English
Itwas,asMrs.ArchersmilinglysaidtoMrs.Welland,agreateventforayoungcoupletogivetheirfirstbigdinner.
TheNewlandArchers,sincetheyhadsetuptheirhousehold,hadreceivedagooddealofcompanyinaninformalway.
Archerwasfondofhavingthreeorfourfriendstodine,andMaywelcomedthemwiththebeamingreadinessofwhichhermotherhadsethertheexampleinconjugalaffairs.
Herhusbandquestionedwhether,iflefttoherself,shewouldeverhaveaskedanyonetothehouse;buthehadlonggivenuptryingtodisengageherrealselffromtheshapeintowhichtraditionandtraininghadmouldedher.
Itwasexpectedthatwell–offyoungcouplesinNewYorkshoulddoagooddealofinformalentertaining,andaWellandmarriedtoanArcherwasdoublypledgedtothetradition.
Butabigdinner,withahiredchefandtwoborrowedfootmen,withRomanpunch,rosesfromHenderson's,andmenusongilt–edgedcards,wasadifferentaffair,andnottobelightlyundertaken.
AsMrs.Archerremarked,theRomanpunchmadeallthedifference;notinitselfbutbyitsmanifoldimplications—sinceitsignifiedeithercanvas–backsorterrapin,twosoups,ahotandacoldsweet,fulldecolletagewithshortsleeves,andguestsofaproportionateimportance.
Itwasalwaysaninterestingoccasionwhenayoungpairlaunchedtheirfirstinvitationsinthethirdperson,andtheirsummonswasseldomrefusedevenbytheseasonedandsought–after.
Still,itwasadmittedlyatriumphthatthevanderLuydens,atMay'srequest,shouldhavestayedoverinordertobepresentatherfarewelldinnerfortheCountessOlenska.
Thetwomothers–in–lawsatinMay'sdrawing–roomontheafternoonofthegreatday,Mrs.ArcherwritingoutthemenusonTiffany'sthickestgilt–edgedbristol,whileMrs.Wellandsuperintendedtheplacingofthepalmsandstandardlamps.
Archer,arrivinglatefromhisoffice,foundthemstillthere.
Mrs.Archerhadturnedherattentiontothename–cardsforthetable,andMrs.Wellandwasconsideringtheeffectofbringingforwardthelargegiltsofa,sothatanother"corner"mightbecreatedbetweenthepianoandthewindow.
May,theytoldhim,wasinthedining–roominspectingthemoundofJacqueminotrosesandmaidenhairinthecentreofthelongtable,andtheplacingoftheMaillardbonbonsinopenworksilverbasketsbetweenthecandelabra.
OnthepianostoodalargebasketoforchidswhichMr.vanderLuydenhadhadsentfromSkuytercliff.
Everythingwas,inshort,asitshouldbeontheapproachofsoconsiderableanevent.
Mrs.Archerranthoughtfullyoverthelist,checkingoffeachnamewithhersharpgoldpen.
"HenryvanderLuyden—Louisa—theLovellMingotts—theReggieChiverses—LawrenceLeffertsandGertrude—(yes,IsupposeMaywasrighttohavethem)—theSelfridgeMerrys,SillertonJackson,VanNewlandandhiswife.(Howtimepasses!
Itseemsonlyyesterdaythathewasyourbestman,Newland)—andCountessOlenska—yes,Ithinkthat'sall...."
Mrs.Wellandsurveyedherson–in–lawaffectionately."Noonecansay,Newland,thatyouandMayarenotgivingEllenahandsomesend–off."
"Ah,well,"saidMrs.Archer,"IunderstandMay'swantinghercousintotellpeopleabroadthatwe'renotquitebarbarians."
"I'msureEllenwillappreciateit.Shewastoarrivethismorning,Ibelieve.
Itwillmakeamostcharminglastimpression.
Theeveningbeforesailingisusuallysodreary,"Mrs.Wellandcheerfullycontinued.
Archerturnedtowardthedoor,andhismother–in–lawcalledtohim:"Dogoinandhaveapeepatthetable.
Anddon'tletMaytireherselftoomuch."
Butheaffectednottohear,andsprangupthestairstohislibrary.
Theroomlookedathimlikeanaliencountenancecomposedintoapolitegrimace;andheperceivedthatithadbeenruthlessly"tidied,"andprepared,byajudiciousdistributionofash–traysandcedar–woodboxes,forthegentlementosmokein.
"Ah,well,"hethought,"it'snotforlong—"andhewentontohisdressing–room.
TendayshadpassedsinceMadameOlenska'sdeparturefromNewYork.
DuringthosetendaysArcherhadhadnosignfromherbutthatconveyedbythereturnofakeywrappedintissuepaper,andsenttohisofficeinasealedenvelopeaddressedinherhand.
Thisretorttohislastappealmighthavebeeninterpretedasaclassicmoveinafamiliargame;buttheyoungmanchosetogiveitadifferentmeaning.
Shewasstillfightingagainstherfate;butshewasgoingtoEurope,andshewasnotreturningtoherhusband.
Nothing,therefore,wastopreventhisfollowingher;andoncehehadtakentheirrevocablestep,andhadprovedtoherthatitwasirrevocable,hebelievedshewouldnotsendhimaway.
Thisconfidenceinthefuturehadsteadiedhimtoplayhispartinthepresent.
Ithadkepthimfromwritingtoher,orbetraying,byanysignoract,hismiseryandmortification.
Itseemedtohimthatinthedeadlysilentgamebetweenthemthetrumpswerestillinhishands;andhewaited.
Therehadbeen,nevertheless,momentssufficientlydifficulttopass;aswhenMr.Letterblair,thedayafterMadameOlenska'sdeparture,hadsentforhimtogooverthedetailsofthetrustwhichMrs.MansonMingottwishedtocreateforhergranddaughter.
ForacoupleofhoursArcherhadexaminedthetermsofthedeedwithhissenior,allthewhileobscurelyfeelingthatifhehadbeenconsulteditwasforsomereasonotherthantheobviousoneofhiscousinship;andthatthecloseoftheconferencewouldrevealit.
"Well,theladycan'tdenythatit'sahandsomearrangement,"Mr.Letterblairhadsummedup,aftermumblingoverasummaryofthesettlement.
"InfactI'mboundtosayshe'sbeentreatedprettyhandsomelyallround."
"Allround?"Archerechoedwithatouchofderision."Doyourefertoherhusband'sproposaltogiveherbackherownmoney?"
Mr.Letterblair'sbushyeyebrowswentupafractionofaninch."Mydearsir,thelaw'sthelaw;andyourwife'scousinwasmarriedundertheFrenchlaw.It'stobepresumedsheknewwhatthatmeant."
"Evenifshedid,whathappenedsubsequently—."ButArcherpaused.
Mr.Letterblairhadlaidhispen–handleagainsthisbigcorrugatednose,andwaslookingdownitwiththeexpressionassumedbyvirtuouselderlygentlemenwhentheywishtheiryoungerstounderstandthatvirtueisnotsynonymouswithignorance.
"Mydearsir,I'venowishtoextenuatetheCount'stransgressions;but—butontheotherside...Iwouldn'tputmyhandinthefire...well,thattherehadn'tbeentitfortat...withtheyoungchampion...."Mr.LetterblairunlockedadrawerandpushedafoldedpapertowardArcher.
"Thisreport,theresultofdiscreetenquiries..."Andthen,asArchermadenoefforttoglanceatthepaperortorepudiatethesuggestion,thelawyersomewhatflatlycontinued:"Idon'tsayit'sconclusive,youobserve;farfromit.
Butstrawsshow...andonthewholeit'seminentlysatisfactoryforallpartiesthatthisdignifiedsolutionhasbeenreached."
"Oh,eminently,"Archerassented,pushingbackthepaper.
Adayortwolater,onrespondingtoasummonsfromMrs.MansonMingott,hissoulhadbeenmoredeeplytried.
Hehadfoundtheoldladydepressedandquerulous.
"Youknowshe'sdesertedme?"shebeganatonce;andwithoutwaitingforhisreply:"Oh,don'taskmewhy!
ShegavesomanyreasonsthatI'veforgottenthemall.
Myprivatebeliefisthatshecouldn'tfacetheboredom.
Atanyratethat'swhatAugustaandmydaughters–in–lawthink.
AndIdon'tknowthatIaltogetherblameher.
Olenski'safinishedscoundrel;butlifewithhimmusthavebeenagooddealgayerthanitisinFifthAvenue.
Notthatthefamilywouldadmitthat:theythinkFifthAvenueisHeavenwiththeruedelaPaixthrownin.
AndpoorEllen,ofcourse,hasnoideaofgoingbacktoherhusband.
Sheheldoutasfirmlyaseveragainstthat.
Soshe'stosettledowninPariswiththatfoolMedora....Well,ParisisParis;andyoucankeepacarriagethereonnexttonothing.
Butshewasasgayasabird,andIshallmissher."
Twotears,theparchedtearsoftheold,rolleddownherpuffycheeksandvanishedintheabyssesofherbosom.
"AllIaskis,"sheconcluded,"thattheyshouldn'tbothermeanymore.Imustreallybeallowedtodigestmygruel...."AndshetwinkledalittlewistfullyatArcher.
Itwasthatevening,onhisreturnhome,thatMayannouncedherintentionofgivingafarewelldinnertohercousin.
MadameOlenska'snamehadnotbeenpronouncedbetweenthemsincethenightofherflighttoWashington;andArcherlookedathiswifewithsurprise.
"Adinner—why?"heinterrogated.
Hercolourrose."ButyoulikeEllen—Ithoughtyou'dbepleased."
"It'sawfullynice—yourputtingitinthatway.ButIreallydon'tsee—"
"Imeantodoit,Newland,"shesaid,quietlyrisingandgoingtoherdesk."Herearetheinvitationsallwritten.
Motherhelpedme—sheagreesthatweoughtto."
Shepaused,embarrassedandyetsmiling,andArchersuddenlysawbeforehimtheembodiedimageoftheFamily.
"Oh,allright,"hesaid,staringwithunseeingeyesatthelistofgueststhatshehadputinhishand.
Whenheenteredthedrawing–roombeforedinnerMaywasstoopingoverthefireandtryingtocoaxthelogstoburnintheirunaccustomedsettingofimmaculatetiles.
Thetalllampswerealllit,andMr.vanderLuyden'sorchidshadbeenconspicuouslydisposedinvariousreceptaclesofmodernporcelainandknobbysilver.
Mrs.NewlandArcher'sdrawing–roomwasgenerallythoughtagreatsuccess.
Agiltbamboojardiniere,inwhichtheprimulasandcinerariaswerepunctuallyrenewed,blockedtheaccesstothebaywindow(wheretheold–fashionedwouldhavepreferredabronzereductionoftheVenusofMilo);thesofasandarm–chairsofpalebrocadewerecleverlygroupedaboutlittleplushtablesdenselycoveredwithsilvertoys,porcelainanimalsandefflorescentphotographframes;andtallrosy–shadedlampsshotupliketropicalflowersamongthepalms.
"Idon'tthinkEllenhaseverseenthisroomlightedup,"saidMay,risingflushedfromherstruggle,andsendingaboutheraglanceofpardonablepride.
Thebrasstongswhichshehadproppedagainstthesideofthechimneyfellwithacrashthatdrownedherhusband'sanswer;andbeforehecouldrestorethemMr.andMrs.vanderLuydenwereannounced.
Theotherguestsquicklyfollowed,foritwasknownthatthevanderLuydenslikedtodinepunctually.
Theroomwasnearlyfull,andArcherwasengagedinshowingtoMrs.SelfridgeMerryasmallhighly–varnishedVerbeckhoven"StudyofSheep,"whichMr.WellandhadgivenMayforChristmas,whenhefoundMadameOlenskaathisside.
Shewasexcessivelypale,andherpallormadeherdarkhairseemdenserandheavierthanever.
Perhapsthat,orthefactthatshehadwoundseveralrowsofamberbeadsaboutherneck,remindedhimsuddenlyofthelittleEllenMingotthehaddancedwithatchildren'sparties,whenMedoraMansonhadfirstbroughthertoNewYork.
Theamberbeadsweretryingtohercomplexion,orherdresswasperhapsunbecoming:herfacelookedlustrelessandalmostugly,andhehadneverloveditashedidatthatminute.
Theirhandsmet,andhethoughtheheardhersay:"Yes,we'resailingtomorrowintheRussia—";thentherewasanunmeaningnoiseofopeningdoors,andafteranintervalMay'svoice:"Newland!Dinner'sbeenannounced.Won'tyoupleasetakeEllenin?"
MadameOlenskaputherhandonhisarm,andhenoticedthatthehandwasungloved,andrememberedhowhehadkepthiseyesfixedonittheeveningthathehadsatwithherinthelittleTwenty–thirdStreetdrawing–room.
Allthebeautythathadforsakenherfaceseemedtohavetakenrefugeinthelongpalefingersandfaintlydimpledknucklesonhissleeve,andhesaidtohimself:"IfitwereonlytoseeherhandagainIshouldhavetofollowher—."
Itwasonlyatanentertainmentostensiblyofferedtoa"foreignvisitor"thatMrs.vanderLuydencouldsufferthediminutionofbeingplacedonherhost'sleft.
ThefactofMadameOlenska's"foreignness"couldhardlyhavebeenmoreadroitlyemphasisedthanbythisfarewelltribute;andMrs.vanderLuydenacceptedherdisplacementwithanaffabilitywhichleftnodoubtastoherapproval.
Therewerecertainthingsthathadtobedone,andifdoneatall,donehandsomelyandthoroughly;andoneofthese,intheoldNewYorkcode,wasthetribalrallyaroundakinswomanabouttobeeliminatedfromthetribe.
TherewasnothingonearththattheWellandsandMingottswouldnothavedonetoproclaimtheirunalterableaffectionfortheCountessOlenskanowthatherpassageforEuropewasengaged;andArcher,attheheadofhistable,satmarvellingatthesilentuntiringactivitywithwhichherpopularityhadbeenretrieved,grievancesagainsthersilenced,herpastcountenanced,andherpresentirradiatedbythefamilyapproval.
Mrs.vanderLuydenshoneonherwiththedimbenevolencewhichwashernearestapproachtocordiality,andMr.vanderLuyden,fromhisseatatMay'sright,castdownthetableglancesplainlyintendedtojustifyallthecarnationshehadsentfromSkuytercliff.
Archer,whoseemedtobeassistingatthesceneinastateofoddimponderability,asifhefloatedsomewherebetweenchandelierandceiling,wonderedatnothingsomuchashisownshareintheproceedings.
Ashisglancetravelledfromoneplacidwell–fedfacetoanotherhesawalltheharmless–lookingpeopleengageduponMay'scanvas–backsasabandofdumbconspirators,andhimselfandthepalewomanonhisrightasthecentreoftheirconspiracy.
Andthenitcameoverhim,inavastflashmadeupofmanybrokengleams,thattoallofthemheandMadameOlenskawerelovers,loversintheextremesensepeculiarto"foreign"vocabularies.
Heguessedhimselftohavebeen,formonths,thecentreofcountlesssilentlyobservingeyesandpatientlylisteningears;heunderstoodthat,bymeansasyetunknowntohim,theseparationbetweenhimselfandthepartnerofhisguilthadbeenachieved,andthatnowthewholetribehadralliedabouthiswifeonthetacitassumptionthatnobodyknewanything,orhadeverimaginedanything,andthattheoccasionoftheentertainmentwassimplyMayArcher'snaturaldesiretotakeanaffectionateleaveofherfriendandcousin.
ItwastheoldNewYorkwayoftakinglife"withouteffusionofblood":thewayofpeoplewhodreadedscandalmorethandisease,whoplaceddecencyabovecourage,andwhoconsideredthatnothingwasmoreill–bredthan"scenes,"exceptthebehaviourofthosewhogaverisetothem.
AsthesethoughtssucceededeachotherinhismindArcherfeltlikeaprisonerinthecentreofanarmedcamp.
Helookedaboutthetable,andguessedattheinexorablenessofhiscaptorsfromthetoneinwhich,overtheasparagusfromFlorida,theyweredealingwithBeaufortandhiswife.
"It'stoshowme,"hethought,"whatwouldhappentoME—"andadeathlysenseofthesuperiorityofimplicationandanalogyoverdirectaction,andofsilenceoverrashwords,closedinonhimlikethedoorsofthefamilyvault.
Helaughed,andmetMrs.vanderLuyden'sstartledeyes.
"Youthinkitlaughable?"shesaidwithapinchedsmile."OfcoursepoorRegina'sideaofremaininginNewYorkhasitsridiculousside,Isuppose;"andArchermuttered:"Ofcourse."
Atthispoint,hebecameconsciousthatMadameOlenska'sotherneighbourhadbeenengagedforsometimewiththeladyonhisright.
AtthesamemomenthesawthatMay,serenelyenthronedbetweenMr.vanderLuydenandMr.SelfridgeMerry,hadcastaquickglancedownthetable.
Itwasevidentthatthehostandtheladyonhisrightcouldnotsitthroughthewholemealinsilence.
HeturnedtoMadameOlenska,andherpalesmilemethim.
"Oh,dolet'sseeitthrough,"itseemedtosay.
"Didyoufindthejourneytiring?"heaskedinavoicethatsurprisedhimbyitsnaturalness;andsheansweredthat,onthecontrary,shehadseldomtravelledwithfewerdiscomforts.
"Except,youknow,thedreadfulheatinthetrain,"sheadded;andheremarkedthatshewouldnotsufferfromthatparticularhardshipinthecountryshewasgoingto.
"Inever,"hedeclaredwithintensity,"wasmorenearlyfrozenthanonce,inApril,inthetrainbetweenCalaisandParis."
Shesaidshedidnotwonder,butremarkedthat,afterall,onecouldalwayscarryanextrarug,andthateveryformoftravelhaditshardships;towhichheabruptlyreturnedthathethoughtthemallofnoaccountcomparedwiththeblessednessofgettingaway.
Shechangedcolour,andheadded,hisvoicesuddenlyrisinginpitch:"Imeantodoalotoftravellingmyselfbeforelong."
Atremorcrossedherface,andleaningovertoReggieChivers,hecriedout:"Isay,Reggie,whatdoyousaytoatriproundtheworld:now,nextmonth,Imean?
I'mgameifyouare—"atwhichMrs.ReggiepipedupthatshecouldnotthinkoflettingReggiegotillaftertheMarthaWashingtonBallshewasgettingupfortheBlindAsyluminEasterweek;andherhusbandplacidlyobservedthatbythattimehewouldhavetobepractisingfortheInternationalPolomatch.
ButMr.SelfridgeMerryhadcaughtthephrase"roundtheworld,"andhavingoncecircledtheglobeinhissteam–yacht,heseizedtheopportunitytosenddownthetableseveralstrikingitemsconcerningtheshallownessoftheMediterraneanports.
Though,afterall,headded,itdidn'tmatter;forwhenyou'dseenAthensandSmyrnaandConstantinople,whatelsewasthere?
AndMrs.MerrysaidshecouldneverbetoogratefultoDr.BencombforhavingmadethempromisenottogotoNaplesonaccountofthefever.
"ButyoumusthavethreeweekstodoIndiaproperly,"herhusbandconceded,anxioustohaveitunderstoodthathewasnofrivolousglobe–trotter.
Andatthispointtheladieswentuptothedrawing–room.
Inthelibrary,inspiteofweightierpresences,LawrenceLeffertspredominated.
Thetalk,asusual,hadveeredaroundtotheBeauforts,andevenMr.vanderLuydenandMr.SelfridgeMerry,installedinthehonoraryarm–chairstacitlyreservedforthem,pausedtolistentotheyoungerman'sphilippic.
NeverhadLeffertssoaboundedinthesentimentsthatadornChristianmanhoodandexaltthesanctityofthehome.
Indignationlenthimascathingeloquence,anditwasclearthatifothershadfollowedhisexample,andactedashetalked,societywouldneverhavebeenweakenoughtoreceiveaforeignupstartlikeBeaufort—no,sir,notevenifhe'dmarriedavanderLuydenoraLanninginsteadofaDallas.
Andwhatchancewouldtherehavebeen,Leffertswrathfullyquestioned,ofhismarryingintosuchafamilyastheDallases,ifhehadnotalreadywormedhiswayintocertainhouses,aspeoplelikeMrs.LemuelStruthershadmanagedtowormtheirsinhiswake?
Ifsocietychosetoopenitsdoorstovulgarwomentheharmwasnotgreat,thoughthegainwasdoubtful;butonceitgotinthewayoftoleratingmenofobscureoriginandtaintedwealththeendwastotaldisintegration—andatnodistantdate.
"Ifthingsgoonatthispace,"Leffertsthundered,lookinglikeayoungprophetdressedbyPoole,andwhohadnotyetbeenstoned,"weshallseeourchildrenfightingforinvitationstoswindlers'houses,andmarryingBeaufort'sbastards."
"Oh,Isay—drawitmild!"ReggieChiversandyoungNewlandprotested,whileMr.SelfridgeMerrylookedgenuinelyalarmed,andanexpressionofpainanddisgustsettledonMr.vanderLuyden'ssensitiveface.
"Hashegotany?"criedMr.SillertonJackson,prickinguphisears;andwhileLeffertstriedtoturnthequestionwithalaugh,theoldgentlemantwitteredintoArcher'sear:"Queer,thosefellowswhoarealwayswantingtosetthingsright.
Thepeoplewhohavetheworstcooksarealwaystellingyouthey'repoisonedwhentheydineout.
ButIheartherearepressingreasonsforourfriendLawrence'sdiatribe:—typewriterthistime,Iunderstand...."
ThetalksweptpastArcherlikesomesenselessriverrunningandrunningbecauseitdidnotknowenoughtostop.
Hesaw,onthefacesabouthim,expressionsofinterest,amusementandevenmirth.
Helistenedtotheyoungermen'slaughter,andtothepraiseoftheArcherMadeira,whichMr.vanderLuydenandMr.Merrywerethoughtfullycelebrating.
Throughitallhewasdimlyawareofageneralattitudeoffriendlinesstowardhimself,asiftheguardoftheprisonerhefelthimselftobeweretryingtosoftenhiscaptivity;andtheperceptionincreasedhispassionatedeterminationtobefree.
Inthedrawing–room,wheretheypresentlyjoinedtheladies,hemetMay'striumphanteyes,andreadinthemtheconvictionthateverythinghad"goneoff"beautifully.
SherosefromMadameOlenska'sside,andimmediatelyMrs.vanderLuydenbeckonedthelattertoaseatonthegiltsofawhereshethroned.
Mrs.SelfridgeMerryboreacrosstheroomtojointhem,anditbecamecleartoArcherthatherealsoaconspiracyofrehabilitationandobliterationwasgoingon.
ThesilentorganisationwhichheldhislittleworldtogetherwasdeterminedtoputitselfonrecordasneverforamomenthavingquestionedtheproprietyofMadameOlenska'sconduct,orthecompletenessofArcher'sdomesticfelicity.
Alltheseamiableandinexorablepersonswereresolutelyengagedinpretendingtoeachotherthattheyhadneverheardof,suspected,orevenconceivedpossible,theleasthinttothecontrary;andfromthistissueofelaboratemutualdissimulationArcheroncemoredisengagedthefactthatNewYorkbelievedhimtobeMadameOlenska'slover.
Hecaughttheglitterofvictoryinhiswife'seyes,andforthefirsttimeunderstoodthatshesharedthebelief.
ThediscoveryrousedalaughterofinnerdevilsthatreverberatedthroughallhiseffortstodiscusstheMarthaWashingtonballwithMrs.ReggieChiversandlittleMrs.Newland;andsotheeveningswepton,runningandrunninglikeasenselessriverthatdidnotknowhowtostop.
AtlengthhesawthatMadameOlenskahadrisenandwassayinggood–bye.
Heunderstoodthatinamomentshewouldbegone,andtriedtorememberwhathehadsaidtoheratdinner;buthecouldnotrecallasinglewordtheyhadexchanged.
ShewentuptoMay,therestofthecompanymakingacircleaboutherassheadvanced.Thetwoyoungwomenclaspedhands;thenMaybentforwardandkissedhercousin.
"Certainlyourhostessismuchthehandsomerofthetwo,"ArcherheardReggieChiverssayinanundertonetoyoungMrs.Newland;andherememberedBeaufort'scoarsesneeratMay'sineffectualbeauty.
Amomentlaterhewasinthehall,puttingMadameOlenska'scloakabouthershoulders.
Throughallhisconfusionofmindhehadheldfasttotheresolvetosaynothingthatmightstartleordisturbher.
Convincedthatnopowercouldnowturnhimfromhispurposehehadfoundstrengthtoleteventsshapethemselvesastheywould.
ButashefollowedMadameOlenskaintothehallhethoughtwithasuddenhungerofbeingforamomentalonewithheratthedoorofhercarriage.
"Isyourcarriagehere?"heasked;andatthatmomentMrs.vanderLuyden,whowasbeingmajesticallyinsertedintohersables,saidgently:"WearedrivingdearEllenhome."
Archer'sheartgaveajerk,andMadameOlenska,claspinghercloakandfanwithonehand,heldouttheothertohim."Good–bye,"shesaid.
"Good–bye—butIshallseeyousooninParis,"heansweredaloud—itseemedtohimthathehadshoutedit.
"Oh,"shemurmured,"ifyouandMaycouldcome—!"
Mr.vanderLuydenadvancedtogiveherhisarm,andArcherturnedtoMrs.vanderLuyden.
Foramoment,inthebillowydarknessinsidethebiglandau,hecaughtthedimovalofaface,eyesshiningsteadily—andshewasgone.
AshewentupthestepshecrossedLawrenceLeffertscomingdownwithhiswife.Leffertscaughthishostbythesleeve,drawingbacktoletGertrudepass.
"Isay,oldchap:doyoumindjustlettingitbeunderstoodthatI'mdiningwithyouattheclubtomorrownight?Thankssomuch,youoldbrick!Good–night."
"ItDIDgooffbeautifully,didn'tit?"Mayquestionedfromthethresholdofthelibrary.
Archerrousedhimselfwithastart.Assoonasthelastcarriagehaddrivenaway,hehadcomeuptothelibraryandshuthimselfin,withthehopethathiswife,whostilllingeredbelow,wouldgostraighttoherroom.
Butthereshestood,paleanddrawn,yetradiatingthefactitiousenergyofonewhohaspassedbeyondfatigue.
"MayIcomeandtalkitover?"sheasked.
"Ofcourse,ifyoulike.Butyoumustbeawfullysleepy—"
"No,I'mnotsleepy.Ishouldliketositwithyoualittle."
"Verywell,"hesaid,pushingherchairnearthefire.
Shesatdownandheresumedhisseat;butneitherspokeforalongtime.
AtlengthArcherbeganabruptly:"Sinceyou'renottired,andwanttotalk,there'ssomethingImusttellyou.Itriedtotheothernight—."
Shelookedathimquickly."Yes,dear.Somethingaboutyourself?"
"Aboutmyself.Yousayyou'renottired:well,Iam.Horriblytired..."
Inaninstantshewasalltenderanxiety."Oh,I'veseenitcomingon,Newland!You'vebeensowickedlyoverworked—"
"Perhapsit'sthat.Anyhow,Iwanttomakeabreak—"
"Abreak?Togiveupthelaw?"
"Togoaway,atanyrate—atonce.Onalongtrip,eversofaroff—awayfromeverything—"
Hepaused,consciousthathehadfailedinhisattempttospeakwiththeindifferenceofamanwholongsforachange,andisyettoowearytowelcomeit.
Dowhathewould,thechordofeagernessvibrated."Awayfromeverything—"herepeated.
"Eversofar?Where,forinstance?"sheasked.
"Oh,Idon'tknow.India—orJapan."
Shestoodup,andashesatwithbenthead,hischinproppedonhishands,hefeltherwarmlyandfragrantlyhoveringoverhim.
"Asfarasthat?ButI'mafraidyoucan't,dear..."shesaidinanunsteadyvoice."Notunlessyou'lltakemewithyou."
Andthen,ashewassilent,shewenton,intonessoclearandevenly–pitchedthateachseparatesyllabletappedlikealittlehammeronhisbrain:"Thatis,ifthedoctorswillletmego...butI'mafraidtheywon't.
Foryousee,Newland,I'vebeensuresincethismorningofsomethingI'vebeensolongingandhopingfor—"
Helookedupatherwithasickstare,andshesankdown,alldewandroses,andhidherfaceagainsthisknee.
"Oh,mydear,"hesaid,holdinghertohimwhilehiscoldhandstrokedherhair.
Therewasalongpause,whichtheinnerdevilsfilledwithstridentlaughter;thenMayfreedherselffromhisarmsandstoodup.
"Youdidn'tguess—?"
"Yes—I;no.Thatis,ofcourseIhoped—"
Theylookedateachotherforaninstantandagainfellsilent;then,turninghiseyesfromhers,heaskedabruptly:"Haveyoutoldanyoneelse?"
"OnlyMammaandyourmother."Shepaused,andthenaddedhurriedly,thebloodflushinguptoherforehead:"Thatis—andEllen.
YouknowItoldyouwe'dhadalongtalkoneafternoon—andhowdearshewastome."
"Ah—"saidArcher,hisheartstopping.
Hefeltthathiswifewaswatchinghimintently."DidyouMINDmytellingherfirst,Newland?"
"Mind?WhyshouldI?"Hemadealastefforttocollecthimself."Butthatwasafortnightago,wasn'tit?Ithoughtyousaidyouweren'tsuretilltoday."
Hercolourburneddeeper,butsheheldhisgaze."No;Iwasn'tsurethen—butItoldherIwas.AndyouseeIwasright!"sheexclaimed,herblueeyeswetwithvictory.
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