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第11章

the lesson of the master-第11章

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he had met in a like relation。  It was probable enough she would

leave them behind … exchange them for politics or 〃smartness〃 or

mere prolific maternity; as was the custom of scribbling daubing

educated flattered girls in an age of luxury and a society of

leisure。  He noted that the water…colours on the walls of the room

she sat in had mainly the quality of being naives; and reflected

that naivete in art is like a zero in a number:  its importance

depends on the figure it is united with。  Meanwhile; however; he

had fallen in love with her。  Before he went away; at any rate; he

said to her:  〃I thought St。 George was coming to see you to…day;

but he doesn't turn up。〃



For a moment he supposed she was going to cry 〃Comment donc?  Did

you come here only to meet him?〃  But the next he became aware of

how little such a speech would have fallen in with any note of

flirtation he had as yet perceived in her。  She only replied:  〃Ah

yes; but I don't think he'll come。  He recommended me not to expect

him。〃  Then she gaily but all gently added:  〃He said it wasn't

fair to you。  But I think I could manage two。〃



〃So could I;〃 Paul Overt returned; stretching the point a little to

meet her。  In reality his appreciation of the occasion was so

completely an appreciation of the woman before him that another

figure in the scene; even so esteemed a one as St。 George; might

for the hour have appealed to him vainly。  He left the house

wondering what the great man had meant by its not being fair to

him; and; still more than that; whether he had actually stayed away

from the force of that idea。  As he took his course through the

Sunday solitude of Manchester Square; swinging his stick and with a

good deal of emotion fermenting in his soul; it appeared to him he

was living in a world strangely magnanimous。  Miss Fancourt had

told him it was possible she should be away; and that her father

should be; on the following Sunday; but that she had the hope of a

visit from him in the other event。  She promised to let him know

should their absence fail; and then he might act accordingly。

After he had passed into one of the streets that open from the

Square he stopped; without definite intentions; looking sceptically

for a cab。  In a moment he saw a hansom roll through the place from

the other side and come a part of the way toward him。  He was on

the point of hailing the driver when he noticed a 〃fare〃 within;

then he waited; seeing the man prepare to deposit his passenger by

pulling up at one of the houses。  The house was apparently the one

he himself had just quitted; at least he drew that inference as he

recognised Henry St。 George in the person who stepped out of the

hansom。  Paul turned off as quickly as if he had been caught in the

act of spying。  He gave up his cab … he preferred to walk; he would

go nowhere else。  He was glad St。 George hadn't renounced his visit

altogether … that would have been too absurd。  Yes; the world was

magnanimous; and even he himself felt so as; on looking at his

watch; he noted but six o'clock; so that he could mentally

congratulate his successor on having an hour still to sit in Miss

Fancourt's drawing…room。  He himself might use that hour for

another visit; but by the time he reached the Marble Arch the idea

of such a course had become incongruous to him。  He passed beneath

that architectural effort and walked into the Park till he got upon

the spreading grass。  Here he continued to walk; he took his way

across the elastic turf and came out by the Serpentine。  He watched

with a friendly eye the diversions of the London people; he bent a

glance almost encouraging on the young ladies paddling their

sweethearts about the lake and the guardsmen tickling tenderly with

their bearskins the artificial flowers in the Sunday hats of their

partners。  He prolonged his meditative walk; he went into

Kensington Gardens; he sat upon the penny chairs; he looked at the

little sail…boats launched upon the round pond and was glad he had

no engagement to dine。  He repaired for this purpose; very late; to

his club; where he found himself unable to order a repast and told

the waiter to bring whatever there was。  He didn't even observe

what he was served with; and he spent the evening in the library of

the establishment; pretending to read an article in an American

magazine。  He failed to discover what it was about; it appeared in

a dim way to be about Marian Fancourt。



Quite late in the week she wrote to him that she was not to go into

the country … it had only just been settled。  Her father; she

added; would never settle anything; but put it all on her。  She

felt her responsibility … she had to … and since she was forced

this was the way she had decided。  She mentioned no reasons; which

gave our friend all the clearer field for bold conjecture about

them。  In Manchester Square on this second Sunday he esteemed his

fortune less good; for she had three or four other visitors。  But

there were three or four compensations; perhaps the greatest of

which was that; learning how her father had after all; at the last

hour; gone out of town alone; the bold conjecture I just now spoke

of found itself becoming a shade more bold。  And then her presence

was her presence; and the personal red room was there and was full

of it; whatever phantoms passed and vanished; emitting

incomprehensible sounds。  Lastly; he had the resource of staying

till every one had come and gone and of believing this grateful to

her; though she gave no particular sign。  When they were alone

together he came to his point。  〃But St。 George did come … last

Sunday。  I saw him as I looked back。〃



〃Yes; but it was the last time。〃



〃The last time?〃



〃He said he would never come again。〃



Paul Overt stared。  〃Does he mean he wishes to cease to see you?〃



〃I don't know what he means;〃 the girl bravely smiled。  〃He won't

at any rate see me here。〃



〃And pray why not?〃



〃I haven't the least idea;〃 said Marian Fancourt; whose visitor

found her more perversely sublime than ever yet as she professed

this clear helplessness。







CHAPTER V







〃Oh I say; I want you to stop a little;〃 Henry St。 George said to

him at eleven o'clock the night he dined with the head of the

profession。  The company … none of it indeed OF the profession …

had been numerous and was taking its leave; our young man; after

bidding good…night to his hostess; had put out his hand in farewell

to the master of the house。  Besides drawing from the latter the

protest I have cited this movement provoked a further priceless

word about their chance now to have a talk; their going into his

room; his having still everything to say。  Paul Overt was all

delight at this kindness; nevertheless he mentioned in weak jocose

qualification the bare fact that he had promised to go to another

place which was at a considerable distance。



〃Well then you'll break your promise; that's all。  You quite awful

humbug!〃 St。 George added in a tone that confirmed our young man's

ease。



〃Certainly I'll break it … but it was a real promise。〃



〃Do you mean to Miss Fancourt?  You're following her?〃 his friend

asked。



He answered by a question。  〃Oh is SHE going?〃



〃Base impostor!〃 his ironic host went on。  〃I've treated you

handsomely on the article of that young lady:  I won't make another

concession。  Wait three minutes … I'll be with you。〃  He gave

himself to his departing guests; accompanied the long…trained

ladies to the door。  It was a hot night; the windows were open; the

sound of the quick carriages and of the linkmen's call came into

the house。  The affair had rather glittered; a sense of festal

things was in the heavy air:  not only the influence of that

particular entertainment; but the suggestion of the wide hurry of

pleasure which in London on summer nights fills so many of the

happier quarters of the complicated town。  

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