Zuleika Dobson, or, an Oxford love story

by Max Beerbohm

"I must ask you to forgive her. She appears to be a bright, pleasant young woman." "Married?" asked the Duke. "No," said the Warden; and a cloud of annoyance crossed the boy's face. "No; she devotes her life entirely to good works." "A hospital nurse?" the Duke murmured. "No, Zuleika's appointed task is to induce delightful wonder rather than to alleviate pain. She performs conjuring-tricks." "Not—not Miss Zuleika Dobson?" cried the Duke. "Ah yes. I forgot that she had achieved some fame in the outer world. Perhaps she has already met you?" "Never," said the young man coldly. "But of course I have heard of Miss Dobson. I did not know she was related to you." The Duke had an intense horror of unmarried girls. All his vacations were spent in eluding them and their chaperons. That he should be confronted with one of them—with such an one of them!—in Oxford, seemed to him sheer violation of sanctuary. The tone, therefore, in which he said "I shall be charmed," in answer to the Warden's request that he would take Zuleika into dinner, was very glacial. So was his gaze when, a moment later, the young lady made her entry.