hr.thecarpetbaggers-第47章

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　Jacques　looked　at　her；　then　at　the　Indian。　He　stepped　forward　quickly；　his　hand　outstretched。　〃If　he　is　your　friend；〃　he　said；　〃then　he　is　my　friend；　also。〃
　The　Indian's　white　teeth　flashed　in　a　smile　as　their　hands　met　in　a　warm　clasp。　From　that　time　until　now；　the　three　of　them　had　dinner　together　at　least　once　a　week。
　
　Jacques　turned　the　key　in　the　door。　He　stepped　aside　to　let　Rina　enter；　then　followed　her　into　the　bedroom。　As　soon　as　she　entered；　she　kicked　off　her　shoes。　She　sat　down　on　the　edge　of　the　bed；　rubbing　her　feet。　〃Ah；　that　feels　good。〃
　He　knelt　in　front　of　her　and　massaged　her　foot。　He　smiled　up　at　her。　〃You　were　very　beautiful　tonight。〃
　She　looked　at　him　mischievously。　〃Monsieur　le　Ministre　thought　so；〃　she　teased。　〃He　said　if　I　should　ever　consider　another　liaison；　to　keep　him　in　mind。〃
　〃The　old　lecher！〃　Jacques　swore。　〃He　must　be　all　of　eighty　years　old　…　and　at　the　Opera；　too！〃
　She　got　up　from　the　bed　and　took　her　dress　off；　then　seated　herself；　yoga　fashion；　on　the　floor。　Her　legs　were　crossed　under　her；　her　arms　formed　a　square　in　front　of　her　chest。
　〃What　are　you　doing？〃　he　asked　in　surprise。
　〃Preparing　for　meditation；〃　she　answered。　〃Amru　Singh　says　that　five　minutes'　meditation　before　going　to　sleep　relieves　the　mind　and　the　body　of　all　its　tensions。〃
　He　removed　the　studs　from　his　shirt　and　placed　them　on　the　dresser。　He　watched　her　in　the　mirror。　〃It　would　be　very　easy　for　me　to　bee　jealous　of　Amru　Singh。〃
　〃That　would　make　me　very　unhappy；〃　she　said　seriously。　〃For　then　I　would　have　to　stop　seeing　Amru。〃
　〃You　would　do　that　for　me？〃
　〃Of　course；〃　she　said。　〃I　love　you。　He　is　only　my　friend；　my　teacher。〃
　〃He　is　my　friend；　too；〃　he　said；　as　seriously。　〃I　would　be　very　unhappy　if　you　let　a　jesting　remark　disturb　that　relationship。〃
　She　smiled。　He　smiled　back　at　her　and　turned　back　to　the　dresser。　He　began　to　take　off　his　shirt。　〃And　what　have　you　learned　from　our　friend　today？〃
　〃There　is　a　good　possibility　that　I　may　soon　be　free　of　the　death　wish　that　has　governed　many　of　my　actions　since　I　was　a　child；〃　she　answered。
　〃Good；〃　Jacques　said。　〃And　how　is　this　to　e　about？〃
　〃He　is　teaching　me　the　yoga　exercises　for　childbearing。　It　will　give　me　control　over　my　entire　body。〃
　〃I　don't　see　how　that　will　help。　The　exercises　are　important　only　when　having　a　child。〃
　〃I　know；〃　she　said。
　Something　in　her　voice　made　him　look　at　her　in　the　mirror。　Her　face　was　impassive　as　she　held　the　position　of　meditation。　〃What　brought　that　subject　up？〃　he　asked。
　Her　eyes　flicked　up　at　him。　〃You；〃　she　said。　〃Doctor　Fornay　says　that　you　have　made　me　enceinte。〃
　Suddenly；　he　was　on　the　floor　beside　her；　holding　her　in　his　arms　and　kissing　her；　talking　of　divorcing　his　wife　so　that　the　child　would　be　born　at　the　family　villa　in　the　south　of　France。
　She　placed　a　finger　on　his　lips。　It　seemed　to　him　as　if　she　had　suddenly　bee　older　than　he。　〃e；　now；〃　she　said　gently。　〃You　are　acting　like　an　American；　with　stupid；　provincial　ideas。　We　both　know　that　a　divorce　would　ruin　your　career；　so　speak　no　more　about　it。　I　will　have　the　child　and　we　will　go　on　as　we　are。〃
　〃But　what　if　your　father　finds　out？〃
　She　smiled。　〃There　is　no　need　for　him　to　know。　When　I　go　home　for　a　visit；　I　will　merely　say　I　made　an　unfortunate　marriage　and　no　one　will　be　the　wiser。〃
　She　laughed　and　pushed　him　toward　the　bathroom。　〃Now　go。　Take　your　bath。　You　have　had　enough　excitement　for　one　day。　Did　you　get　the　Boston　papers　for　me？〃
　〃They're　in　my　brief　case。〃
　He　sank　into　the　tub。　The　water　was　warm　and　relaxing　and　gradually　he　could　feel　the　excited　tempo　of　his　heart　return　to　something　that　approximated　normal。　Slowly　and　with　a　feeling　of　great　strength　and　luxury；　he　began　to　lather　himself。
　He　came　out　of　the　bathroom；　tying　his　robe。　Rina　wasn't　in　the　bedroom　and　he　walked　through　into　the　living　room。　Something　in　the　way　she　was　sitting　at　the　table；　staring　down　at　the　newspaper；　sent　a　frightened　chill　racing　through　his　body。　〃Rina！〃
　She　turned　toward　him。　Slowly　her　eyes　lifted。　He　had　never　seen　such　depths　of　torture　in　his　life。　It　was　as　if　she　had　lost　all　hope　of　redemption。　〃I　can't　have　the　baby；　Jacques；〃　she　whispered　in　an　empty　voice。
　His　voice　grated　in　his　throat。　〃What？〃
　The　tears　were　beginning　to　well　into　her　eyes。　〃I　must　go　home；〃　she　whispered。
　〃Why？〃　he　cried；　the　hurt　already　beginning。
　She　gestured　to　the　paper；　and　he　walked　over　and　looked　down　over　her　shoulder。
　A　banner　headline　streamed　across　the　entire　page：
　HARRISON　MARLOWE　INDICTED
　FIFTH…GENERATION　BOSTON　BANKER
　CRIMINALLY　IMPLICATED　IN　FAILURE
　OF　FAMILY　BANK
　Below　was　a　three…column　picture　of　Harrison　Marlowe。
　He　caught　her　shoulders。　〃Oh；　my　darling！〃　he　said。
　He　could　barely　hear　her　whispered；　〃And　I　wanted　this　baby　so。〃
　He　knew　better　than　to　argue　with　her。　One　thing　he　understood　as　a　Frenchman　…　filial　duty。　〃We'll　have　another　baby；〃　he　said。　〃When　this　is　over；　you'll　return　to　France。〃
　He　could　feel　her　move　within　the　circle　of　his　arms。　〃No；〃　she　cried；　〃Doctor　Fornay　told　me　there　will　never　be　another　child！〃
　
　13
　
　THE　LARGE　OVERHEAD　FAN　DRONED　ON　AND　THE　AUGUST　HEAT　LAY　HEAVY　AND　HUMID　IN　THE　GOVERNOR'S　OFFICE。　The　slightly　built；　nervous　male　secretary　showed　Rina　to　a　chair　in　front　of　the　massive　desk。
　She　sat　down　and　watched　the　young　man；　standing　nervously　next　to　the　Governor；　pick　up　sheet　after　sheet　of　paper　as　the　Governor　signed　each　one。　At　last　he　was　finished　and　the　secretary　picked　up　the　last　sheet　of　paper　and　hurried　out；　closing　the　door　behind　him。
　She　looked　at　the　Governor　as　he　reached　across　the　desk　and　took　a　cigar　from　a　humidor。　For　a　moment；　she　caught　a　glimpse　of　piercing　dark　eyes；　set　deep　in　a　handsome　face。　His　voice　was　slightly　husky。　〃Do　you　mind　if　I　smoke；　Miss　Marlowe？〃
　She　shook　her　head。
　He　smiled；　taking　a　small　knife　and　carefully　trimming　the　end　of　the　cigar。　He　placed　it　in　his　mouth　and　struck　a　match。　The　flame　burned　brightly　yellow；　large　and　small；　with　his　breath　as　he　drew　on　the　cigar。　She　was　conscious　of　the　faintly　pleasant　smell　of　Havana　leaf　as　he　dropped　the　match　into　an　ash　tray。
　He　smiled　again。　〃One　of　the　few　pleasures　my　physician　still　allows　me；〃　he　said。　He　had　a　simple　yet　extraordinary　clear　voice　that　easily　filled　the　room；　though　he　spoke　quietly；　like　an　actor　trained　to　have　his　whispers　heard　in　the　far　reaches　of　the　second　balcony。　He　leaned　across　the　desk；　his　voice　lowering　to　a　confidential　whisper。　〃You　know；　I　expect　to　live　to　be　a　hundred　and　twenty…five　and　even　my　physician　thinks　I　might　make　it　if　I　cut　down　on　my　smoking。〃
　She　felt　the　convincing　warmth　and　intensity　flow　toward　her　and　for　the　moment；　she　believed　it；　too。　〃I'm　sure　you　will；　Governor。〃
　He　leaned　back　in　his　chair；　a　faintly　pleased　look　on　his　face。　〃Just　between　us；　I　don't　really　care　whether　I　live　that　long　or　not；〃　he　said。　〃It's　just　that　when　I　die；　I　don't　want　to　leave　any　enemies；　and　I　figure　the　only　way　I'll　ever　do　that　is　to　outlive　them　all。〃
　He　laughed　and　she　joined　him；　for　the　moment　forgetting　her　reason　for　being　there。　There　was　something　incredibly　young　and　vital　about　him　that　belied　the　already　liberal　sprinkling　of　gray　in　his　thick；　lustrous　black　hair。
　He　looked　across　the　massive　desk　at　her；　feeling　once　again　the　rushing　of　time　against　him。　He　drew　on　his　cigar　and　let　the　smoke　out　slowly。　He　liked　what　he　saw。　None　of　this　modern　nonsense　about　dieting　and　boyish　bobs　for　her。　Her　hair　fell　long　and　full　to　her　shoulders。
　He　looked　up　and　suddenly　met　her　eyes。　Almost　instantly；　he　knew　that　she　had　been　aware　that　he　was　studying　her。　He　smiled　without　embarrassment。　〃You　were　a　child　when　I　approved　your　adoption　papers。〃
　Her　words　put　him　at　ease。　〃My　mother　and　father　often　told　me　how　kind　you　were　and　how　you　made　it　possible　for　them　to　adopt　me。〃
　He　nodded　slowly。　It　was　smart　of　them　to　tell　her　the　truth。　Sooner　or　later；　she'd　have　found　out；　anyway。　〃You're　eighteen　now？〃
　〃Nineteen　next　month；〃　she　said　quickly。
　〃You've　grown　a　little　since　I　saw　you。〃　Then　his　face　turned　serious　as　he　placed　the　cigar　carefully　in　the　ash　tray。　〃I　know　why　you've　e　to　see　me；〃　he　said　in　his　resonant　voice。　〃And　I'd　like　to　express　my　sympathy　for　the　predicament　your　father　is　in。〃
　〃Have　you　studied　the　charges　that　are　being　made　against　him？〃　Rina　asked　quickly。
　〃I've　looked　over　the　papers；〃　he　admitted。
　〃Do　you　think　he's　guilty？〃
　The　Governor　looked　at　her。　〃Banking　is　like　politics；〃　he　said。　〃There　are　many　things　which　are　morally　right　and　legally　wrong。　That　they　may　be　one　and　the　same　thing　doesn't　matter。　Judgment　is　rendered　only　on　the　end　result。〃
　〃You　mean；〃　she　said　quickly；　〃the　trick　is　…　not　to　get　caught！〃
　He　felt　a　glow　of　satisfaction。　He　liked　quick；　bright　people；　he　liked　the　free　exchange　of　ideas　that　came　from　them。　Too　bad　that　politics　attracted　so　few　of　that　kind。　〃I　wouldn't　be　cynical；〃　he　said　quietly。　〃It　isn't　as　simple　as　that。　The　law　is　not　an　inflexible　thing。　It　is　alive　and　reflects　the　hopes　and　desires　of　the　people。　That's　why　laws　are　so　often　changed　or　amended。　In　the　long　run；　we　trust　that　eventually　the　legal　and　the　moral　will　e　together　like　parallel　lines　which　meet　in　infinity。〃
　〃Infinity　is　a　long　time　for　a　man　my　father's　age　to　wait；〃　she　said。　〃No　one　has　that　much　time。　Not　even　you　if　you　live　to　the　hundred　and　twenty…five。〃
　〃Unfortunately；　decision　will　always　remain　the　greatest　hazard　of　leadership；〃　he　answered。　〃Your　father　assumed　that　hazard　when　he　authorized　those　loans。　He　justified　it　to　himself　because　without　them；　certain　mills　might　be　forced　to　close；　throwing　many　people　out　of　work；　and　causing　others　to　lose　their　investment　or　principal　means　of　support。　So　your　father　was　pletely　right　morally　in　what　he　did。
　〃But　legally；　it's　another　story。　A　bank's　principal　obligation　is　to　its　depositors。　The　law　takes　this　into　account　and　the　state　has　rules　governing　such　loans。　Under　the　law；　your　father　should　never　have　made　those　loans　because　they　were　inadequately　collateralized。　Of　course；　if　the　mills　hadn't　closed　and　the　loans　had　been　repaid；　he'd　have　been　called　a　public　benefactor；　a　farseeing　businessman。　But　the　opposite　happened　and　now　these　same　people　who　might　have　praised　him　are　screaming　for　his　head。〃
　〃Doesn't　it　make　any　difference　that　he　lost　his　entire　fortune　trying　to　save　the　bank？〃　Rina　asked。
　The　Governor　shook　his　head。　〃Unfortunately；　no。〃
　〃Then；　is　there　nothing　you　can　do　for　him？〃　she　asked　desperately。
　〃A　good　politician　doesn't　go　against　the　tide　of　public　opinion；〃　he　said　slowly。　〃And　right　now　the　public　is　yelling　for　a　scapegoat。　If　your　father　puts　up　a　defense；　he'll　lose　and　get　ten　to　fifteen　years。　In　that　case；　I'd　be　long　out　of　office　before　he　was　eligible　for　parole。〃
　He　picked　up　the　cigar　from　the　ash　tray　and　rolled　it　gently　between　his　strong　white　fingers。　〃If　you　could　convince　your　father　to　plead　guilty　and　waive　jury　trial；　I'll　arrange　for　a　judge　to　give　him　one　to　three　years。　In　fifteen　months；　I'll　g