Even the
obvious fact, that, if Leonore was not in love with him, she was also
not in love with any one else, did not cheer him. There is a flag in the
navy known as the Blue-Peter. That evening, Peter could have supplied
our whole marine, with considerable bunting to spare.
But even worse was in store for him on the morrow. When he joined
Leonore in the Park that day, she proved to him that woman has as much
absolute brutality as the lowest of prize-fighters. Women get the
reputation of being less brutal, because of their dread of
blood-letting. Yet when it comes to torturing the opposite sex in its
feelings, they are brutes compared with their sufferers.
"Do you know," said Leonore, "that this is almost our last ride
together?"
"Don't jerk the reins needlessly, Peter," said Mutineer, crossly.
"I hope not," said Peter.
"We have changed our plans. Instead of going to Newport next week, I
have at last persuaded papa to travel a little, so that I can see
something of my own country, and not be so shamefully ignorant.
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