frances waldeaux-第12章

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She　glanced　at　the　white　room　with　its　dainty　bibelots；　the　Bible；　the　Madonnas；　watching；　benign。　　Poor　little　nun；　waiting　for　the　love　that　never　could　come　to　her！

〃I　am　glad　you　are　here；　my　child。　　You　can　tell　me　what　I　want　to　know。　　I　have　not　an　hour　to　spare。　　I　am　going　to　my　sonto　George。　　Do　you　know　where　he　is？〃

〃At　Vannes；　in　Brittany。〃

〃Brittanythat　is　a　long　way。〃　　Frances　rose　uncertainly。　　〃I　hoped　he　was　near。　　I　was　in　a　Russian　village；　and　Clara's　letter　was　long　in　finding　me。　　When　I　got　it；　I　travelled　night　and　day。　　I　somehow　thought　I　should　meet　him　on　the　way。　　I　fancied　he　would　come　to　meet　me。〃

Lucy's　blue　eyes　watched　her　keenly　a　moment。　　Then　she　rang　the　bell。

〃You　must　eat；　first　of　all；〃　she　said。

〃No；　I　am　not　hungry。　　Vannes；　you　said？　　I　must　go　now。　　I　haven't　an　hour。〃

〃You　have　two；　exactly。　　You'll　take　the　express　at　eight。　　Oh；　I'm　never　mistaken　about　a　train。　　Here　is　the　coffee。　　Now；　I'll　make　you　a　nice　sandwich。〃

Frances　was　faint　with　hunger。　　As　she　ate；　she　watched　the　pretty　matter…of…fact　little　girl；　and　laughed　with　delight。　　When　had　she　found　any　thing　so　wholesome？　　It　was　a　year；　too；　since　she　had　seen　any　one　who　knew　George。　　Naturally；　she　began　to　empty　her　heart；　which　was　full　of　him；　to　Lucy。

〃I　have　not　spoken　English　for　months；〃　she　said；　smiling　over　her　coffee。　　〃It　is　a　relief！　　And　you　are　a　friend　of　my　son's；　too？〃

〃No。　　A　mere　acquaintance；〃　said　Lucy；　with　reserve。

〃No　one　could　even　see　George　and　not　understand　how　different　he　is　from　other　men。〃

〃Oh！　altogether　different！〃　said　Lucy。　　〃Yes；　you　understand。　　And　there　was　that　future　before　himwhen　his　trouble　came。　　Oh；　I've　thought　of　it；　and　thought　of　it；　until　my　head　is　tired！　　He　fell　under　that　woman's　influence；　you　see。　　It　was　like　mesmerism；　or　the　voodoo　curse　that　the　negroes　talk　of。　　It　came　on　me　too。　　Why；　there　was　a　time　when　I　despised　him。　　George！〃　　Her　eyes　grew　full　of　horror。　　〃I　left　him；　to　live　my　own　life。　　He　has　staggered　under　his　burden　alone；　and　I　could　have　rid　him　of　it。　　Now　there　are　two　of　them。〃

〃Two　of　them？　〃　said　Lucy　curiously。

〃There　is　a　babyPauline　Felix's　grandson。　　I　beg　your　pardon；　my　child；　I　ought　not　to　have　named　her。　　She　is　not　a　person　whom　you　should　ever　hear　of。　　He　has　them　both；George。　　He　has　that　weight　to　carry。〃　　She　stood　up。　　〃That　is　why　I　am　going　to　him。　　It　must　be　taken　from　him。〃

〃You　meana　divorce？〃

〃I　don't　knowI　can't　think　clearly。　　But　God　does　such　queer　things！　　There　are　millions　of　men　in　the　world；　and　this　curse　falls　onGeorge！〃

Lucy　put　her　hands　on　the　older　woman's　arms　and　seated　her。　　〃Mrs。　Waldeaux；〃　she　said；　with　decision；　〃you　need　sleep；　or　you　would　not　talk　in　that　way。　　Lisa　is　not　a　curse。　　Nor　a　voodoo　witch。　She　came　to　your　son　instead　of　to　any　other　manbecause　he　chose　her　out　from　all　other　women。　　He　had　seen　them。〃　　She　held　her　curly　head　erect。　　〃As　he　did　choose　her；　he　should　make　the　best　of　her。〃

Frances　looked　at　her　as　one　awakened　out　of　a　dream。　　〃You　talk　sensibly；　child。　　Perhaps　you　are　right。　　But　I　must　go。　　Ring　for　a　cab；　please。　　No；　I　will　wait　in　the　station。　　Clara　would　argue　and　lecture。　　I　could　not　stand　that　to…night；〃　with　her　old　comical　shrug。

Lucy's　entreaties　were　vain。

But　as　the　train　rushed　through　the　valley　of　the　Isar　that　night；　Frances　looked　forward　into　the　darkness　with　a　nameless　terror。　　〃That　child　was　so　healthy　and　sane；〃　she　said；　〃I　wish　I　had　stayed　with　her　longer。〃



CHAPTER　XII

Prince　Hugo　had　made　no　secret　of　his　intentions　with　regard　to　Miss　Dunbar；　so　that　when　it　was　known　that　his　sisters　and　the　rich　American　Mees　would　at　last　meet　at　the　Countess　von　Amte's　there　was　a　flutter　of　curiosity　in　the　exclusive　circle　of　Munich。　　The　countess　herself　called　twice　on　Clara　that　day；　so　great　was　her　triumph　that　this　social　event　would　occur　at　her　house。

She　asked　boldly　〃Which　of　Miss　Dunbar's　marvellous　Parisian　confections　will　she　wear？　　It　is　so　important　for　her　future　happiness　that　the　princesses　should　be　favorably　impressed！　　Aber；　lieber　Gott！〃　she　shrieked；　〃don't　let　her　speak　French！　　Not　a　word！　　That　would　be　ruin！　　They　are　all　patriotism！〃　　She　hurried　away；　and　ran　back　to　say　that　the　sun　was　shining　as　it　had　not　done　for　days。

〃She　thinks　nature　itself　is　agog　to　see　how　the　princesses　receive　Lucy；〃　said　Miss　Vance　indignantly。　　〃One　would　suppose　that　the　child　was　on　trial。〃

〃So　she　is。　　Me；　too；〃　said　Jean；　wistfully　regarding　the　bebe　waist　of　the　gown　which　Doucet　had　just　sent　her。　　〃I　must　go　as　an　ingenue。　　I　don't　play　the　part　well！〃

〃No；　you　do　not；〃　said　Clara。

Miss　Vance　tapped　at　Lucy's　door　as　she　went　down；　and　found　her　working　at　her　embroidery。　　〃You　must　lie　down　for　an　hour；　my　dear；〃　she　said；　〃and　be　fresh　and　rosy　for　this　evening。〃

〃I　am　not　going。　　I　must　finish　these　pinks。　　I　have　just　sent　a　note　of　apology　to　the　countess。〃

〃Not　going！〃　Clara　gasped；　dismayed。　　Then　she　laughed　with　triumph。　　〃The　princesses　and　all　the　Herrschaft　of　Munich　will　be　there　to　pass　judgment　on　the　bride；　and　the　bride　will　be　sitting　at　home　finishing　her　pinks！　　Good！〃

〃I　am　no　bride！〃　Lucy　rose；　stuck　her　needle　carefully　in　its　place；　and　came　closer　to　Miss　Vance。　　〃I　have　made　up　my　mind；〃　she　said　earnestly。　　〃I　shall　never　marry。　　My　life　now　is　quiet　and　clean。　　I'm　not　at　all　sure　that　it　would　be　either　if　I　were　the　Princess　Wolfburgh。〃

Clara　stroked　her　hair　fondly。　　〃Your　decision　is　sudden；　my　dear；〃　she　faltered；　at　last。

〃Yes。　　There　was　something　last　night。　　It　showed　me　what　I　was　doing。　　To　marry　a　man　just　because　he　is　good　and　kind；　that　isvile！〃　　The　tears　rushed　to　her　eyes。　　There　was　a　short　silence。

〃Don't　look　so　aghast；　dear　Miss　Vance；〃　said　Lucy　cheerfully。　　〃Go　now　and　dress　to　meet　the　Herrschaft。〃

〃And　what　will　you　do；　child？〃

〃I　really　must　finish　these　pinks　to…night。〃　　She　took　up　her　work。　　Her　chin　trembled　a　little。　　〃We　won't　speak　of　this　again；　please；〃　she　said。　　〃I　never　shall　be　a　bride　or　a　wife　or　mother。　　I　will　have　a　quiet；　independent　lifelike　yours。〃

The　sunshine　fell　on　the　girl's　grave；　uplifted　face；　on　the　white　walls；　the　blue　stove；　and　the　calm；　watching　Madonnas。　　Clara；　as　Mrs。　Waldeaux　had　done；　thought　of　a　nun　in　her　cell　to　whom　love　could　only　be　a　sacred　dream。

She　smiled　back　at　Lucy；　bade　her　goodnight；　and　closed　the　door。

〃Like　mine？〃　she　said；　as　she　went　down　the　corridor。　　〃Well；　it　is　a　comfortable；　quiet　life。　　But　empty〃　　And　she　laid　her　hand　suddenly　across　her　thin　breast。


Jean　listened　in　silence　when　Clara　told　her　briefly　that　Lucy　was　not　going。

〃She　is　very　shrewd；〃　she　said　presently。　　〃She　means　to　treat　them　de　haut　en　bas　from　the　outset。　　It　is　capital　policy。〃

Jean；　when　she　entered　the　countess's　salon；　with　downcast　eyes；　draped　in　filmy　lace　without　a　jewel　or　flower；　was　shy　innocence　in　person。　　Furst　Hugo　stood　near　the　hostess；　with　two　stout　women　in　shabby　gowns　and　magnificent　jewels。

〃The　frocks　they　made　themselves；　and　the　emeralds　are　heirlooms；〃　Jean　muttered　to　Clara；　without　lifting　her　timid　eyes。

〃Miss　Dunbar　is　not　coming？〃　exclaimed　the　prince。

〃No；〃　said　Miss　Vance。

〃The　Fraulein　is　ill？〃　demanded　one　of　his　sisters。

〃No；〃　Clara　said；　again　smiling。　〃WE　expected　to　meet　her；〃　the　younger　princess　said。　　〃It　is　most　singular〃

〃She　has　sent　her　apology　to　the　countess；〃　said　Clara　gently；　and　passed　on。

But　her　little　triumph　was　short　lived。

A　famous　professional　soprano　appeared　in　a　white…ribboned　enclosure　at　the　end　of　the　salon；　and　the　guests　were　rapidly　arranged　according　to　their　rank　to　listen。　　Clara　and　Jean　stood　until　every　man　and　woman　were　comfortably　seated；　when　they　were　placed　in　the　back　row。

When　the　music　was　over　supper　was　announced；　and　the　same　ceremony　was　observed。　　The　Highnessess；　the　hochwohlgeboren　privy　councillors；　the　hochgeboren　secretaries；　even　the　untitled　Herren　who　held　some　petty　office；　were　ushered　with　profound　deference　to　their　seats　at　the　long　table；　while　Clara　stood　waiting。　　Jean's　eyes　still　drooped　meekly；　but　even　her　lips　were　pale。

〃How　can　you　look　so　placid？〃　she　whispered。　　〃It　is　a　deliberate　insult　to　your　gray　hairs。〃

〃No。　It　is　the　custom　of　the　country。　　It　does　not　hurt　me。〃

They　were　led　at　the　moment　to　the　lowest　seats。　　Jean　shot　one　vindictive　glance　around　the　table。

〃You　have　more　wit　and　breeding　than　any　of　them！〃　she　said。　　〃And　as　for　me；　this　lace　I　wear　would　buy　any　of　their　rickety　old　palaces。〃

〃They　have　something　which　we　cannot　buy；〃　said　Miss　Vance　gravely。　　〃I　never　understood　before　how　actual　a　thing　rank　is　here。〃


〃Cannot　it　be　bought？　　I　am　going　to　look　into　that　when　this　huge　feed　is　over；〃　Miss　Hassard　said　to　herself。

Late　in　the　evening　she　danced　with　Count　Odo；　and　prattled　to　him　in　a　childish；　frank　fashion　which　he　found　very　charming。

〃Your　rules　of　precedence　are　very　disagreeable！〃　she　pouted。　　〃Especially　when　one　sits　at　the　foot　of　the　table　and　is　served　last。〃

〃They　must　seem　queer　to　you；〃　he　said；　laughing；　〃but　they　are　inflexible　as　iron。〃

〃But　they　will　bend　for　Miss　Dunbar；　if　she　makes　up　her　mind　to　marry　your　cousin？〃she　asked；　looking　up　into　his　face　like　an　innocent　child。

〃No。　　Hugo　makes　a　serious　sacrifice　in　marrying　a　woman　of　no　birth；〃　he　said。　　〃He　must　give　up　his　place　and　title　as　head　of　the　family。　　She　will　not　be　received　at　court　nor　in　certain　houses；　she　must　always　remain　out…　side　of　much　of　his　social　life。〃

He　led　her　back　to　Miss　Vance。　　She　seemed　to　be　struck　dumb；　and　even　forgot　to　smile　when　he　bowed　low　and　thanked　her　for　the　dance。

〃Let　us　go　home；〃　she　whispered　to　Clara。　　〃The　American　girl　is　a　fool　who　marries　one　of　these　men！〃

When　Miss　Vance's　carriage　reached　her　hotel；　she　found　Prince　Hugo's　coupe　before　the　door。

〃He　has　come　to　see　Lucy；　alone！〃　she　said　indignantly；　as　she　hurried　up　the　steps。　　〃He　has　no　right　to　annoy　her！〃

She　met　him　coming　out　of　the　long　salle。　　The　little　man　walked　nervously；　fingering　his　sword　hilt。　　He　could　not　control　his　voice　when　he　tried　to　speak　naturally。

〃Yes；　gracious　lady；　I　am　guilty。　　It　was　unpardonable　to　come　when　I　knew　the　chaperone　was　gone。　　Butach！　　I　could　not　wait！〃　throwing　out　both　hands　to　her。　　〃I　have　waited　so　long！　　I　knew　when　she　did　not　come　to　meet　my　sisters　to…night　she　had　resolved　against　me；　but　I　could　not　sleep　uncertain。　　So　I　break　all　the　laws；　and　come！〃

〃You　have　seen　her；　then？　　She　has　told　you？〃

He　nodded　without　speaking。　　His　round　face　was　red；　and　something　like　tears　stood　in　his　eyes。

He　waited　irresolute　a　moment；　and　then　threw　up　his　head。

〃Soh！　　It　is　over！　　I　shall　not　whine！　　You　have　been　very　good　to　me；〃　he　said　earnestly；　taking　Clara's　hand。　　〃This　is　the　first　great　trouble　in　my　life。　　I　have　loved　her　very　dearly。　　I　decided　to　make　great　sacrifices　for　her。　　But　I　am　not　to　have　hernever。〃

〃I　am　so　sorry　for　you；　prince。〃　Clara　squeezed　his　hand　energetically。　〃Nor　her　dot。　　That　would　have　been　so　comfortable　for　me