active service-第29章

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a　tacit　dismissal　of　Coleman　as　a　topic。

Nora；　now　thoroughly　alert；　glanced　keenly　into　the　other　girl's　face；　but　it　was　inscrutable。　The　actress　had　intended　to　go　careering　through　a　whole　circle　of　daring　illusions　to　an　intimacy　with；Coleman；　but　here；　before　she　had　really　developed　her　attack；　Marjory；　with　a　few　conventional　and　indifferent　sentences；　almost　expressive　of　boredom；　had　made　the　subject　of　Coleman　impossible。　An　effect　was　left　upon　Nora's　mind　that　Marjory　had　been　extremely　polite　in　listening　to　much　nervous　talk　about　a　person　in　whom　she　had　no　interest。

The　actress　was　dazed。　She　did　not　know　how　it　had　all　been　done。　Where　was　the　head　of　this　thing？　And　where　Was　the　tail？　A　fog　had　mysteriously　come　upon　all　her　brilliant　prospects　of　seeing　Marjory　　Wainwright　suffer；　and　this　fog　was　the　product　of　a　kind　of　magic　with　which　she　was　not　familiar。　She　could　not　think　how　to　fight　it。　After　being　simply　dubious　throughout　a　long　pause；　she　in　the　end　went　into　a　great　rage。　She　glared　furiously　at　Marjory；　dropped　her　arm　as　if　it　had　burned　her　and　moved　down　upon　Coleman。　She　must　have　reflected　that　at　any　rate　she　could　make　him　wriggle。　When　she　was　come　near　to　him；　she　called　out：　〃Rufus！〃　In　her　tone　was　all　the　old　insolent　statement　of　ownership。　Coleman　might　have　been　a　poodle。　She　knew　how　to　call　his　same　in　a　way　that　was　anything　less　than　a　public　scandal。　On　this　occasion　everybody　　looked　at　him　and　then　went　silent；　as　people　awaiting　the　startling　denouement　of　a　drama。　〃　Rufus！　〃　She　was　baring　his　shoulder　to　show　the　fieur…de…lis　of　the　criminal。　The　students　gaped。

Coleman's　temper　was；　if　one　may　be　allowed　to　speak　in　that　way；　broken　loose　inside　of　him。　He　could　hardly　beeathe；　he　felt　that　his　body　was　about　to　explode　into　a　thousand　fragments。　He　simply　snarled　out　〃　What？　〃　Almost　at　once　he　saw　that　she　had　at　last　goaded　him　into　making　a　serious　tactical　mistake。　It　must　be　admitted　that　it　is　only　when　the　relations　between　a　man　and　a　woman　are　the　relations　of　wedlock；　or　at　least　an　intimate　　resemblance　to　it；　that　the　man　snarls　out　〃　What？　〃　to　the　woman。　Mere　lovers　say　〃　I　beg　your　pardon　？　〃　It　is　only　Cupid's　finished　product　that　spits　like　a　cat。　Nora　Black　had　called　him　like　a　wife；　and　he　had　answered　like　a　husband。　For　his　cause；　his　manner　could　not　possibly　have　been　worse。　He　saw　the　professor　stare　at　him　in　surprise　and　alarm；　and　felt　the　excitement　of　the　eight　students。　These　latter　were　diabolic　in　the　celerity　with　which　they　picked　out　meanings。　It　was　as　plain　to　them　as　if　Nora　Black　had　said：　〃　He　is　my　property。〃

Coleman　would　have　given　his　nose　to　have　been　able　to　recall　that　single　reverberating　word。　But　he　saw　that　the　scene　was　spelling　downfall　for　him；　and　he　went　still　more　blind　and　desperate　of　it。　His　despair　made　him　burn　to　make　matters　Worse。　He　did　not　want　to　improve　anything　at　all。　〃　What？〃　he　demanded。　〃　What　do　ye'　want？〃

Nora　was　sweetly　reproachful。　〃　I　left　my　jacket　in　the　carriage；　and　I　want　you　to　get　it　for　me。〃

〃　Well；　get　it　for　yourself；　do　you　see？　Get　it　for　yourself。〃

Now　it　is　plainly　to　be　seen　that　no　one　of　the　people　listening　there　had　ever　heard　a　man　speak　thus　to　a　woman　who　was　not　his　wife。　Whenever　they　had　heard　that　form　of　spirited　repartee　it　had　come　from　the　lips　of　a　husband。　Coleman's　rude　speech　was　to　their　ears　a　flat　announcement　of　an　extraordinary　intimacy　between　Nora　Black　and　the　correspondent。　Any　other　interpretation　would　not　have　occurred　to　them。　It　was　so　palpable　that　it　greatly　distressed　them　with　its　arrogance　and　boldness。　The　professor　had　blushed。　The　very　milkiest　word　in　his　mind　at　the　time　was　the　word　vulgarity。

Nora　Black　had　won　a　great　battle。　It　was　her　Agincourt。　She　had　beaten　the　clever　Coleman　in　a　way　that　had　left　little　of　him　but　rags。　However；　she　could　have　lost　it　all　again　if　she　had　shown　her　feeling　of　elation。　At　Coleman's　rudeness　her　manner　indicated　a　mixture　of　sadness　and　embarrassment。　Her　suffering　was　so　plain　to　the　eye　that　Peter　Tounley　was　instantly　moved。　〃　Can't　I　get　your　jacket　for　you；　Miss　Black？　〃　he　asked　hastily；　and　at　her　grateful　nod　he　was　off　at　once。

Coleman　was　resolved　to　improve　nothing。　His　overthrow　seemed　to　him　to　be　so　complete　that　he　could　not　in　any　way　mend　it　without　a　sacrifice　of　his　dearest　prides。　He　turned　away　from　them　all　and　walked　to　an　isolated　corner　of　the　room。　He　would　abide　no　longer　with　them。　He　had　been　made　an　outcast　by　Nora　Black；　and　he　intended　to　be　an　　outcast。　Therc　was　no　sense　in　attempting　to　stem　this　extraordinary　deluge。　It　was　better　to　acquiesce。　Then　suddenly　he　was　angry　with　Marjory。　He　did　not　exactly　see　why　he　was　angry　at　Marjory；　but　he　was　angry　at　her　nevertheless。　He　thought　of　how　he　could　revenge　himself　upon　her。　He　　decided　to　take　horse　with　his　groom　and　dragoman　and　proceed　forthwith　on　the　road；　leaving　the　jumble　as　it　stood。　This　would　pain　Marjory；　anyhow；　he　hoped。　She　would　feel　it　deeply；　he　hoped。　Acting　upon　this　plan；　he　went　to　the　professor。　Well；　of　course　you　are　all　right　now；　professor；　and　if　you　don't　mind；　I　would　like　to　leave　you…go　on　ahead。　I've　got　a　considerable　pressure　of　business　on　my　mind；　and　I　think　I　should　hurry　on　to　Athens；　if　you　don't　mind。〃

The　professor　did　not　seem　to　know　what　to　say。　〃　Of　course；　if　you　wish　it…sorry；　I'm　sure…of　course　it　is　as　you　please…but　you　have　been　such　a　power　in　our　favour…it　seems　too　bad　to　lose　you…but…if　you　wish　it…if　you　insist…〃

〃　Oh；　yes；　I　quite　insist；〃　said　Coleman；　calmly。　〃I　quite　insist。　Make　your　mind　easy　on　that　score；　professor。　I　insist。〃

〃Well；　Mr。　Coleman；〃　stammered　the　old　man。　〃　Well；　it　seems　a　great　pity　to　lose　you…you　have　been　such　a　power　in　our　favour…〃

〃Oh；　you　are　now　only　eight　hours　from　the　rail…　way。　It　is　very　easy。　You　would　not　need　my　as…　sistance；　even　if　it　were　a　benefit！

〃　But…〃　said　the　professor。

Coleman's　dragoman　came　to　him　then　and　said：　〃There　is　one　man　here　who　says　you　made　to　take　one　rifle　in　the　fight　and　was　break　his　head。　He　was　say　he　wants　sunthing　for　you　was　break　his　head。　He　says　hurt。〃

〃How　much　does　he　want？〃　asked　Coleman；　im…　patiently。

The　dragoman　wrestled　then　evidently　with　a　desire　to　protect　this　mine　from　outside　fingers。　〃I…I　think　two　gold　piece　plenty。〃　〃Take　them；〃　said　Coleman。　It　seemed　to　him　preposterous　that　this　idiot　with　a　broken　head　should　interpolate　upon　his　tragedy。　〃　Afterward　you　and　the　groom　get　the　three　horses　and　we　will　start　for　Athens　at　once。〃

〃For　Athens？　At　once？　〃　said　Marjory's　voice　in　his　ear。







CHAPTER　XXIII

〃Om；〃　said　Coleman；　〃　I　was　thinking　of　starting。〃

〃Why？　〃　asked　Marjory；　unconcernedly。

Coleman　shot　her　a　quick　glance。　〃　I　believe　my　period　of　usefulness　is　quite　ended；〃　he　said。　with　just　a　small　betrayal　of　bitter　feeling。

〃　It　is　certainly　true　that　you　have　had　a　remark…　able　period　of　usefulness　to　us；〃　said　Marjory　with　a　slow　smile；　〃but　if　it　is　ended；　you　should　not　run　away　from　us。〃

Coleman　looked　at　her　to　see　what　she　could　mean。　From　many　women；　these　words　would　have　been　equal；　under　the　circumstances；　to　a　command　to　stay；　but　he　felt　that　none　might　know　what　impulses　moved　the　mind　behind　that　beautiful　mask。　In　his　misery　he　thought　to　hurt　her　into　an　expression　of　feeling　by　a　rough　speech。　〃　I'm　so　in　love　with　Nora　Black；　you　know；　that　I　have　to　be　very　careful　of　myself。〃

〃　Oh；〃　said　Marjory；　never　thought　of　that。　I　should　think　you　would　have　to　be　careful　of　yourself。〃　　She　did　not　seem　moved　in　any　way。　Coleman　despaired　of　finding　her　weak　spot。　She　was　a'damantine；　　this　girl。　He　searched　his　mind　for　something　to　say　which　would　be　still　more　gross　than　his　last　outbreak；　but　when　he　felt　that　he　was　about　to　hit　upon　it；　the　professor　interrupted　with　an　agitated　speech　to　Marjory。　〃You　had　better　go　to　your　mother；　my　child；　and　see　that　you　are　all　ready　to　leave　here　as　soon　as　the　carriages　come　up。〃

〃We　have　absolutely　nothing　to　make　ready；〃　said　Marjory；　laughing。　〃　But　I'll　go　and　see　if　mother　needs　anything　before　we　start　that　I　can　get　for　her。〃　She　went　away　without　bidding　good…bye　to　Coleman。　The　sole　maddening　impression　to　him　was　that　the　matter　of　his　going　had　not　been　of　sufficient　importance　　to　remain　longer　than　a　moment　upon　her　mind。　At　the　same　time　he　decided　that　he　would　go；　irretrievably　go。　

Even　then　the　dragoman　entered　the　room。　〃　We　will　pack　everything　…upon　the　horse？〃

〃　Everything…yes。〃

Peter　Tounley　came　afterward。　〃　You　are　not　going　to　bolt　？　〃

〃　Yes；　I'm　off；〃　answered　Coleman　recovering　him…　self　for　Peter's　benefit。　〃　See　you　in　Athens；　probably。〃

Presently　the　dragoman　announced　the　readiness　of　the　horses。　Coleman　shook　hands　with　the　students　and　the　Professor　amid　cries　of　surprise　and　polite　regret。　〃What？　Going；　oldman？　Really？　What　for　？　Oh；　wait　for　us。　We're　off　in　a　few　minutes。　Sorry　as　the　devil；　old　boy；　to'　see　you　go。〃　He　accepted　their　protestations　with　a　somewhat　sour　face。　He　knew　perfectly　well　that　they　were　thinking　of　his　departure　as　something　that　related　to　Nora　Black。　At　the　last；　he　bowed　to　the　ladies　as　a　collection。　Marjory's　answering　bow　was　affable；　the　bow　of　Mrs。　Wainwright　spoke　a　resentment　for　some…　thing；　and　Nora's　bow　was　triumphant　mockery。　As　he　swung　into　the　saddle　an　idea　struck　him　with　over　　whelming　force。　The　idea　was　that　he　was　a　fool。　He　was　a　colossal　imbecile。　He　touched　the　spur　to　his　horse　and　the　animal　leaped　superbly；　making　the　Greeks　hasten　for　safety　in　all　directions。　He　was　off　；　he　could　no　more　return　to　retract　his　devious　idiocy　than　he　could　make　his　horse　fly　to　Athens。　What　was　done　was　done。　He　could　not　mend　it。　And　he　felt　like　a　man　that　had　broken　his　own　heart；　perversely；　childishly；　stupidly　broken　his　own　heart。　He　was　sure　that　Marjory　was　lost　to　him。　No　man　could　be　degraded　so　publicly　and　resent　it　so　crudely　and　still　retain　a　Marjory。　In　his　abasement　from　his　defeat　at　the　hands　of　Nora　Black　he　had　performed　every　imaginable　block…headish　act　and　had　finally　climaxed　it　all　by　a　departure　which　left　the　tongue　of　Nora　to　speak　unmolested　into　the　ear　of　Marjory。　Nora's　victory　had　been　a　serious　blow　to　his　fortunes；　but　it　had　not　been　so　serious　as　his　own　subsequent　folly。　He　had　generously　muddled　his　own　affairs　until　he　could　read　nothing　out　of　them　but　despair。

He　was　in　the　mood　for　hatred。　He　hated　many　people。　Nora　Black　was　the　principal　item；　but　he　did　not　hesitate　to　detest　the　professor；　Mrs。　Wain…　wright；　Coke　and　all　the　students。　As　for　Marjory；　he　would　revenge　himself　upon　her。　She　had　done　nothing　that　he　defined　clearly　but；　at　any　rate；　he　would　take　revenge　for　it。　As　much　as　was　possible；　he　would　make　her　suffer。　He　would　convince　her　that　he　was　a　tremendous　and　inexorable　person。　But　it　came　upon　his　mind　that　he　was　powerless　in　all　ways。　If　he　hated　many　people　they　probably　would　not　be　even　interested　in　his　emotion　and；　as　for　his　revenge　upon　Marjory；　it　was　beyond　his　strength。　He　was　nothing　but　the　complaining　victim　　of　Nora　Black　and　himself。

He　felt　t