But billiards! what statuesque postures, what freedom of gesture, what swaying grace and vivacious energy this game involves! And then the attendant distractions,--the pinching together of the hand, to form the needed notch, the perfect art of which, like fist-clenching, is unattainable by woman, who substitutes some queerness all her own,--the fierce grasping and propulsion of the cue,--the loving reclension upon the table when the long shots come in,--the dainty foot, uprising, to preserve the owner's balance, but, as it gleams suspended, destroying the observer's,--all combine, as they did this time, to scatter stern promptings of duty beyond recalling.
First, Arabella's little hand must be moulded into a bridge, and, being slow to cramp itself correctly, though pliant as a politician's conscience, the operation of folding it together had to be many times repeated. Next, shots must be made for her, she retaining her hold of the cue, to get into the way of it. Then all went on smoothly with her, turbulently with me, until, enthusiastically excited, she must be lifted on to the table's edge, "just to try one lovely little shot," which escaped her reach from the ground.
We were alone. Arabella perched upon the table, jubilant at having achieved a pocket,--I dismal and blue, beside her.
I looked around through each window, inclined my ear to the door, swept an arm around her waist, and forgot to proceed.
"Oh, Arabella! Arabella! wherefore art thou Arabella?"
"Do you wish I were somebody else?" she asked, slyly.
"Frank, do you know him?" (With a luminous face.)
"Of his relations with Miss Tarlingford."
"Dear me! my sister Anna. Don't be absurd!"
"No,--you knew nothing of her; the worse for you! You avoided her,--I'm sure I don't see why,--and she is retiring."
"What word? You vex me; you puzzle me; take me down."
"Forgive me, dear Arabella! I'm too delighted to explain. I never will explain. I thought it was you on whom Frank's affections were fixed."
"Dear, no! Frank is sensible; he knows better; he has judgment"; and she laughed a quiet laugh, and made as if she would jump down.
As she descended, two heads caromed together with a click. It was the irrepressible influence of the billiard atmosphere, I suppose. No one contemplated it.