There was no
danger, however, for beyond the northern point of Try-again Inlet the
water lay smooth all along the shore. Dr. Beauregard here called on
Plinny to admire the scenery, and, borrowing her sketchbook and
pencil, dashed off a bold drawing of Cape Fea as, rounding a little
to the westward, we caught sight of it standing out boldly against
the afternoon sun. As he drew it, he guided the talk gently back to
ordinary topics--to England and English scenery, to the charm of
English domestic architecture, and particularly of our great country
seats, to gardens and gardening, of which he professed himself a
devotee.
"Ah," he sighed at length, drawing a long breath; "if you, my
friends, only knew how much of what is happiest in life you carry in
your own breasts! I used--forgive me--to laugh at such pleasures as
I am enjoying at this moment, I see that nothing but gaiety and a
simple heart can bring a man peace at the last--and now it is too
late to begin!"
Plinny, not understanding in the least, opened wide eyes upon him.
His tone seemed to ask for her pity.
"Yes, yes. I have sought hard for pleasure and grudged no price for
it; but the stuff I bought was all flash and sham--like this fool's
diamonds--flash and sham, and the end of it weariness.
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