of a son" in his declining years. He had no sooner taken up his abode with his uncle than he was regarded as the most useful and ornamental piece of foreign vertu in the beautiful house. Being a business man by nature, keen, wary, and indefatigable, he was soon able to take almost the entire charge of Levice's affairs. After a few years his uncle had ceased to question his business capabilities. From the time he arrived, he naturally fell into the position of his aunt's escort, thus again relieving Levice, who preferred the quieter life. When Ruth began to go into society, his presence was almost a necessity, as Jewish etiquette, or rather Jewish espionage, forbade , in those days, a young man unattached by blood or intentions to appear as the attendant of a single woman. This was one of the well-intentioned unwritten laws Jewish heads of families sternly held to—keeping the young people apart—making the young men graceless, and depriving the young girls of a great deal of innocent pleasure. Arnold, however, was not an escort to be despised, as Ruth soon discovered. She very quickly felt a sort of family pride in 84 OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL his cool, quizzical manner and caustic repartee, which was wholly distinct from her more girlish admiration of his distinguished person. He and Ruth were great friends in a quiet, unspoken fashion. They were sitting together alone in the library on the evening of his return. Mrs. Levice had fallen asleep, and her husband was sitting with her. Ruth had stolen down to keep Louis company, knowing he would feel lost in the changed order of the house. Arnold lay at full length on a couch; Ruth was sunk in a deep, winged-backed chair. "What I am surprised at," he was saying, "is that my aunt submits to this confining treatment." He pronounced the last word "tritment," but he never stopped at a word because of its pronunciation, thus adding a certain piquancy to his speech. "You wouldn't be surprised if you knew Dr. Kemp; one follows his directions blindly." "So I have heard from a great many—women/' "And not men?" "I have never happened to hold a conversation with a man on the powers of Dr. Kemp. Women delight in such things." "What things?" "Why, giving in to the magnetic power of a strong man." "You err slightly, Louis; it's the power, not the giving in, we delight in, counting it an attractive part of manliness." "Will you allow me to differ with you? Besides, apart from this great first cause, I do not understand how, after a week of it, she has not rebelled." "I think I can answer that satisfactorily," replied his cousin, a mischievous smile parting her lips and showing a row of strong white teeth. "She is in love." "Also?" "With father; and so does as she knows will please him best. Love is also something everyone loves to give in to." "Everyone who loves, you mean." "Everyone loves something or someone." "Behold the exception, then." He moved his head so as to get a better view of her. [54.166.223.204] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 14:18 GMT) OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL 85 "I don't believe you," "That—is rude," He kept his eyes meditatively fixed upon her, "Have you made a discovery in my face?" she asked presently, slightly moving from his gaze, "No," he replied calmly, "My discovery was made some time ago, I am merely going over beautiful and pleasant ground," "Really?" she returned, flushing, "Then please look away now; you annoy me," "Why should I, since you know it is done in admiration? You are a woman; don't pretend distaste for it," "I'll certainly go upstairs if you persist in talking so hatefully," "Indulge me a little; I feel like talking, and...