I could have yelled for joy. We were about to learn something of the
Blind Spot--something that might help us to save Harry, and Chick, and
the professor!
Ariadne seemed to know that a great deal depended upon what she was
about to tell us. She deliberately sat down, and rested her chin upon
her hand, as though determining upon the best way of telling something
very difficult to express.
As for Charlotte, Jerry, and myself, we managed somehow to restrain our
curiosity enough to keep silence. But we could not help glancing more or
less wonderingly at our visitor. Presently I realised this, and got up
and walked quietly about, as though intent upon a problem of my own.
Which was true enough. I had come to a very startling conclusion--I,
Hobart Fenton, had fallen in love!
What was more, this affection of the heart had come to me, a very strong
man, just as an affection of the lungs is said to strike such men--all
of a sudden and hard. One moment I had been a sturdy, independent soul,
intent upon scientific investigation, the only symptoms of sentimental
potentialities being my perfectly normal love for my sister and for my
old friend. Then, before my very eyes, I had been smitten thus!
And the worst part of it was, I found myself ENJOYING the sensation. It
made not the slightest difference to me that I had fallen in love with
a girl who was only a step removed from a wraith. Mysteriously she had
come to me; as mysteriously she might depart. I had yet to know from
what sort of country she had come!
But that made no difference. She was HERE, in the same house with me;
I had held her hands; and I knew her to be very, very real indeed just
then. And when I considered the possibility of her disappearing just as
inexplicably as she had come--well, my face went cold, I admit. But at
the same time I felt sure of this much--I should never love any other
woman.
The thought left me sober. I paused in my pacing and looked at her. As
though in answer to my gaze she glanced up and smiled so affectionately
that it was all I could do to keep from leaping forward and taking her
right into my arms.
I turned hastily, and to cover my confusion I began to hum a strain from
the part of “Faust” to which I have referred. I hummed it through, and
was beginning again, when I was startled to hear this from the girl:
“Oh, then you are Hobart!”