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"So I see" He sot the impression that he was not a man who s the rest of the day on ht introduce yourself"

Belle hesitated, unable to discern whether he was being condescending or polite "I'm sorry I am Lady Arabella Blydon"

"Pleased to meet you, my lady And I am John, Lord Blackwood"

"How do you do?"

"Very well, but you still need spectacles"

Belle felt her spine stiffen Eet her eyes examined for the last month, but they were, after all, faer and certainly had no right to offer her such a suggestion "You can be sure I will take your advice under consideration," she raciously

John inclined his head, a wry s?"

"The Winter's Tale " Belle sat back and waited for the usual condescending co

"An excellent play, but not, I think, Shakespeare's finest," John commented "I myself am partial to CoriolanusIt's not very well-known, but I quite liked it You ot to be pleased that she hadher to read and said, "Thank you for the suggestion, but I've read it already"

"I'm impressed," John said "Have you read Othello ?"

She nodded

" The Tempest ?"

"Yes"

John searched his brain for the most obscure

Shakespearean work he could recall "What about The Passionate Pilgrih it" Belle tried but couldn't stop the s across her face