The cuts and slashes are cherished and memory is a store-
house for the spoils that must be shared with vanity."
"It sounds like a book. Who is your favourite author?" she inquired
lightly.
"Baedeker," he replied, with promptness. "Without my Baedeker, I
should never have chanced upon the route travelled by love, nor the
hotel where I now lodge in close proximity to--"
"Will you please be sensible?"
"You invite something to the contrary, Bedelia," he ventured.
"Haven't I requested you to--"
"I think of you only as Bedelia," he made haste to explain. "Bedelia
will stick to you forever, you see, while Miss Guile is almost
ephemeral. It cannot live long, you know, with so many other names
eager to take its place. But Bedelia--ah, Bedelia is everlasting."
She laughed joyously, naturally. "You really are quite wonderful, Mr.
Schmidt. Still I must change the subject. I trust the change will not
affect your glibness, for it is quite exhilarating. How long do you
purpose remaining in Interlaken?"
"That isn't changing the subject," said he.
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