The Man with a Secret by Fergus Hume — Read

Only a woman's heart -- indeed; A sacred thing to you, you say, To me, a toy, with which to play. Ah, well, let each hold fast his creed. / What matter should it chance to bleed, Is it a man's cut finger? -- nay, Only a woman's heart. / On ancient tales your fancies feed, When woman ruled in saintly way, But we have changed such things to-day. For, after all, what use to heed? Only a woman's heart.

Seeing that Reginald had thus escaped him for a time, Mr. Beaumont's temper was none of the sweetest when he arrived back at his chambers. Like most clever men the artist was very proud of his tact and delicacy in dealing with ingenuous youth, and he felt annoyed with himself lest by failing to skilfully angle for this trout, he should have lost his prize by failing in his diplomacy, and thereby shown too plainly the real reasons he had for his apparently disinterested friendship. So, on arrival at his chambers, Mr. Beaumont lighted a cigarette, threw himself moodily into a big arm-chair, and proceeded to mentally review all his conduct towards Reginald since the lad's arrival in town.