man of property-第51章

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No　sooner　had　Aunt　Juley　received　this　emblem　of　departure　than　a　change　came　over　her；　as　though　she　were　being　visited　by　dreadful　courage；　every　little　roll　of　flesh　on　her　face　seemed　trying　to　escape　from　an　invisible；　confining　mask。

She　rose　to　the　full　extent　of　her　more　than　medium　height；　and　said：　〃It　has　been　on　my　mind　a　long　time；　dear；　and　if　nobody　else　will　tell　you；　I　have　made　up　my　mind　that。。。。〃

Aunt　Hester　interrupted　her：　〃Mind；　Julia；　you　do　it。。。。〃　she　gasped〃on　your　own　responsibility！〃

Mrs。　Small　went　on　as　though　she　had　not　heard：　〃I　think　you　ought　to　know；　dear；　that　Mrs。　MacAnder　saw　Irene　walking　in　Richmond　Park　with　Mr。　Bosinney。〃

Aunt　Hester；　who　had　also　risen；　sank　back　in　her　chair；　and　turned　her　face　away。　　Really　Juley　was　tooshe　should　not　do　such　things　when　sheAunt　Hester；　was　in　the　room；　and；　breathless　with　anticipation；　she　waited　for　what　Soames　would　answer。

He　had　flushed　the　peculiar　flush　which　always　centred　between　his　eyes；　lifting　his　hand；　and；　as　it　were；　selecting　a　finger；　he　bit　a　nail　delicately；　then；　drawling　it　out　between　set　lips；　he　said：　〃Mrs。　MacAnder　is　a　cat！〃

Without　waiting　for　any　reply；　he　left　the　room。

When　he　went　into　Timothy's　he　had　made　up　his　mind　what　course　to　pursue　on　getting　home。　　He　would　go　up　to　Irene　and　say：

〃Well；　I've　won　my　case；　and　there's　an　end　of　it！　　I　don't　want　to　be　hard　on　Bosinney；　I'll　see　if　we　can't　come　to　some　arrangement；　he　shan't　be　pressed。　　And　now　let's　turn　over　a　new　leaf！　　We'll　let　the　house；　and　get　out　of　these　fogs。　　We'll　go　down　to　Robin　Hill　at　once。　　II　never　meant　to　be　rough　with　you！　　Let's　shake　handsand〃　　Perhaps　she　would　let　him　kiss　her；　and　forget！

When　he　came　out　of　Timothy's　his　intentions　were　no　longer　so　simple。　　The　smouldering　jealousy　and　suspicion　of　months　blazed　up　within　him。　　He　would　put　an　end　to　that　sort　of　thing　once　and　for　all；　he　would　not　have　her　drag　his　name　in　the　dirt！　　If　she　could　not　or　would　not　love　him；　as　was　her　duty　and　his　rightshe　should　not　play　him　tricks　with　anyone　else！　　He　would　tax　her　with　it；　threaten　to　divorce　her！　　That　would　make　her　behave；　she　would　never　face　that。　　Butbutwhat　if　she　did？　He　was　staggered；　this　had　not　occurred　to　him。

What　if　she　did？　　What　if　she　made　him　a　confession？　　How　would　he　stand　then？　　He　would　have　to　bring　a　divorce！

A　divorce！　　Thus　close；　the　word　was　paralyzing；　so　utterly　at　variance　with　all　the　principles　that　had　hitherto　guided　his　life。　　Its　lack　of　compromise　appalled　him；　he　feltlike　the　captain　of　a　ship；　going　to　the　side　of　his　vessel；　and；　with　his　own　hands　throwing　over　the　most　precious　of　his　bales。　　This　jettisoning　of　his　property　with　his　own　hand　seemed　uncanny　to　Soames。　　It　would　injure　him　in　his　profession：　He　would　have　to　get　rid　of　the　house　at　Robin　Hill；　on　which　he　had　spent　so　much　money；　so　much　anticipationand　at　a　sacrifice。　　And　she！　　She　would　no　longer　belong　to　him；　not　even　in　name！　　She　would　pass　out　of　his　life；　and　hehe　should　never　see　her　again！

He　traversed　in　the　cab　the　length　of　a　street　without　getting　beyond　the　thought　that　he　should　never　see　her　again！

But　perhaps　there　was　nothing　to　confess；　even　now　very　likely　there　was　nothing　to　confess。　　Was　it　wise　to　push　things　so　far？　Was　it　wise　to　put　himself　into　a　position　where　he　might　have　to　eat　his　words？　　The　result　of　this　case　would　ruin　Bosinney；　a　ruined　man　was　desperate；　butwhat　could　he　do？　　He　might　go　abroad；　ruined　men　always　went　abroad。　　What　could　they　doif　indeed　it　was　'they'without　money？　　It　would　be　better　to　wait　and　see　how　things　turned　out。　　If　necessary；　he　could　have　her　watched。　　The　agony　of　his　jealousy　（for　all　the　world　like　the　crisis　of　an　aching　tooth）　came　on　again；　and　he　almost　cried　out。　　But　he　must　decide；　fix　on　some　course　of　action　before　he　got　home。　　When　the　cab　drew　up　at　the　door；　he　had　decided　nothing。

He　entered；　pale；　his　hands　moist　with　perspiration；　dreading　to　meet　her；　burning　to　meet　her；　ignorant　of　what　he　was　to　say　or　do。

The　maid　Bilson　was　in　the　hall；　and　in　answer　to　his　question：　〃Where　is　your　mistress？〃　told　him　that　Mrs。　Forsyte　had　left　the　house　about　noon；　taking　with　her　a　trunk　and　bag。

Snatching　the　sleeve　of　his　fur　coat　away　from　her　grasp；　he　confronted　her：

〃What？〃　he　exclaimed；　〃what's　that　you　said？〃　Suddenly　recollecting　that　he　must　not　betray　emotion；　he　added：　〃What　message　did　she　leave？〃　and　noticed　with　secret　terror　the　startled　look　of　the　maid's　eyes。

〃Mrs。　Forsyte　left　no　message；　sir。〃

〃No　message；　very　well；　thank　you；　that　will　do。　　I　shall　be　dining　out。〃

The　maid　went　downstairs；　leaving　him　still　in　his　fur　coat；　idly　turning　over　the　visiting　cards　in　the　porcelain　bowl　that　stood　on　the　carved　oak　rug　chest　in　the　hall。

Mr。　and　Mrs。　Bareham　Culcher。　Mrs。　Septimus　Small。　Mrs。　Baynes。　Mr。　Solomon　Thornworthy。　Lady　Bellis。　Miss　Hermione　Bellis。　Miss　Winifred　Bellis。　Miss　Ella　Bellis。

Who　the　devil　were　all　these　people？　　He　seemed　to　have　forgotten　all　familiar　things。　　The　words　'no　messagea　trunk；　and　a　bag；'　played　a　hide…and…seek　in　his　brain。　　It　was　incredible　that　she　had　left　no　message；　and；　still　in　his　fur　coat；　he　ran　upstairs　two　steps　at　a　time；　as　a　young　married　man　when　he　comes　home　will　run　up　to　his　wife's　room。

Everything　was　dainty；　fresh；　sweet…smelling；　everything　in　perfect　order。　　On　the　great　bed　with　its　lilac　silk　quilt；　was　the　bag　she　had　made　and　embroidered　with　her　own　hands　to　hold　her　sleeping　things；　her　slippers　ready　at　the　foot；　the　sheets　even　turned　over　at　the　head　as　though　expecting　her。

On　the　table　stood　the　silver…mounted　brushes　and　bottles　from　her　dressing　bag；　his　own　present。　　There　must；　then；　be　some　mistake。　　What　bag　had　she　taken？　　He　went　to　the　bell　to　summon　Bilson；　but　remembered　in　time　that　he　must　assume　knowledge　of　where　Irene　had　gone；　take　it　all　as　a　matter　of　course；　and　grope　out　the　meaning　for　himself。

He　locked　the　doors；　and　tried　to　think；　but　felt　his　brain　going　round；　and　suddenly　tears　forced　themselves　into　his　eyes。

Hurriedly　pulling　off　his　coat；　he　looked　at　himself　in　the　mirror。

He　was　too　pale；　a　greyish　tinge　all　over　his　face；　he　poured　out　water；　and　began　feverishly　washing。

Her　silver…mounted　brushes　smelt　faintly　of　the　perfumed　lotion　she　used　for　her　hair；　and　at　this　scent　the　burning　sickness　of　his　jealousy　seized　him　again。

Struggling　into　his　fur；　he　ran　downstairs　and　out　into　the　street。

He　had　not　lost　all　command　of　himself；　however；　and　as　he　went　down　Sloane　Street　he　framed　a　story　for　use；　in　case　he　should　not　find　her　at　Bosinney's。　　But　if　he　should？　　His　power　of　decision　again　failed；　he　reached　the　house　without　knowing　what　he　should　do　if　he　did　find　her　there。

It　was　after　office　hours；　and　the　street　door　was　closed；　the　woman　who　opened　it　could　not　say　whether　Mr。　Bosinney　were　in　or　no；　she　had　not　seen　him　that　day；　not　for　two　or　three　days；　she　did　not　attend　to　him　now；　nobody　attended　to　him；　he。。。。

Soames　interrupted　her；　he　would　go　up　and　see　for　himself。　　He　went　up　with　a　dogged；　white　face。

The　top　floor　was　unlighted；　the　door　closed；　no　one　answered　his　ringing；　he　could　hear　no　sound。　　He　was　obliged　to　descend；　shivering　under　his　fur；　a　chill　at　his　heart。　　Hailing　a　cab；　he　told　the　man　to　drive　to　Park　Lane。

On　the　way　he　tried　to　recollect　when　he　had　last　given　her　a　cheque；　she　could　not　have　more　than　three　or　four　pounds；　but　there　were　her　jewels；　and　with　exquisite　torture　he　remembered　how　much　money　she　could　raise　on　these；　enough　to　take　them　abroad；　enough　for　them　to　live　on　for　months！　　He　tried　to　calculate；　the　cab　stopped；　and　he　got　out　with　the　calculation　unmade。

The　butler　asked　whether　Mrs。　Soames　was　in　the　cab；　the　master　had　told　him　they　were　both　expected　to　dinner。

Soames　answered：　〃No。　　Mrs。　Forsyte　has　a　cold。〃

The　butler　was　sorry。

Soames　thought　he　was　looking　at　him　inquisitively；　and　remembering　that　he　was　not　in　dress　clothes；　asked：　〃Anybody　here　to　dinner；　Warmson？〃

〃Nobody　but　Mr。　and　Mrs。　Dartie；　sir。〃

Again　it　seemed　to　Soames　that　the　butler　was　looking　curiously　at　him。　　His　composure　gave　way。

〃What　are　you　looking　at？〃　he　said。　　〃What's　the　matter　with　me；　eh？〃

The　butler　blushed；　hung　up　the　fur　coat；　murmured　something　that　sounded　like：　〃Nothing；　sir；　I'm　sure；　sir；〃　and　stealthily　withdrew。

Soames　walked　upstairs。　　Passing　the　drawing…room　without　a　look；　he　went　straight　up　to　his　mother's　and　father's　bedroom。

James；　standing　sideways；　the　concave　lines　of　his　tall；　lean　figure　displayed　to　advantage　in　shirt…sleeves　and　evening　waistcoat；　his　head　bent；　the　end　of　his　white　tie　peeping　askew　from　underneath　one　white　Dundreary　whisker；　his　eyes　peering　with　intense　concentration；　his　lips　pouting；　was　hooking　the　top　hooks　of　his　wife's　bodice。　　Soames　stopped；　he　felt　half…choked；　whether　because　he　had　come　upstairs　too　fast；　or　for　some　other　reason。　　Hehe　himself　had　nevernever　been　asked　to。。。。

He　heard　his　father's　voice；　as　though　there　were　a　pin　in　his　mouth；　saying：　〃Who's　that？　　Who's　there？　　What　d'you　want？〃　His　mother's：　〃Here；　Felice；　come　and　hook　this；　your　master'll　never　get　done。〃

He　put　his　hand　up　to　his　throat；　and　said　hoarsely：

〃It's　ISoames！〃

He　noticed　gratefully　the　affectionate　surprise　in　Emily's：　〃Well；　my　dear　boy？〃　and　James'；　as　he　dropped　the　hook：　〃What；　Soames！　　What's　brought　you　up？　　Aren't　you　well？〃

He　answered　mechanically：　〃I'm　all　right；〃　and　looked　at　them；　and　it　seemed　impossible　to　bring　out　his　news。

James；　quick　to　take　alarm；　began：　〃You　don't　look　well。　　I　expect　you've　taken　a　chillit's　liver；　I　shouldn't　wonder。　Your　mother'll　give　you。。。。〃

But　Emily　broke　in　quietly：　〃Have　you　brought　Irene？〃

Soames　shook　his　head。

〃No；〃　he　stammered；　〃sheshe's　left　me！〃

Emily　deserted　the　mirror　before　which　she　was　standing。　　Her　tall；　full　figure　lost　its　majesty　and　became　very　human　as　she　came　running　over　to　Soames。

〃My　dear　boy！　　My　dear　boy！〃

She　put　her　lips　to　his　forehead；　and　stroked　his　hand。

James；　too；　had　turned　full　towards　his　son；　his　face　looked　older。

〃Left　you？〃　he　said。　　〃What　d'you　meanleft　you？　　You　never　told　me　she　was　going　to　leave　you。〃

Soames　answered　surlily：　〃How　could　I　tell？　　What's　to　be　done？〃

James　began　walking　up　and　down；　he　looked　strange　and　stork…like　without　a　coat。　　〃What's　to　be　done！〃　he　muttered。　　〃How　should　I　know　what's　to　be　done？　　What's　the　good　of　asking　me？　　Nobody　tells　me　anything；　and　then　they　come　and　ask　me　what's　to　be　done；　and　I　should　like　to　know　how　I'm　to　tell　them！　　Here's　your　mother；　there　she　stands；　she　doesn't　say　anything。　　What　I　should　say　you've　got　to　do　is　to　follow　her。。〃

Soames　smiled；　his　peculiar；　supercilious　smile　had　never　before　looked　pitiable。

〃I　don't　know　where　she's　gone；〃　he　said。

〃Don't　know　where　she's　gone！〃　said　James。　　〃How　d'you　mean；　don't　know　where　she's　gone？　　Where　d'you　suppose　she's　gone？　She's　gone　after　that　young　Bosinney；　that's　where　she's　gone。　　I　knew　how　it　would　be。〃

Soames；　in　the　long