man of property-第20章

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irt　cheap。　　For　the　kind　of　work　I've　put　into　this　house；　and　the　amount　of　time　I've　given　to　it；　you'd　have　had　to　pay　Littlemaster　or　some　other　fool　four　times　as　much。　　What　you　want；　in　fact；　is　a　first…rate　man　for　a　fourth…rate　fee；　and　that's　exactly　what　you've　got！〃

Soames　saw　that　he　really　meant　what　he　said；　and；　angry　though　he　was；　the　consequences　of　a　row　rose　before　him　too　vividly。　He　saw　his　house　unfinished；　his　wife　rebellious；　himself　a　laughingstock。

〃Let's　go　over　it；〃　he　said　sulkily；　〃and　see　how　the　money's　gone。〃

〃Very　well；〃　assented　Bosinney。　　〃But　we'll　hurry　up；　if　you　don't　mind。　　I　have　to　get　back　in　time　to　take　June　to　the　theatre。〃

Soames　cast　a　stealthy　look　at　him；　and　said：　〃Coming　to　our　place；　I　suppose　to　meet　her？〃　He　was　always　coming　to　their　place！

There　had　been　rain　the　night　before…a　spring　rain；　and　the　earth　smelt　of　sap　and　wild　grasses。　　The　warm；　soft　breeze　swung　the　leaves　and　the　golden　buds　of　the　old　oak　tree；　and　in　the　sunshine　the　blackbirds　were　whistling　their　hearts　out。

It　was　such　a　spring　day　as　breathes　into　a　man　an　ineffable　yearning；　a　painful　sweetness；　a　longing　that　makes　him　stand　motionless；　looking　at　the　leaves　or　grass；　and　fling　out　his　arms　to　embrace　he　knows　not　what。　　The　earth　gave　forth　a　fainting　warmth；　stealing　up　through　the　chilly　garment　in　which　winter　had　wrapped　her。　　It　was　her　long　caress　of　invitation；　to　draw　men　down　to　lie　within　her　arms；　to　roll　their　bodies　on　her；　and　put　their　lips　to　her　breast。

On　just　such　a　day　as　this　Soames　had　got　from　Irene　the　promise　he　had　asked　her　for　so　often。　　Seated　on　the　fallen　trunk　of　a　tree；　he　had　promised　for　the　twentieth　time　that　if　their　marriage　were　not　a　success；　she　should　be　as　free　as　if　she　had　never　married　him！

〃Do　you　swear　it？〃　she　had　said。　　A　few　days　back　she　had　reminded　him　of　that　oath。　　He　had　answered：　〃Nonsense！　　I　couldn't　have　sworn　any　such　thing！〃　　By　some　awkward　fatality　he　remembered　it　now。　　What　queer　things　men　would　swear　for　the　sake　of　women！　　He　would　have　sworn　it　at　any　time　to　gain　her！　He　would　swear　it　now；　if　thereby　he　could　touch　herbut　nobody　could　touch　her；　she　was　cold…hearted！

And　memories　crowded　on　him　with　the　fresh；　sweet　savour　of　the　spring　wind…memories　of　his　courtship。

In　the　spring　of　the　year　1881　he　was　visiting　his　old　school…　fellow　and　client；　George　Liversedge；　of　Branksome；　who；　with　the　view　of　developing　his　pine…woods　in　the　neighbourhood　of　Bournemouth；　had　placed　the　formation　of　the　company　necessary　to　the　scheme　in　Soames's　hands。　　Mrs。　Liversedge；　with　a　sense　of　the　fitness　of　things；　had　given　a　musical　tea　in　his　honour。　Later　in　the　course　of　this　function；　which　Soames；　no　musician；　had　regarded　as　an　unmitigated　bore；　his　eye　had　been　caught　by　the　face　of　a　girl　dressed　in　mourning；　standing　by　herself。　　The　lines　of　her　tall；　as　yet　rather　thin　figure；　showed　through　the　wispy；　clinging　stuff　of　her　black　dress；　her　black…gloved　hands　were　crossed　in　front　of　her；　her　lips　slightly　parted；　and　her　large；　dark　eyes　wandered　from　face　to　face。　　Her　hair；　done　low　on　her　neck；　seemed　to　gleam　above　her　black　collar　like　coils　of　shining　metal。　　And　as　Soames　stood　looking　at　her；　the　sensation　that　most　men　have　felt　at　one　time　or　another　went　stealing　through　hima　peculiar　satisfaction　of　the　senses；　a　peculiar　certainty；　which　novelists　and　old　ladies　call　love　at　first　sight。　　Still　stealthily　watching　her；　he　at　once　made　his　way　to　his　hostess；　and　stood　doggedly　waiting　for　the　music　to　cease。

〃Who　is　that　girl　with　yellow　hair　and　dark　eyes？〃　he　asked。

〃Thatoh！　　Irene　Heron。　　Her　father；　Professor　Heron；　died　this　year。　　She　lives　with　her　stepmother。　　She's　a　nice　girl；　a　pretty　girl；　but　no　money！〃

〃Introduce　me；　please；〃　said　Soames。

It　was　very　little　that　he　found　to　say；　nor　did　he　find　her　responsive　to　that　little。　　But　he　went　away　with　the　resolution　to　see　her　again。　　He　effected　his　object　by　chance；　meeting　her　on　the　pier　with　her　stepmother；　who　had　the　habit　of　walking　there　from　twelve　to　one　of　a　forenoon。　　Soames　made　this　lady's　acquaintance　with　alacrity；　nor　was　it　long　before　he　perceived　in　her　the　ally　he　was　looking　for。　　His　keen　scent　for　the　commercial　side　of　family　life　soon　told　him　that　Irene　cost　her　stepmother　more　than　the　fifty　pounds　a　year　she　brought　her；　it　also　told　him　that　Mrs。　Heron；　a　woman　yet　in　the　prime　of　life；　desired　to　be　married　again。　　The　strange　ripening　beauty　of　her　stepdaughter　stood　in　the　way　of　this　desirable　consummation。　And　Soames；　in　his　stealthy　tenacity；　laid　his　plans。

He　left　Bournemouth　without　having　given；　himself　away；　but　in　a　month's　time　came　back；　and　this　time　he　spoke；　not　to　the　girl；　but　to　her　stepmother。　　He　had　made　up　his　mind；　he　said；　he　would　wait　any　time。　　And　he　had　long　to　wait；　watching　Irene　bloom；　the　lines　of　her　young　figure　softening；　the　stronger　blood　deepening　the　gleam　of　her　eyes；　and　warming　her　face　to　a　creamy　glow；　and　at　each　visit　he　proposed　to　her；　and　when　that　visit　was　at　an　end；　took　her　refusal　away　with　him；　back　to　London；　sore　at　heart；　but　steadfast　and　silent　as　the　grave。　　He　tried　to　come　at　the　secret　springs　of　her　resistance；　only　once　had　he　a　gleam　of　light。　　It　was　at　one　of　those　assembly　dances；　which　afford　the　only　outlet　to　the　passions　of　the　population　of　seaside　watering…places。　　He　was　sitting　with　her　in　an　embrasure；　his　senses　tingling　with　the　contact　of　the　waltz。　She　had　looked　at　him　over　her；　slowly　waving　fan；　and　he　had　lost　his　head。　　Seizing　that　moving　wrist；　he　pressed　his　lips　to　the　flesh　of　her　arm。　　And　she　had　shudderedto　this　day　he　had　not　forgotten　that　shuddernor　the　look　so　passionately　averse　she　had　given　him。

A　year　after　that　she　had　yielded。　　What　had　made　her　yield　he　could　never　make　out；　and　from　Mrs。　Heron；　a　woman　of　some　diplomatic　talent；　he　learnt　nothing。　　Once　after　they　were　married　he　asked　her；　〃What　made　you　refuse　me　so　often？〃　　She　had　answered　by　a　strange　silence。　　An　enigma　to　him　from　the　day　that　he　first　saw　her；　she　was　an　enigma　to　him　still。。。。

Bosinney　was　waiting　for　him　at　the　door；　and　on　his　rugged；　good…looking；　face　was　a　queer；　yearning；　yet　happy　look；　as　though　he　too　saw　a　promise　of　bliss　in　the　spring　sky；　sniffed　a　coming　happiness　in　the　spring　air。　　Soames　looked　at　him　waiting　there。　　What　was　the　matter　with　the　fellow　that　he　looked　so　happy？　　What　was　he　waiting　for　with　that　smile　on　his　lips　and　in　his　eyes？　　Soames　could　not　see　that　for　which　Bosinney　was　waiting　as　he　stood　there　drinking　in　the　flower…scented　wind。　And　once　more　he　felt　baffled　in　the　presence　of　this　man　whom　by　habit　he　despised。　　He　hastened　on　to　the　house。

〃The　only　colour　for　those　tiles；〃　he　heard　Bosinney　say；〃is　ruby　with　a　grey　tint　in　the　stuff；　to　give　a　transparent　effect。　I　should　like　Irene's　opinion。　　I'm　ordering　the　purple　leather　curtains　for　the　doorway　of　this　court；　and　if　you　distemper　the　drawing…room　ivory　cream　over　paper；　you'll　get　an　illusive　look。　You　want　to　aim　all　through　the　decorations　at　what　I　call　charm。〃

Soames　said：　〃You　mean　that　my　wife　has　charm！〃

Bosinney　evaded　the　question。

〃You　should　have　a　clump　of　iris　plants　in　the　centre　of　that　court。〃

Soames　smiled　superciliously。

〃I'll　look　into　Beech's　some　time；〃　he　said；　〃and　see　what's　appropriate！〃

They；　found　little　else　to　say　to　each　other；　but　on　the　way　to　the　Station　Soames　asked：

〃I　suppose　you　find　Irene　very　artistic。〃

〃Yes。〃　The　abrupt　answer　was　as　distinct　a　snub　as　saying：　〃If　you　want　to　discuss　her　you　can　do　it　with　someone　else！〃

And　the　slow；　sulky　anger　Soames　had　felt　all　the　afternoon　burned　the　brighter　within　him。

Neither　spoke　again　till　they　were　close　to　the　Station；　then　Soames　asked：

〃When　do　you　expect　to　have　finished？〃

〃By　the　end　of　June；　if　you　really　wish　me　to　decorate　as　well。〃

Soames　nodded。　　〃But　you　quite　understand；'　he　said；　〃that　the　house　is　costing　me　a　lot　beyond　what　I　contemplated。　　I　may　as　well　tell　you　that　I　should　have　thrown　it　up；　only　I'm　not　in　the　habit　of　giving　up　what　I've　set　my　mind　on。〃

Bosinney　made　no　reply。　　And　Soames　gave　him　askance　a　look　of　dogged　dislikefor　in　spite　of　his　fastidious　air　and　that　supercilious；　dandified　taciturnity；　Soames；　with　his　set　lips　and　squared　chin；　was　not　unlike　a　bulldog。。。。

When；　at　seven　o'clock　that　evening；　June　arrived　at　62；　Montpellier　Square；　the　maid　Bilson　told　her　that　Mr。　Bosinney　was　in　the　drawing…room；　the　mistressshe　saidwas　dressing；　and　would　be　down　in　a　minute。　　She　would　tell　her　that　Miss　June　was　here。

June　stopped　her　at　once。

〃All　right；　Bilson；〃　she　said；　〃I'll　just　go　in。　　You；　needn't　hurry　Mrs。　Soames。〃

She　took　off　her　cloak；　and　Bilson；　with　an　understanding　look；　did　not　even　open　the　drawing…room　door　for　her；　but　ran　downstairs。

June　paused　for　a　moment　to　look　at　herself　in　the；　little　old…fashioned　silver　mirror　above　the　oaken　rug　chesta　slim；　imperious　young　figure；　with　a　small　resolute　face；　in　a　white　frock；　cut　moon…shaped　at　the　base　of　a　neck　too　slender　for　her　crown　of　twisted　red…gold　hair。

She　opened　the　drawing…room　door　softly；　meaning　to　take　him　by　surprise。　　The　room　was　filled　with　a　sweet　hot　scent　of　flowering　azaleas。

She　took　a　long　breath　of　the　perfume；　and　heard　Bosinney's　voice；　not　in　the　room；　but　quite　close；　saying。

〃Ah！　　there　were　such　heaps　of　things　I　wanted　to　talk　about；　and　now　we　shan't　have　time！〃

Irene's　voice　answered：　〃Why　not　at　dinner？〃

〃How　can　one　talk。。。。〃

June's　first　thought　was　to　go　away；　but　instead　she　crossed　to　the　long　window　opening　on　the　little　court。　　It　was　from　there　that　the　scent　of　the　azaleas　came；　and；　standing　with　their　backs　to　her；　their　faces　buried　in　the　goldenpink　blossoms；　stood　her　lover　and　Irene。

Silent　but　unashamed；　with　flaming　cheeks　and　angry　eyes；　the　girl　watched。

〃Come　on　Sunday　by　yourselfWe　can　go　over　the　house　together。〃

June　saw　Irene　look　up　at　him　through　her　screen　of　blossoms。　　It　was　not　the　look　of　a　coquette；　butfar　worse　to　the　watching　girlof　a　woman　fearful　lest　that　look　should　say　too　much。

〃I've　promised　to　go　for　a　drive　with　Uncle。。。。〃

〃The　big　one！　　Make　him　bring　you；　it's　only　ten　milesthe　very　thing　for　his　horses。〃

〃Poor　old　Uncle　Swithin！〃

A　wave　of　the　azalea　scent　drifted　into　June's　face；　she　felt　sick　and　dizzy。

〃Do！　　ah！　　do！〃

〃But　why？〃

〃I　must　see　you　thereI　thought　you'd　like　to　help　me。。。。〃

The　answer　seemed　to　the　girl　to　come　softly　with　a　tremble　from　amongst　the　blossoms：　〃So　I　do！〃

And　she　stepped　into　the　open　space　of　the　window。

〃How　stuffy　it　is　here！〃　she　said；　〃I　can't　bear　this　scent！〃

Her　eyes；　so　angry　and　direct；　swept　both　their　faces。

〃Were　you　talking　about　the　house？　　I　haven't　seen　it　yet；　you　knowshall　we　all　go　on　Sunday？〃'

》From　Irene's　face　the　colour　had　flown。

〃I　am　going　for　a　drive　that　day　with　Uncle　Swithin；〃　she　answered。

〃Uncle　Swithin！　　What　does　he　matter？　　You　can　throw　him　over！〃

〃I　am　not　in　the　habit　of　throwing　people　over！〃

There　was　a　sound　of　footsteps