And my Infanta will
make me one promise."
"I would promise you any thing."
"Never knowingly to read those sneering books," he said, laying his
hand on hers. "Current literature is so full of poisoned shafts that
it may not be possible entirely to avoid them; and there may
sometimes be need to face out a serious argument, but you will
promise me never to take up that scoffing style of literature for
mere amusement?"
"Never, Duke, I promise," she said. "I shall always see your face,
and feel your hand forbidding me."
Then as he leant back, half in thankfulness, half in weariness, she
went on looking over the book, and read a preface, new to her.
"I have put these selections together, thinking that to the original
'Travellers' it may be a joy to have a memorial of happy days full of
much innocent pleasure and wholesome intercourse. Let me here
express my warm gratitude for all the refreshments afforded by the
friendships it commemorates, and which makes the name most truly
appropriate. As a stranger and pilgrim whose journey may be near its
close, let me be allowed thus to weave a parting garland of some of
the brightest flowers that have bloomed on the wayside, and in
dedicating the collection to my dear companions and fellow-wanderers
in the scenes it records, let me wish that on the highway of life
that stretches before them, they may meet with many a 'Traveller's
Joy,' as true as they have been to the Editor.
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