fraternity-第44章

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termination：

〃I've　brought　her　back；　Aunt　Cis。〃

At　that　moment；　fraught　with　such　relief；　such　pure　joy；　such　desire　to　say　a　thousand　things；　Cecilia　could　only　murmur：　〃Oh；　Martin！〃

Stephen；　who　had　jumped　up；　asked：　〃Where　is　she？〃

〃Gone　to　her　room。〃

〃Then　perhaps；〃　said　Stephen；　regaining　at　once　his　dry　composure；　〃you　will　give　us　some　explanation　of　this　folly。〃

〃She's　no　use　to　us　at　present。〃

〃Indeed！〃

〃None。〃

〃Then；〃　said　Stephen；　〃kindly　understand　that　we　have　no　use　for　you　in　future；　or　any　of　your　sort。〃

Martin　looked　round　the　table；　resting　his　eyes　on　each　in　turn。

〃You're　right；〃　he　said。　　〃Good…bye！〃

Hilary　and　Cecilia　had　risen；　too。　　There　was　silence。　　Stephen　crossed　to　the　door。

〃You　seem　to　me；〃　he　said　suddenly；　in　his　driest　voice；　〃with　your　new　manners　and　ideas；　quite　a　pernicious　youth。〃

Cecilia　stretched　her　hands　out　towards　Martin；　and　there　was　a　faint　tinkling　as　of　chains。

〃You　must　know；　dear；〃　she　said；　〃how　anxious　we've　all　been。　　Of　course；　your　uncle　doesn't　mean　that。〃

The　same　scornful　tenderness　with　which　he　was　wont　to　look　at　Thyme　passed　into　Martin's　face。

〃All　right；　Aunt　Cis；〃　he　said；　〃if　Stephen　doesn't　mean　it；　he　ought　to。　　To　mean　things　is　what　matters。〃　　He　stooped　and　kissed　her　forehead。　　〃Give　that　to　Thyme　for　me；〃　he　said。　　〃I　shan't　see　her　for　a　bit。〃

〃You'll　never　see　her；　sir；〃　said　Stephen　dryly；　〃if　I　can　help　it！　The　liquor　of　your　Sanitism　is　too　bright　and　effervescent。〃

Martin's　smile　broadened。　　〃For　old　bottles；〃　he　said；　and　with　another　slow　look　round　went　out。

Stephen's　mouth　assumed　its　driest　twist。　　〃Bumptious　young　devil！〃　he　said。　　〃If　that　is　the　new　young　man；　defend　us！〃

Over　the　cool　dining…room；　with　its　faint　scent　of　pinks；　of　melon；　and　of　ham；　came　silence。　　Suddenly　Cecilia　glided　from　the　room。　Her　light　footsteps　were　heard　hurrying；　now　that　she　was　not　visible；　up　to　Thyme。

Hilary；　too；　had　moved　towards　the　door。　　In　spite　of　his　preoccupation；　Stephen　could　not　help　noticing　how　very　worn　his　brother　looked。

〃You　look　quite　seedy；　old　boy；〃　he　said。　　〃Will　you　have　some　brandy？〃

Hilary　shook　his　head。

〃Now　that　you've　got　Thyme　back；〃　he　said；　〃I'd　better　let　you　know　my　news。　　I'm　going　abroad　to…morrow。　　I　don't　know　whether　I　shall　come　back　again　to　live　with　B。〃

Stephen　gave　a　low　whistle；　then；　pressing　Hilary's　arm；　he　said：　〃Anything　you　decide；　old　man；　I'll　always　back　you　in；　but〃

〃I'm　going　alone。〃

In　his　relief　Stephen　violated　the　laws　of　reticence。

〃Thank　Heaven　for　that！　　I　was　afraid　you　were　beginning　to　lose　your　head　about　that　girl〃

〃I'm　not　quite　fool　enough；〃　said　Hilary；　〃to　imagine　that　such　a　liaison　would　be　anything　but　misery　in　the　long…run。　　If　I　took　the　child　I　should　have　to　stick　to　her；　but　I'm　not　proud　of　leaving　her　in　the　lurch；　Stevie。〃

The　tone　of　his　voice　was　so　bitter　that　Stephen　seized　his　hand。

〃My　dear　old　man；　you're　too　kind。　　Why；　she's　no　hold　on　younot　the　smallest　in　the　world！〃

〃Except　the　hold　of　this　devotion　I've　roused　in　her；　God　knows　how；　and　her　destitution。〃

〃You　let　these　people　haunt　you；〃　said　Stephen。　　〃It's　quite　a　mistakeit　really　is。〃

〃I　had　forgotten　to　mention　that　I　am　not　an　iceberg；〃　muttered　Hilary。

Stephen　looked　into　his　face　without　speaking；　then　with　the　utmost　earnestness　he　said：

〃However　much　you　may　be　attracted；　it's　simply　unthinkable　for　a　man　like　you　to　go　outside　his　class。〃

〃Class！　　Yes！〃　muttered　Hilary：　〃Good…bye！〃

And　with　a　long　grip　of　his　brother's　hand　he　went　away。

Stephen　turned　to　the　window。　　For　all　the　care　and　contrivance　bestowed　on　the　view；　far　away　to　the　left　the　back　courts　of　an　alley　could　be　seen；　and　as　though　some　gadfly　had　planted　in　him　its　small　poisonous　sting；　he　moved　back　from　the　sight　at　once。　'Confusion！'　he　thought。　　'Are　we　never　to　get　rid　of　these　infernal　people？'

His　eyes　lighted　on　the　melon。　　A　single　slice　lay　by　itself　on　a　blue…green　dish。　　Leaning　over　a　plate；　with　a　desperation　quite　unlike　himself；　he　took　an　enormous　bite。　　Again　and　again　he　bit　the　slice；　then　almost　threw　it　from　him；　and　dipped　his　fingers　in　a　bowl。

'Thank　God！'　he　thought；　'that's　over！　　What　an　escape！'

Whether　he　meant　Hilary's　escape　or　Thyme's　was　doubtful；　but　there　came　on　him　a　longing　to　rush　up　to　his　little　daughter's　room；　and　hug　her。　　He　suppressed　it；　and　sat　down　at　the　bureau；　he　was　suddenly　experiencing　a　sensation　such　as　he　had　sometimes　felt　on　a　perfect　day；　or　after　physical　danger；　of　too　much　benefit；　of　something　that　he　would　like　to　return　thanks　for；　yet　knew　not　how。　His　hand　stole　to　the　inner　pocket　of　his　black　coat。　　It　stole　out　again；　there　was　a　cheque…book　in　it。　　Before　his　mind's　eye；　starting　up　one　after　the　other；　he　saw　the　names　of　the　societies　he　supported；　or　meant　sometime；　if　he　could　afford　it；　to　support。　　He　reached　his　hand　out　for　a　pen。　　The　still；　small　noise　of　the　nib　travelling　across　the　cheques　mingled　with　the　buzzing　of　a　single　fly。

These　sounds　Cecilia　heard；　when；　from　the　open　door；　she　saw　the　thin　back　of　her　husband's　neck；　with　its　softly　graduated　hair；　bent　forward　above　the　bureau。　　She　stole　over　to　him；　and　pressed　herself　against　his　arm。

Stephen；　staying　the　progress　of　his　pen；　looked　up　at　her。　　Their　eyes　met；　and；　bending　down；　Cecilia　put　her　cheek　to　his。




CHAPTER　XXXVII

THE　FLOWERING　OF　THE　ALOE

This　same　day；　returning　through　Kensington　Gardens；　from　his　preparations　for　departure；　Hilary　came　suddenly　on　Bianca　standing　by　the　shores　of　the　Round　Pond。

To　the　eyes　of　the　frequenters　of　these　Elysian　fields；　where　so　many　men　and　shadows　daily　steal　recreation；　to　the　eyes　of　all　drinking　in　those　green　gardens　their　honeyed　draught　of　peace；　this　husband　and　wife　appeared　merely　a　distinguished…looking　couple；　animated　by　a　leisured　harmony。　　For　the　time　was　not　yet　when　men　were　one；　and　could　tell　by　instinct　what　was　passing　in　each　other's　hearts。

In　truth；　there　were　not　too　many　people　in　London　who；　in　their　situation；　would　have　behaved　with　such　seemlinessnot　too　many　so　civilised　as　they！

Estranged；　and　soon　to　part；　they　retained　the　manner　of　accord　up　to　the　last。　　Not　for　them　the　matrimonial　brawl；　the　solemn　accusation　and　recrimination；　the　pathetic　protestations　of　proprietary　rights。　For　them　no　sacred　view　that　at　all　costs　they　must　make　each　other　miserablenot　even　the　belief　that　they　had　the　right　to　do　so。　　No；　there　was　no　relief　for　their　sore　hearts。　　They　walked　side　by　side；　treating　each　other's　feelings　with　respect；　as　if　there　had　been　no　terrible　heart…turnings　throughout　the　eighteen　years　in　which　they　had　first　loved；　then；　through　mysterious　disharmony；　drifted　apart；　as　if　there　were　now　between　them　no　question　of　this　girl。

Presently　Hilary　said：

〃I've　been　into　town　and　made　my　preparations；　I'm　starting　tomorrow　for　the　mountains。　　There　will　be　no　necessity　for　you　to　leave　your　father。〃

〃Are　you　taking　her？〃

It　was　beautifully　uttered；　without　a　trace　of　bias　or　curiosity；　with　an　unforced　accent；　neither　indifferent　nor　too　interestedno　one　could　have　told　whether　it　was　meant　for　generosity　or　malice。　Hilary　took　it　for　the　former。

〃Thank　you；〃　he　said；　〃but　that　comedy　is　finished。〃

Close　to　the　edge　of　the　Round　Pond　a　swanlike　cutter　was　putting　out　to　sea；　in　the　wake　of　this　fair　creature　a　tiny　scooped…out　bit　of　wood；　with　three　feathers　for　masts；　bobbed　and　trembled；　and　the　two　small　ragged　boys　who　owned　that　little　galley　were　stretching　bits　of　branch　out　towards　her　over　the　bright　waters。

Bianca　looked；　without　seeing；　at　this　proof　of　man's　pride　in　his　own　property。　　A　thin　gold　chain　hung　round　her　neck；　suddenly　she　thrust　it　into　the　bosom　of　her　dress。　　It　had　broken　into　two；　between　her　fingers。

They　reached　home　without　another　word。

At　the　door　of　Hilary's　study　sat　Miranda。　　The　little　person　answered　his　caress　by　a　shiver　of　her　sleek　skin；　then　curled　herself　down　again　on　the　spot　she　had　already　warmed。

〃Aren't　you　coming　in　with　me？〃　　he　said。

Miranda　did　not　move。

The　reason　for　her　refusal　was　apparent　when　Hilary　had　entered。　Close　to　the　long　bookcase；　behind　the　bust　of　Socrates；　stood　the　little　model。　　Very　still；　as　if　fearing　to　betray　itself　by　sound　or　movement；　was　her　figure　in　its　blue…green　frock；　and　a　brimless　toque　of　brown　straw；　with　two　purplish　roses　squashed　together　into　a　band　of　darker　velvet。　　Beside　those　roses　a　tiny　peacock's　feather　had　been　slipped　inunholy　little　visitor；　slanting　backward；　trying；　as　it　were；　to　draw　all　eyes；　yet　to　escape　notice。　　And；　wedged　between　the　grim　white　bust　and　the　dark　bookcase；　the　girl　herself　was　like　some　unlawful　spirit　which　had　slid　in　there；　and　stood　trembling　and　vibrating；　ready　to　be　shuttered　out。

Before　this　apparition　Hilary　recoiled　towards　the　door；　hesitated；　and　returned。

〃You　should　not　have　come　here；〃　he　muttered；　〃after　what　we　said　to　you　yesterday。〃

The　little　model　answered　quickly：　〃But　I've　seen　Hughs；　Mr。　Dallison。　　He's　found　out　where　I　live。　　Oh；　he　does　look　dreadful；　he　frightens　me。　　I　can't　ever　stay　there　now。〃

She　had　come　a　little　out　of　her　hiding…place；　and　stood　fidgeting　her　hands　and　looking　down。

'She's　not　speaking　the　truth；'　thought　Hilary。

The　little　model　gave　him　a　furtive　glance。　　〃I　did　see　him；〃　she　said。　　〃I　must　go　right　away　now；　it　wouldn't　be　safe；　would　it？〃　Again　she　gave　him　that　swift　look。

Hilary　thought　suddenly：　'She　is　using　my　own　weapon　against　me。　　If　she　has　seen　the　man；　he　didn't　frighten　her。　　It　serves　me　right！'　With　a　dry　laugh；　he　turned　his　back。

There　was　a　rustling　round。　　The　little　model　had　moved　out　of　her　retreat；　and　stood　between　him　and　the　door。　　At　this　stealthy　action；　Hilary　felt　once　more　the　tremor　which　had　come　over　him　when　he　sat　beside　her　in　the　Broad　Walk　after　the　baby's　funeral。　Outside　in　the　garden　a　pigeon　was　pouring　forth　a　continuous　love。　song；　Hilary　heard　nothing　of　it；　conscious　only　of　the　figure　of　the　girl　behind　him…that　young。　　figure　which　had　twined　itself　about　his　senses。

〃Well；　what　is　it　you　want？〃　　he　said　at　last。

The　little　model　answered　by　another　question。

'Are　you　really　going　away；　Mr。　Dallison？〃

〃I　am。〃

She　raised　her　hands　to　the　level　of　her　breast；　as　though　she　meant　to　clasp　them　together；　without　doing　so；　however；　she　dropped　them　to　her　sides。　　They　were　cased　in　very　worn　suede　gloves；　and　in　this　dire　moment　of　embarrassment　Hilary's　eyes　fastened　themselves　on　those　slim　hands　moving　against　her　skirt。

The　little　model　tried　at　once　to　slip　them　away　behind　her。　Suddenly　she　said　in　her　matter…of…fact　voice：　〃I　only　wanted　to　ask　Can't　I　come　too？〃

At　this　question；　whose　simplicity　might　have　made　an　angel　smile；　Hilary　experienced　a　sensation　as　if　his　bones　had　been　turned　to　water。　　It　was　strangedeliciousas　though　he　had　been　suddenly　offered　all　that　he　wanted　of　her；　without　all　those　things　that　he　did　not　want。　　He　stood　regarding　her　silently。　　Her　cheeks　and　neck　were　red；　there　was　a　red　tinge；　too；　in　her　e