frances waldeaux-第5章

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ould　separate。　　I　have　consulted　with　Lisa；　and　she　has　suggested　that　you　shall　join　Clara　Vance's　party　while　we　go　our　own　way。〃

She　stared　at　him。　　〃Do　you　mean　that　you　and　I　are　not　to　see　London　together？　　Not　to　travel　through　Europe　together？〃

He　pitied　her　a　little；　and；　leaning　forward；　kissed　her　clammy　lips。　　〃The　thing　will　seem　clearer　to　you　to…morrow；　no　doubt。　　I　must　leave　you　now。　　Go　to　Clara　and　her　girls。　　They　all　like　to　pet　and　make　much　of　you。　　I　will　bring　Lisa　in　the　morning；　to　talk　business　a　little。　　She　has　an　uncommonly　clear　head　for　business。　　Good…by；　dear！〃　　He　stopped　the　cab；　jumped　out；　and　walked　briskly　to　the　corner　where　his　wife　was　waiting　for　him。

〃You　have　told　her？〃　she　asked　breathlessly。

〃Yes。　　It's　over。〃

〃That　we　must　separate？〃

〃Yes；　yes。　　I　told　her　you　thought　it　best。〃

〃And　she　was　not　willing？〃

〃Well；　she　did　not　approve　very　cordially；〃　said　George；　evading　her　eye。

〃But　she　shall　approve！〃　hanging　upon　his　arm；　her　burning　eyes　close　to　his　face。　　〃You　are　mine；　George！　　I　love　you。　　I　will　share　you　with　nobody！〃　She　whistled　shrilly；　and　a　hansom　stopped。

〃What　are　you　going　to　do；　darling？〃

〃Follow　her。　　I　will　tell　her　something　that　will　make　her　willing　to　separate。　　Get　in；　get　in！　〃


　　CHAPTER　III

Frances；　when　in　trouble；　went　out　of　doors　among　the　trees　as　naturally　as　other　women　take　to　their　beds。　　Lisa's　sharp　eyes　saw　her　sitting　in　the　Green　Park　as　they　passed。　　The　mist；　which　was　heavy　as　rain；　hung　in　drops　on　the　stretches　of　sward　and　filled　the　far　aisles　of　trees　with　a　soft　gray　vapor。　　The　park　was　deserted　but　for　an　old　man　who　asked　Mrs。　Waldeaux　for　the　penny's　hire　for　her　chair。　　As　he　hobbled　away；　he　looked　back　at　her　curiously。

〃She　gave　him　a　shilling！〃　exclaimed　Lisa；　as　he　passed　them。　　〃I　told　you　she　was　not　fit　to　take　care　of　money。〃

〃But　why　not　wait　until　to…morrow　to　talk　of　business？　　She　is　hurt　and　unnerved　just　now；　and　sheshe　does　not　like　you；　Lisa。〃

〃I　am　not　afraid。　　She　will　be　civil。　　She　is　like　Chesterfield。　‘Even　death　cannot　kill　the　courtesy　in　her。'　　You　don't　seem　to　know　the　woman；　George。　　Come。〃

But　George　hung　back　and　loitered　among　the　trees。　　He　was　an　honest　fellow；　though　slow　of　wit；　he　loved　his　mother　and　was　penetrated　to　the　quick　just　now　by　a　passionate　fondness　for　his　wife。　　Two　such　good；　clever　women！　　Why　couldn't　they　hit　it　off　together？

〃George？〃　said　Frances；　hearing　his　steps。

Lisa　came　up　to　her。　　She　rose；　and　smiled　to　her　son's　wife；　and　after　a　moment　held　out　her　hand。

But　the　courtesy　which　Lisa　had　expected　suddenly　enraged　her。　　〃No！　　There　need　be　no　pretence　between　us；〃　she　said。　　〃You　are　not　glad　to　see　me。　　There　is　no　pretence　in　me。　I　am　honest。　　I　did　not　come　here　to　make　compliments；　but　to　talk　business。〃

〃George　said　to…morrow。　　Can　it　not　wait　until　to…morrow？〃

〃No。　　What　is　to　dodo　it！　　That　is　my　motto。　　George；　come　here！　　Tell　your　mother　what　we　have　decided。　　Oh；　very　well；　if　you　prefer　that　I　should　speak。　　We　go　to　Paris　at　once；　Mrs。　Waldeaux；　and　will　take　apartments　there。　　You　will　remain　with　Miss　Vance。〃

〃Yes；　I　know。　　I　am　to　remain〃　　Frances　passed　her　hand　once　or　twice　over　her　mouth　irresolutely。　　〃But　Oxford；　George？〃　she　said。　　〃You　forget　your　examinations？〃

George　took　off　his　spectacles　and　wiped　them。

〃Speak！　　Have　you　no　mind　of　your　own？〃　his　wife　whispered。　　〃I　will　tell　you；　then；　madam。　　He　has　done　with　that　silly　whim！　　A　priest；　indeed！　　I　am　Catholic；　and　priests　do　not　marry。　　He　goes　to　Paris　to　study　art。　　I　see　a　great　future　for　him；　in　art。〃

Frances　stared　at　him；　and　then　sat　down；　dully。　　What　did　it　matter？　　Paris　or　Oxford？　　She　would　not　be　there。　　What　did　it　matter？

Lisa　waited　a　moment　for　some　comment；　and　then　began　sharply；　〃Now；　we　come　to　affaires！　　Listen；　if　you　please。　　I　am　a　woman　of　business。　　Plain　speaking　is　always　best；　to　my　idea。〃


Mrs。　Waldeaux　drew　herself　together　and　turned　her　eyes　on　her　with　sudden　apprehension；　as　she　would　on　a　snapping　dog。　　The　woman's　tones　threatened　attack。

〃To　live　in　Paris；　to　work　effectively；　your　son　must　have　money。　　I　brought　him　no　dot；　alas！　　Except〃with　a　burlesque　courtesy〃my　beauty　and　my　blood。　　I　must　know　how　much　money　we　shall　have　before　I　design　the　menage。〃

〃George　has　his　income；〃　said　his　mother　hastily。

〃Ah！　　You　are　alarmed；　madam！　　You　do　not　like　plain　words　about　the　affaires？　　George　tells　me　that　although　he　is　long　ago　of　age；　he　has　as　yet　received　no　portion　of　his　father's　estates。〃

〃Lisa！　　You　do　not　understand！　　Mother；　I　did　not　complain。　　You　have　always　given　me　my　share　of　the　income　from　the　property。　　I　have　no　doubt　it　was　a　fair　shareas　much　as　if　my　father　had　left　me　my　portion；　according　to　custom。〃

〃Yes；　it　was　a　fair　share；〃　said　Frances。

〃Ah！　you　smile；　madam！〃　interrupted　Lisa。　　〃I　am　told　it　is　a　vast　property；　a　grand　chateaumany　securities！　　M。　Waldeaux　pere　made　a　will；　on　dit；　incredibly　foolish；　with　no　mention　of　his　son。　　But　now　that　this　son　comes　to　marry；　to　become　the　head　of　the　house；　if　you　were　a　French　mother；　if　you　were　just；　you　would　　You　appear　to　be　amused；　madam？〃

For　Mrs。　Waldeaux　was　laughing。　　She　could　not　speak　for　a　moment。　　The　tears　stood　in　her　eyes。

〃The　matter　has　somewhat　of　droll　to　you？〃

〃It　has　its　humorous　side；〃　said　Frances。　　〃I　quite　understand；　George；　that　you　will　need　more　money　to　support　a　wife。　　I　will　double　your　allowance。　　It　shall　be　paid　quarterly。〃

〃You　would　prefer　to　do　that？〃　hesitated　George。　　〃Rather　than　to　make　over　a　son's　share　of　the　property　to　me　absolutely？　　Some　of　the　landed　estate　or　securities？　　I　have　probably　a　shrewder　business　talent　than　yours；　and　if　I　had　control　could　make　my　property　more　profitable。〃

〃I　should　prefer　to　pay　your　income　as　beforeyes；〃　said　Frances　quietly。

〃Well；　as　you　choose。　　It　is　yours　to　give；　of　course。〃　　George　coughed　and　shuffled　to　conquer　his　disappointment。　　Then　he　said；　〃Have　it　your　own　way。〃　　He　put　his　hand　affectionately　on　her　shoulder。　　〃And　when　you　have　had　your　little　outing　and　go　home　to　Weir；　you　will　be　glad　to　have　us　come　to　you；　for　a　visitwon't　you；　mother？　　You　haven't　said　so。〃

〃Why　should　I　say　so？　　It　is　your　home；　George；　yours　and　your　wife's。〃　　She　caught　his　hand　and　held　it　to　her　lips。

But　Lisa　had　not　so　easily　conquered　her　disappointment。　　This　woman　was　coolly　robbing　George　of　his　rights　and　was　going　instead　to　kill　for　him　a　miserable　little　fatted　calf！　　Bah！　　This　woman；　who　had　maligned　her　dead　mother！

She　should　have　her　punishment　now。　　In　one　blow；　straight　from　the　shoulder。

〃But　you　should　know；　madam；〃　she　said　gently；　〃who　it　is　your　son　has　married　before　you　take　her　home。　　I　assure　you　that　you　can　present　me　to　the　society　in　Weir　with　pride。　　I　have　royal　blood〃　〃Lisa！〃　George　caught　her　arm。　　〃It　is　not　necessary。　　You　forget〃

〃Oh；　I　forget　nothing！　　I　said　royal　blood。　　My　father；　madam；　was　the　brother　of　the　Czar；　and　my　mother　was　Pauline　Felix。　　You　don't　seem　to　understand〃　after　a　moment's　pause。　　〃　It　was　my　mother　whose　name　you　said　should　not　cross　any　decent　woman's　lipsmy　mother〃　　She　broke　down　into　wild　sobs。

〃When　I　said　it　I　did　not　know　that　you　　I　am　sorry。〃　　Frances　suddenly　walked　away；　pulling　open　her　collar。　　It　seemed　to　her　that　there　was　no　breath　in　the　world。　　George　followed　her。　　〃Did　you　know　this？〃　she　said　at　last；　in　a　hoarse　whisper。　　〃And　you　aremarried　to　her？　　There　is　no　way　of　being　rid　of　her？〃

〃No；　there　is　no　way；〃　said　Waldeaux　stoutly。　　〃And　if　there　were；　I　should　not　look　for　it。　　I　am　sorry　that　there　is　any　smirch　on　Lisa's　birth。　　But　even　her　mother；　I　fancy；　was　not　altogether　a　bad　lot。　　Bygones　must　be　bygones。　　I　love　my　wife；　mother。　　She's　worth　loving；　as　you'd　find　if　you　would　take　the　trouble　to　know　her。　　Her　dead　mother　shall　not　come　between　her　and　me。〃

〃She's　like　her；　George！〃　said　Mrs。　Waldeaux；　with　white；　trembling　lips。　　〃I　ought　to　have　seen　it　at　first。　　Those　luring；　terrible　eyes。　　It　is　Pauline　Felix's　heart　that　is　in　her。　　Rotten　to　the　corerotten〃

〃I　don't　care。　　I'll　stand　by　her。〃　　But　George's　face；　too；　began　to　lose　its　color。　　He　shook　himself　uncomfortably。　　〃The　thing's　done　now；〃　he　muttered。

〃Certainly；　certainly；〃　Frances　repeated　mechanically。　　〃Tell　her　that　I　am　sorry　I　spoke　of　her　mother　before　her。　　It　was　rudebrutal。　　I　ask　her　pardon。〃

〃Oh；　she'll　soon　forget　that！　　Lisa　has　a　warm　heart；　if　you　take　her　right。　　There's　lots　of　hearty　fun　in　her　too。　　You'll　like　that。　　Are　you　going　now？　　Good…by；　dear。　　We　will　come　and　see　you　in　the　morning。　　The　thing　will　not　seem　half　so　bad　when　you　have　slept　on　it。〃

He　paused　uncertainly；　as　she　still　stood　motionless。　　She　was　facing　the　grim　walls　of　Stafford　House；　looming　dimly　through　the　mist；　her　eyes　fixed　as　if　she　were　studying　the　sky　line。

〃George；〃　she　said。　〃You　don't　understand。　　You　will　come　to　me　always。　　But　that　woman　never　shall　cross　my　threshold。〃　〃Mother！　　Do　you　mean　what　you　say？〃

It　was　a　man；　not　a　shuffling　boy　that　spoke　now。　　〃Do　you　mean　that　we　are　not　to　go　to　you　to…morrow？　　Not　to　go　home　in　October？　　Never〃

〃Your　home　is　open　to　you。　　But　Pauline　Felix's　child　is　no　more　to　me　than　a　wild　beastor　a　snake　in　the　grass；　and　never　can　be。〃　　She　faced　him　steadily　now。

〃There　she　is；〃　said　Frances；　looking　at　the　little　black　figure　under　the　trees；　〃and　here　am　I。　　You　can　choose　between　us。〃

〃Those　whom　God　hath　joined　together；〃　muttered　George。　　〃You　know　that。〃

〃You　have　known　her　for　three　weeks；〃　cried　Frances　vehemently。　　〃I　gave　you　life。　　I　have　been　your　slave　every　hour　since　you　were　born。　　I　have　lived　but　for　you。　　Which　of　us　has　God　joined　together？〃

〃Mother；　you're　damnably　unreasonable！　　It　is　the　course　of　nature　for　a　man　to　leave　his　parents　and　cleave　to　his　wife。〃

〃Yes　；　I　know；〃　she　said　slowly。　　〃You　can　keep　that　foul　thing　in　your　life；　but　it　never　shall　come　into　mine。〃

〃Then　neither　will　I。　　I　will　stand　by　my　wife。〃

〃That　is　the　end；　then？〃

She　waited；　her　eyes　on　his。

He　did　not　speak。

She　turned　and　left　him；　disappearing　slowly　in　the　rain　and　mist。



CHAPTER　IV

Two　days　later　Mr。　Perry　met　Miss　Vance　in　Canterbury　and　told　her　of　the　marriage。　　She　hurried　back　to　London。　　She　could　not　hide　her　distress　and　dismay　from　the　two　girls。

〃How　did　she　force　him　into　it？　　One　is　almost　driven　to　believe　in　hypnotism；〃　she　cried。

Lucy　Dunbar　had　no　joke　to　make　about　it　to…day。　　The　merry　little　girl　was　silent；　having；　she　said；　a　headache。

〃You've　had　too　much　cathedral！〃　said　Miss　Hassard。　　〃And　the　whole　church　is　wretchedly　out　of　drawing！〃

Jean　Hassard　had　studied　art　at　Pond　City　in　Dakota；　and　her　soul's　hope　had　been　to　follow　Marie　Bashkirtseff's　career　in　Paris。　　But　her　father　had　morally　handcuffed

her　and　put　her　into　Clara's　custody　for　a　year。　　It　was　hard！　　To　be　led　about　to　old　churches；　respectable　as　her　grandmother；　when　she　might　have　been　studying　the　nude　in　a　mixed　class！　　She　rattled　her　chains　disagreeably　at　every　step。