And particularly there was the Conquering Amanda not so much proud
of her beauty as eager to test it, so that she was not unmindful of
the stir she made in hotel lounges, nor of the magic that may shine
memorably through the most commonplace incidental conversation.
This Amanda was only too manifestly pleased to think that she made
peasant lovers discontented and hotel porters unmercenary; she let
her light shine before men. We lovers, who had deemed our own
subjugation a profound privilege, love not this further
expansiveness of our lady's empire. But Benham knew that no
aristocrat can be jealous; jealousy he held to be the vice of the
hovel and farmstead and suburban villa, and at an enormous
expenditure of will he ignored Amanda's waving flags and roving
glances. So, too, he denied that Amanda who was sharp and shrewd
about money matters, that flash of an Amanda who was greedy for
presents and possessions, that restless Amanda who fretted at any
cessation of excitement, and that darkly thoughtful Amanda whom
chance observations and questions showed to be still considering an
account she had to settle with Lady Marayne.
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