frances waldeaux-第16章

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〃I　suppose　I　never　shall　see　her　again；〃　said　his　mother。　　〃Clara　tells　me　she　is　besieged　by　lovers。　　She　is　going　to　marry　a　German　prince；　probably。〃

〃That　would　be　a　pity；〃　George　said；　with　a　startled　glance　back　at　the　girl。

〃Good…by；　my　dear！〃　Mrs。　Waldeaux　leaned　over　the　bulwark。　　〃She　is　beautiful　as　an　angel！　　Good…by；　Lucy！　　God　bless　you！　she　sobbed；　kissing　her　hand。

Mr。　Waldeaux　looked　steadily　at　Lucy。　　〃How　clean　she　is！〃　he　said。

When　the　shore　was　gone　he　walked　down　the　deck；　conscious　of　a　sudden　change　in　himself。　　He　was　wakening　out　of　an　ugly　dream。　　The　sight　of　the　healthy　little　girl；　with　her　dewy　freshness　and　blue　eyes；　full　of　affection　and　common　sense；　cheered　and　heartened　him。　　He　did　not　know　what　was　doing　it；　but　he　threw　up　his　head　and　walked　vigorously。　　The　sun　shone　and　the　cold　wind　swept　him　out　into　a　dim　future　to　begin　a　new　life。



CHAPTER　XVI

George　Waldeaux　took　his　mother　and　boy　back　to　the　old　homestead　in　Delaware。　　They　arrived　at　night；　and　early　the　next　morning　he　rowed　away　in　his　bateau　to　some　of　his　old　haunts　in　the　woods　on　the　bay；　and　was　seen　no　more　that　day。

〃He　is　inconsolable！〃　his　mother　told　some　of　her　old　neighbors　who　crowded　to　welcome　her。　　〃His　heart　is　in　that　grave　in　Vannes。〃　The　women　listened　in　surprise；　for　Frances　was　not　in　the　habit　of　exploiting　her　emotions　in　words。

〃We　understood；〃　said　one　of　them；　with　a　sympathetic　shake　of　the　head；　〃that　it　was　a　pure　love　match。　　Mrs。　George　Waldeaux；　we　heard；　was　a　French　artist　of　remarkable　beauty？〃

Frances　moved　uneasily。　　〃I　never　thought　herbut　I　can't　discuss　Lisa！〃　　She　was　silent　a　moment。　　〃But　as　for　her　social　position〃she　drew　herself　up　stiffly；　fixing　cold　defiant　eyes　on　her　questioner〃as　for　her　social　position；〃　she　went　on　resolutely；　〃she　was　descended　on　one　side　from　an　excellent　American　family；　and　on　the　other　from　one　of　the　noblest　houses　in　Europe。〃

When　they　were　gone　she　hugged　little　Jacques　passionately　as　he　lay　on　her　lap。　　〃That　is　settled　for　you！〃　she　said。

When　George　came　back　in　the　evening；　he　found　her　walking　with　the　boy　in　her　arms　on　the　broad　piazzas。

〃I　really　think　he　knows　that　he　has　come　home；　George！〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃See　how　he　laughs！　　And　he　liked　the　dogs　and　horses　just　as　Lisa　thought　he　would。　　I　am　glad　it　is　such　a　beautiful　home　for　him。　　Look　at　that　slope　to　the　bay！　　There　is　no　nobler　park　in　England！　　And　the　house　is　as　big　as　most　of　their　palaces；　and　much　more　comfortable！〃

〃Give　the　child　to　Colette；　mother；　and　listen　to　me。　　Now　that　I　have　settled　you　and　him　here；　I　must　go　and　earn　your　living。〃

〃Yes。〃

She　followed　him　into　the　hall。

〃I　leave　you　to…morrow。　　There　is　no　time　to　be　lost。〃

〃You　are　going　back　to　art；　George？〃

〃No！　　Never！〃

Frances　grew　pale。　　She　thought　she　had　torn　open　his　gaping　wound。

〃I　did　not　mean　to　remind　you　ofof〃

〃No；　it　isn't　that！〃

He　scowled　at　the　fire。　　Art　meant　for　him　his　own　countless　daubs；　and　the　sickening　smell　of　oily　paints　and　musk；　and　soiled　silk　tea　gowns；　and　the　whole　slovenly；　disreputable　scramble　of　Bohemian　life　in　Paris。

〃I　loathe　art！〃　he　said；　with　a　furious　blow　at　the　smouldering　log　in　the　fireplace；　as　if　he　struck　these　things　all　down　into　the　ashes　with　it。

〃Will　you　go　back　into　the　Church；　dear？〃　his　mother　ventured　timidly。

〃Most　certainly；　no！〃　he　said　vehemently。　〃Of　all　mean　　frauds　the　perfunctory　priest　is　the　meanest。　　If　I　　could　be　like　one　of　the　old　holy　gospellersthen　indeed！〃

He　was　silent　a　moment；　and　then　began　to　stride　up　and　down　the　long　hall；　his　head　thrown　back；　his　chest　inflated。

〃I　have　a　message　for　the　world；　mother。〃

〃I　am　sure　of　it；〃　she　interrupted　eagerly。

〃But　I　must　deliver　it　in　my　own　way。　　I　have　lost　two　years。　　I　am　going　to　put　in　big　strokes　of　work　now。　　In　the　next　two　years　I　intend　to　take　my　proper　place　in　my　own　country。　　I　will　find　standing　room　for　George　Waldeaux；〃　with　a　complacent　smile。　　〃And　in　the　meantime；　of　course；　I　must　make　money　enough　to　support　you　and　the　boy　handsomely。　　So　you　see；　mother；〃　he　ended；　laughing；　〃I　have　no　time　to　lose。〃

〃No；　George！〃　　It　was　the　proudest　moment　of　her　life。　　How　heroic　and　generous　he　was！

She　filled　his　pocket…book　the　next　day；　when　he　went　to　New　York　to　take　the　world　by　the　throat。　　It　was　really　not　George　Waldeaux's　fault　that　she　filled　it。

Nor　was　it　his　fault　that　during　the　next　two　years　the　world　was　in　no　hurry　to　run　to　his　feet；　either　to　learn　of　him；　or　to　bring　him　its　bags　of　gold。　　The　little　man　did　his　best；　he　put　his　〃message；〃　as　he　called　it；　into　poems；　into　essays；　into　a　novel。　　Publishers　thanked　him　effusively　for　the　pleasure　of　reading　them；　andsent　them　back。　　The　only　word　of　his　which　reached　the　public　was　a　review　of　the　work　of　a　successful　author。　　It　was　so　personal；　so　malignant；　that　George；　when　he　read　it；　writhed　with　shame　and　humiliation。　　He　tore　the　paper　into　fragments。

〃Am　I　so　envious　and　small　as　that！　　Before　God；　no　words　of　mine　shall　ever　go　into　print　again！〃　he　said；　and　he　kept　his　word。

He　came　down　every　month　or　two　to　his　mother。

〃Why　not　try　teaching；　George？〃　she　said　anxiously。　　　　〃These　great　scholars　and　scientific　men　have　places　and　reputations　which　even　you　need　not　despise。〃

He　laughed　bitterly。　　〃I　tried　for　a　place　as　tutor　in　a　third…class　school；　and　could　not　pass　the　examinations。　　I　know　nothing　accurately。　　Nothing。〃

It　occurred　to　him　to　　go　into　politics　and　help　reform　the　world　by　routing　a　certain　Irish　boss。　　He　made　a　speech　at　a　ward　meeting；　and　broke　down　in　the　middle　of　it　before　the　storm　of　gibes　and　hootings。

〃What　was　the　matter？〃　he　asked　a　friend；　whose　face　was　red　with　laughter。

〃My　dear　fellow；　you　shouldn't　lecture　them！　　You're　not　the　parson。　　They　resent　your　air　of　enormous　superiority。　　For　Heaven's　sake；　don't　speak　againin　this　campaign。〃

It　is　a　wretched　story。　　There　is　no　need　of　going　into　the　details。　　There　was　no　room　for　him。　　He　tried　in　desperation　to　get　some　foothold　in　business。　　The　times　were　hard　that　winter；　which　of　course　was　against　him。　　Besides；　his　critical；　haughty　air　naturally　did　not　prepossess　employers　in　his　favor　when　he　came　to　ask　for　a　job。

At　the　end　of　the　second　year　the　man　broke　down。

〃The　work　of　the　world；〃　he　told　Frances；　〃belongs　to　specialists。　　Even　a　bootblack　knows　his　trade。　　I　know　nothing。　　I　can　do　nothing。　　I　am　a　mass　of　flabby　pretences。〃

Every　month　she　filled　his　pocket…book。　　She　found　at　last　that　he　did　not　touch　the　money。　　He　sold　his　clothes　and　his　jewelry　to　keep　himself　alive　while　he　tramped　　the　streets　of　New　York　looking　for　work。　　He　starved　himself　to　make　this　money　last。　　His　flesh　was　lead…colored　from　want　of　proper　food；　and　he　staggered　from　weakness。　　〃‘He　that　will　not　work　neither　let　him　eat；'〃　he　said　grimly。

It　was　about　this　time　that　Miss　Vance　came　home。　　Mrs。　Waldeaux　in　a　moment　of　weakness　gave　her　a　hint　of　his　defeat。

〃Is　the　world　blind；〃　she　cried；　〃to　deny　work　to　a　man　of　George's　capacity？　　What　does　it　mean？〃

Clara　heard　of　George's　sufferings　with　equanimity。　　〃The　truth　is；〃　she　said；　when　she　told　the　story　to　Miss　Dunbar；　〃Frances　brought　that　boy　up　to　believe　that　he　was　a　Grand　Llama　among　men。　　There　is　no　work　for　Grand　Llamas　in　this　country；　and　when　he　understands　that　he　is　made　of　very　ordinary　clay　indeed；　he　will　probably　be　of　some　use　in　the　world。〃

Lucy　was　watering　her　roses。　　〃It　is　a　matter　of　indifference　to　me；〃　she　said；　〃what　the　people　of　New　York　think　of　Mr。　Waldeaux。〃

Clara　looked　at　her　quickly。　　〃I　do　not　quite　catch　your　meaning？〃　she　said。

But　Lucy　filled　her　can；　and　forgot　to　answer。



CHAPTER　XVII

Clara　had　brought　Miss　Dunbar　back　and　established　her　in　her　own　house　near　Weir；　under　the　care　of　a　deaf　widowed　aunt。　　Dunbar　Place　was　a　stately　colonial　house；　set　in　a　large　demesne；　and　all　Kent　County　waited　breathless　to　know　what　revelations　the　heiress　would　make　to　it；　in　the　way　of　equi…pages；　marqueterie　furniture；　or　Paris　gowns。

Mrs。　Waldeaux　found　Lucy　one　day；　a　month　after　her　arrival；　seated　at　her　sewing　on　the　broad；　rose…covered　piazza；　looking　as　if　she　never　had　left　it。

〃Have　you　come　to　stay　now；　my　dear；〃　she　said；　〃or　will　Prince　Wolfburgh〃

〃Oh；　that　is　an　old　story；〃　interrupted　Clara。　　〃Lucy　handed　the　little　prince　over　to　Jean　Hassard；　who　married　him　after　he　had　a　long　fight　with　her　father　about　her　dot。　　He　won　the　dot；　but　Count　Odo　is　now　the　head　of　the　house。　　Jean；　I　hear；　is　in　Munich　fighting　her　way　up　among　the　Herrschaft。〃

〃Jean　has　good　fighting　qualities；〃　Lucy　said。　　〃She　will　win。〃

〃I　had　a　letter　from　her　to…day；〃　said　Miss　Vance。　〃Here　it　is。　　She　says；　‘I　mean　to　rebuild　the　Schloss；　and　I　have　put　a　stop　to　the　soap…boiling　business。　　I　will　have　no　fumes　of　scorching　fat　in　our　ancestral　halls。　　Four　of　the　princesses　live　with　us　here　in　the　flat。　　Gussy　Carson　from　Pond　City　is　staying　with　me　now。　　We　have　an　American　tea　every　Wednesday。　　Gus　receives　with　me。'〃

〃Poor　princesses！〃　said　Lucy。

Miss　Vance　folded　the　letter　with　a　complacent　nod。　　〃I　am　glad　that　Jean　is　settled　so　satisfactorily；〃　she　said。　　〃As　for　Lucy〃

No　one　answered。　　Lucy　threaded　her　needle。

〃I　start　next　week　to　Chicago；　did　you　know；　Frances？　　The　Bixbystwo　orphan　heiresseswish　me　to　take　them　to　Australia；　coming　back　by　India。　　And　I　suppose；〃　she　said；　rising　impatiently；　〃if　I　were　to　stay　away　forty　years　I　should　find　Lucy　when　I　came　back；　with　white　hair　maybe；　but　sitting　calmly　sewing；　not　caring　whether　there　was　a　man　in　the　world　or　not！〃

Lucy　laughed；　but　did　not　even　blush。

Mrs。　Waldeaux　presently　said　good…by；　and　Clara　went　home　with　her　to　spend　the　night。　　Lucy　was　left　alone　upon　the　piazza。　　It　was　there　that　George　Waldeaux　saw　her　again。


This　had　been　the　hardest　day　of　his　life。　　He　rose　that　morning　telling　himself　with　an　oath　that　he　would　earn　the　money　to　buy　his　own　food　or　never　eat　again。　　His　mother　had　sent　him　a　cheque　by　post。　　He　tore　it　up　and　went　out　of　his　cheap　lodging…house　without　breakfast。　　There　was　a　queer　change　in　hima　sudden　lofty　independencea　sudden　loathing　of　himself。　　He　knew　now　that　it　was　not　in　him　to　do　good　work　in　the　world；　but　at　least　he　would　pay　his　own　way。　　He　had　been　a　mass　of　vanity　and　now　he　was　so　mean　in　his　own　eyes　that　he　shrank　from　the　passers…by。　　Perhaps　the　long　strain　had　damaged　the　gray　matter　of　the　brain；　or　some　nervous　centreI　do　not　know　what　change　a　physician　would　have　found　in　him；　but　the　man　was　changed。

A　clerk　was　needed　in　a　provision　shop　on　Green　Street。　　George　placed　himself　in　the　line　of　dirty；　squalid　applicants。　　The　day　was　hot；　the　air　of　the　shop　was　foul　with　the　smells　of　rotting　meat　and　vegetables。　　He　felt　himself　stagger　against　a　stall。　　He　seemed　to　be　asleep；　but　he　heard　the　butchers　laughing。　　They　called　him　a　drunken　tramp；　and　then　he　was　hurled　out　on　the　muddy　pavement。

〃Too　much　whiskey　for　this　time　o'　day！〃　a　policeman　said；　hauling　him　to　his　feet。

〃Move　along；　young　man！