"What?" cried Xanthippe. "My husband propose anything that would
contribute to my pleasure or intellectual advancement? Bah! Your story is
transparently false at the outset."
"Nevertheless," said Kidd, "the scheme was proposed by Socrates. He said a
trip of that kind for Xanthippe would be very restful and health-giving."
"For me?" cried Xanthippe, sceptically.
"No, madame, for him," retorted Kidd.
"Ah--ho-ho! That's the way of it, eh?" said Xanthippe, flushing to the
roots of her hair. "Very likely. You--ah--you will excuse my doubting your
word, Captain Kidd, a moment since. I withdraw my remark, and in order to
make fullest reparation, I beg to assure these ladies that I am now
perfectly convinced that you are telling the truth. That last observation
is just like my husband, and when I get back home again, if I ever do,
well--ha, ha!--we'll have a merry time, that's all."
"And what was--ah--Bassanio's connection with this affair?" added Portia,
hesitatingly.
"He was not informed of it," said Kidd, archly. "I am not acquainted with
Bassanio, my lady, but I overheard Sir Walter enjoining upon the others
the absolute necessity of keeping the whole affair from Bassanio, because
he was afraid he would not consent to it. 'Bassanio has a most beautiful
wife, gentlemen,' said Sir Walter, 'and he wouldn't think of parting with
her under any circumstances; therefore let us keep our intentions a secret
from him.
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