man of property-第23章

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He　had　little　to　say　of　the　drawing　or　dining…rooms；　which　he　described　as　'spacious〃；　but　fell　into　such　raptures　as　he　permitted　to　a　man　of　his　dignity；　in　the　wine…cellar；　to　which　he　descended　by　stone　steps；　Bosinney　going　first　with　a　light。

〃You'll　have　room　here；〃　he　said；　〃for　six　or　seven　hundred。　dozena　very　pooty　little　cellar！〃

Bosinney　having　expressed　the　wish　to　show　them　the　house　from　the　copse　below；　Swithin　came　to　a　stop。

〃There's　a　fine　view　from　here；〃　he　remarked；　〃you　haven't　such　a　thing　as　a　chair？〃

A　chair　was　brought　him　from　Bosinney's　tent。

〃You　go　down；〃　he　said　blandly；　〃you　two！　　I'll　sit　here　and　look　at　the　view。〃

He　sat　down　by　the　oak　tree；　in　the　sun；　square　and　upright；　with　one　hand　stretched　out；　resting　on　the　nob　of　his　cane；　the　other　planted　on　his　knee；　his　fur　coat　thrown　open；　his　hat；　roofing　with　its　flat　top　the　pale　square　of　his　face；　his　stare；　very　blank；　fixed　on　the　landscape。

He　nodded　to　them　as　they　went；　off　down　through　the　fields。　　He　was；　indeed；　not　sorry　to　be　left　thus　for　a　quiet　moment　of　reflection。　　The　air　was　balmy；　not　too　much　heat　in　the　sun；　the　prospect　a　fine　one；　a　remarka。。。。　　His　head　fell　a　little　to　one　side；　he　jerked　it　up　and　thought：　Odd！　　Heah！　　They　were　waving　to　him　from　the　bottom！　　He　put　up　his　hand；　and　moved　it　more　than　once。　　They　were　activethe　prospect　was　remar。。。。　His　head　fell　to　the　left；　he　jerked　it　up　at　once；　it　fell　to　the　right。　　It　remained　there；　he　was　asleep。

And　asleep；　a　sentinel　on　thetop　of　the　rise；　he　　appeared　to　rule　over　this　prospectremarkablelike　some　image　blocked　out　by　the　special　artist；　of　primeval　Forsytes　in　pagan　days；　to　record　the　domination　of　mind　over　matter！

And　all　the　unnumbered　generations　of　his　yeoman　ancestors；　wont　of　a　Sunday　to　stand　akimbo　surveying　their　little　plots　of　land；　their　grey　unmoving　eyes　hiding　their　instinct　with　its　hidden　roots　of　violence；　their　instinct　for　possession　to　the　exclusion　of　all　the　worldall　these　unnumbered　generations　seemed　to　sit　there　with　him　on　the　top　of　the　rise。

But　from　him；　thus　slumbering；　his　jealous　Forsyte　spirit　travelled　far；　into　God…knows…what　jungle　of　fancies；　with　those　two　young　people；　to　see　what　they　were　doing　down　there　in　the　copsein　the　copse　where　the　spring　was　running　riot　with　the　scent　of　sap　and　bursting　buds；　the　song　of　birds　innumerable；　a　carpet　of　bluebells　and　sweet　growing　things；　and　the　sun　caught　like　gold　in　the　tops　of　the　trees；　to　see　what　they　were　doing；　walking　along　there　so　close　together　on　the　path　that　was　too　narrow；　walking　along　there　so　close　that　they　were　always　touching；　to　watch　Irene's　eyes；　like　dark　thieves；　stealing　the　heart　out　of　the　spring。　　And　a　great　unseen　chaperon；　his　spirit　was　there；　stopping　with　them　to　look　at　the　little　furry　corpse　of　a　mole；　not　dead　an　hour；　with　his　mushroomand　silver　coat　untouched　by　the　rain　or　dew；　watching　over　Irene's　bent　head；　and　the　soft　look　of　her　pitying　eyes；　and　over　that　young　man's　head；　gazing　at　her　so　hard；　so　strangely。　　Walking　on　with　them；　too；　across　the　open　space　where　a　wood…cutter　had　been　at　work；　where　the　bluebells　were　trampled　down；　and　a　trunk　had　swayed　and　staggered　down　from　its　gashed　stump。　　Climbing　it　with　them；　over；　and　on　to　the　very　edge　of　the　copse；　whence　there　stretched　an　undiscovered　country；　from　far　away　in　which　came　the　sounds；　'Cuckoo…cuckoo！'

Silent；　standing　with　them　there；　and　uneasy　at　their　silence！　Very　queer；　very　strange！

Then　back　again；　as　though　guilty；　through　the　woodback　to　the　cutting；　still　silent；　amongst　the　songs　of　birds　that　never　ceased；　and　the　wild　scenthum！　what　was　itlike　that　herb　they　put　inback　to　the　log　across　the　path。。。。

And　then　unseen；　uneasy；　flapping　above　them；　trying　to　make　noises；　his　Forsyte　spirit　watched　her　balanced　on　the　log；　her　pretty　figure　swaying；　smiling　down　at　that　young　man　gazing　up　with　such　strange；　shining　eyes；　slipping　nowaah！　falling；　ooh！　　slidingdown　his　breast；　her　soft；　warm　body　clutched；　her　head　bent　back　from　his　lips；　his　kiss；　her　recoil；　his　cry：　〃You　must　knowI　love　you！〃　Must　knowindeed；　a　pretty。。。？　Love！　　Hah！

Swithin　awoke；　virtue　had　gone　out　of　him。　　He　had　a　taste　in　his　mouth。　　Where　was　he？

Damme！　　He　had　been　asleep！

He　had　dreamed　something　about　a　new　soup；　with　a　taste　of　mint　in　it。

Those　young　peoplewhere　had　they　got　to？　　His　left　leg　had　pins　and　needles。

〃Adolf！〃　　The　rascal　was　not　there；　the　rascal　was　asleep　somewhere。

He　stood　up；　tall；　square；　bulky　in　his　fur；　looking　anxiously　down　over　the　fields；　and　presently　he　saw　them　coming。

Irene　was　in　front；　that　young　fellowwhat　had　they　nicknamed　him'The　Buccaneer？'　looked　precious　hangdog　there　behind　her；　had　got　a　flea　in　his　ear；　he　shouldn't　wonder。　　Serve　him　right；　taking　her　down　all　that　way　to　look　at　the　house！　　The　proper　place　to　look　at　a　house　from　was　the　lawn。

They　saw　him。　　He　extended　his　arm；　and　moved　it　spasmodically　to　encourage　them。　　But　they　had　stopped。　　What　were　they　standing　there　for；　talkingtalking？　　They　came　on　again。　　She　had　been；　giving　him　a　rub；　he　had　not　the　least　doubt　of　it；　and　no　wonder；　over　a　house　like　thata　great　ugly　thing；　not　the　sort　of　house　be　was　accustomed　to。

He　looked　intently　at　their　faces；　with　his　pale；　immovable　stare。　　That　young　man　looked　very　queer！

〃You'll　never　make　anything　of　this！〃　he　said　tartly；　pointing　at　the　mansion；〃too　newfangled！〃

Bosinney　gazed　at　him　as　though　he　had　not　heard；　and　Swithin　afterwards　described　him　to；　Aunt　Hester　as　〃an　extravagant　sort　of　fellow　very　odd　way　of　looking　at　youa　bumpy　beggar！〃

What　gave　rise　to　this　sudden　piece　of　psychology　he　did　not　state；　possibly　Bosinney's；　prominent　forehead　and　cheekbones　and　chin；　or　something　hungry　in　his　face；　which　quarrelled　with　Swithin's　conception　of　the　calm　satiety　that　should　characterize　the　perfect　gentleman。

He　brightened　up　at　the　mention　of　tea。　　He　had　a　contempt　for　teahis　brother　Jolyon　had　been　in　tea；　made　a　lot　of　money　by　itbut　he　was　so　thirsty；　and　had　such　a　taste　in　his　mouth；　that　he　was　prepared　to　drink　anything。　　He　longed　to　inform　Irene　of　the　taste　in　his　mouthshe　was　so　sympatheticbut　it　would　not　be　a；　distinguished　thing　to　do；　he　rolled　his　tongue　round；　and　faintly　smacked　it　against　his　palate。

In　a　far　corner　of　the　tent　Adolf　was　bending　his　cat…like　moustaches　over　a　kettle。　　He　left　it　at　once　to　draw　the　cork　of　a　pint…bottle　of　champagne。　　Swithin　smiled；　and；　nodding　at　Bosinney；　said：　〃Why；　you're　quite　a　Monte　Cristo！〃　　This　celebrated　novelone　of　the　half…dozen　he　had　readhad　produced　an　extraordinary　impression　on　his　mind。

Taking　his　glass　from　the　table；　he　held　it　away　from　him　to　scrutinize　the　colour；　thirsty　as　he　was；　it　was　not　likely　that　he　was　going　to　drink　trash！　　Then；　placing　it　to　his　lips；　he　took　a　sip。

〃A　very　nice　wine；〃　he　said　at　last；　passing　it　before　his　nose；　〃not　the　equal　of　my　Heidsieck！〃

It　was　at　this　moment　that　the　idea　came　to　him　which　he　afterwards　imparted　at　Timothy's　in　this　nutshell：　〃I　shouldn't　wonder　a　bit　if　that　architect　chap　were　sweet　upon　Mrs。　Soames！〃

And　from　this　moment　his　pale；　round　eyes　never　ceased　to　bulge　with　the　interest　of　his　discovery。

〃The　fellow；〃　he　said　to　Mrs。　Septimus；　〃follows　her　about　with　his　eyes　like　a　dogthe　bumpy　beggar！　　I　don't　wonder　at　it　she's　a　very　charming　woman；　and；　I　should　say；　the　pink　of　discretion！〃　　A　vague　consciousness　of；　perfume　caging　about　Irene；　like　that　from　a　flower　with　half…closed　petals　and　a　passionate　heart；　moved　him　to　the　creation　of　this　image。　　〃But　I　wasn't　sure　of　it；〃　he　said；　〃till　I　saw　him　pick　up　her　handkerchief。〃

Mrs。　Small's　eyes　boiled　with　excitement。

〃And　did　he　give　it　her　back？〃　she　asked。

〃Give　it　back？〃　said　Swithin：　〃I　saw　him　slobber　on　it　when　he　thought　I　wasn't　looking！

Mrs。　Small　gaspedtoo　interested　to　speak。

〃But　she　gave　him　no　encouragement；〃　went　on　Swithin；　he　stopped；　and　stared　for　a　minute　or　two　in　the　way　that　alarmed　Aunt　Hester　sohe　had　suddenly　recollected　that；　as　they　were　starting　back　in　the…phaeton；　she　had　given　Bosinney　her　hand　a　second　time；　and　let　it　stay　there　too。。。。　　He　had　touched　his　horses　smartly　with　the　whip；　anxious　to　get　her　all　to　himself。　But　she　had　looked　back；　and　she　had　not　answered　his　first　question；　neither　had　he　been　able　to　see　her　faceshe　had　kept　it　hanging　down。

There　is　somewhere　a　picture；　which　Swithin　has　not　seen；　of　a　man　sitting　on　a　rock；　and　by　him；　immersed　in　the　still；　green　water；　a　sea…nymph　lying　on　her　back；　with　her　hand　on　her　naked　breast。　　She　has　a　half…smile　on　her　facea　smile　of　hopeless　surrender　and　of　secret　joy。

Seated　by　Swithin's　side；　Irene　may　have　been　smiling　like　that。

When；　warmed　by　champagne；　he　had　her　all　to　himself；　he　unbosomed　himself　of　his　wrongs；　of　his　smothered　resentment　against　the　new　chef　at　the　club；　his　worry　over　the　house　in　Wigmore　Street；　where　the　rascally　tenant　had　gone　bankrupt　through　helping　his　brother…in…law　as　if　charity　did　not　begin　at　home；　of　his　deafness；　too；　and　that　pain　he　sometimes　got　in　his　right　side。　　She　listened；　her　eyes　swimming　under　their　lids。　He　thought　she　was　thinking　deeply　of　his　troubles；　and　pitied　himself　terribly。　　Yet　in　his　fur　coat；　with　frogs　across　the　breast；　his　top　hat　aslant；　driving　this　beautiful　woman；　he　had　never　felt　more　distinguished。

A　coster；　however；　taking　his　girl　for　a　Sunday　airing；　seemed　to　have　the　same　impression　about　himself。　　This　person　had　flogged　his　donkey　into　a　gallop　alongside；　and　sat；　upright　as　a　waxwork；　in　his　shallopy　chariot；　his　chin　settled　pompously　on　a　red　handkerchief；　like　Swithin's　on　his　full　cravat；　while　his　girl；　with　the　ends　of　a　fly…blown　boa　floating　out　behind；　aped　a　woman　of　fashion。　　Her　swain　moved　a　stick　with　a　ragged　bit　of　string　dangling　from　the　end；　reproducing　with　strange　fidelity　the　circular　flourish　of　Swithin's　whip；　and　rolled　his　head　at　his　lady　with　a　leer　that　had　a　weird　likeness　to　Swithin's　primeval　stare。

Though　for　a　time　unconscious　of　the　lowly　ruffian's　presence；　Swithin　presently　took　it　into　his　head　that　he　was　being　guyed。　He　laid　his　whip…lash　across　the　mares　flank。　　The　two　chariots；　however；　by　some　unfortunate　fatality　continued　abreast。　Swithin's　yellow；　puffy　face　grew　red；　he　raised　his　whip　to　lash　the　costermonger；　but　was　saved　from　so　far　forgetting　his　dignity　by　a　special　intervention　of　Providence。　　A　carriage　driving　out　through　a　gate　forced　phaeton　and　donkey…cart　into　proximity；　the　wheels　grated；　the　lighter　vehicle　skidded；　and　was　overturned。

Swithin　did　not　look　round。　　On　no　account　would　he　have　pulled　up　to　help　the　ruffian。　　Serve　him　right　if　he　had　broken　his　neck！

But　he　could　not　if　he　would。　　The　greys　had　taken　alarm。　　The　phaeton　swung　from　side　to　side；　and　people　raised　frightened　faces　as　they　went　dashing　past。　　Swithin's　great　arms；　stretched　at　full　length；　tugged　at　the　reins。　　His　cheeks　were　puffed；　his　lips　compressed；　his　swollen　face　was　of　a　dull；　angry　red。

Irene　had　her　hand　on　the　rail；　and　at　every　lurch　she　gr