a simpleton-第8章

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pleasing　them。　　They　admired　his　face；　to　me；　the　short　space
between　his　eyes　and　his　hair；　his　aquiline　nose；　and　thin　straight
lips；　suggested　the　bird　of　prey　a　little　too　much：　but　to　fair
doves；　born　to　be　clutched；　this　similitude　perhaps　was　not　very
alarming；　even　if　they　observed　it。

Rosa　danced　several　times　with　him；　and　told　him　he　danced　like　an
angel。　　He　informed　her　that　was　because；　for　once；　he　was　dancing
with　an　angel。　　She　laughed　and　blushed。　　He　flattered　deliciously；
and　it　cost　him　little；　for　he　fell　in　love　with　her　that　night；
deeper　than　he　had　ever　been　in　his　whole　life　of　intrigue。　　He
asked　leave　to　call　on　her：　she　looked　a　little　shy　at　that；　and
did　not　respond。　　He　instantly　withdrew　his　proposal；　with　an
apology　and　a　sigh　that　raised　her　pity。　　However；　she　was　not　a
forward　girl；　even　when　excited　by　dancing　and　charmed　with　her
partner；　so　she　left　him　to　find　his　own　way　out　of　that
difficulty。

He　was　not　long　about　it。　　At　the　end　of　the　next　waltz　he　asked
her　if　he　might　venture　to　solicit　an　introduction　to　her　father。

〃Oh；　certainly；〃　said　she。　　〃What　a　selfish　girl　I　am！　this　is
terribly　dull　for　him。〃

The　introduction　being　made；　and　Rosa　being　engaged　for　the　next
three　dances；　Mr。　Falcon　sat　by　Mr。　Lusignan　and　entertained　him。
For　this　little　piece　of　apparent　self…denial　he　was　paid　in
various　coin：　Lusignan　found　out　he　was　the　son　of　an　old
acquaintance；　and　so　the　door　of　Kent　Villa　opened　to　him；
meantime；　Rosa　Lusignan　never　passed　him；　even　in　the　arms　of　a
cavalry　officer；　without　bestowing　a　glance　of　approval　and
gratitude　on　him。　　〃What　a　good…hearted　young　man！〃　thought　she。
〃How　kind　of　him　to　amuse　papa；　and　now　I　can　stay　so　much　longer。〃

Falcon　followed　up　the　dance　by　a　call；　and　was　infinitely
agreeable：　followed　up　the　call　by　another；　and　admired　Rosa　with
so　little　disguise　that　Mr。　Lusignan　said　to　her；　〃I　think　you　have
made　a　conquest。　　His　father　had　considerable　estates　in　Essex。　　I
presume　he　inherits　them。〃

〃Oh；　never　mind　his　estates；〃　said　Rosa；　〃he　dances　like　an　angel；
and　gossips　charmingly；　and　IS　so　nice。〃

Christopher　Staines　pined　for　this　girl　in　silence：　his　fine　frame
got　thinner；　his　pale　cheek　paler；　as　she　got　rosier　and　rosier；
and　how？　　Why；　by　following　the　very　advice　she　had　snubbed　him　for
giving　her。　　At　last；　he　heard　she　had　been　the　belle　of　a　ball；
and　that　she　had　been　seen　walking　miles　from　home；　and　blooming　as
a　Hebe。　　Then　his　deep　anxiety　ceased；　his　pride　stung　him
furiously；　he　began　to　think　of　his　own　value；　and　to　struggle　with
all　his　might　against　his　deep　love。　　Sometimes　he　would　even
inveigh　against　her；　and　call　her　a　fickle；　ungrateful　girl；
capable　of　no　strong　passion　but　vanity。　　Many　a　hard　term　he
applied　to　her　in　his　sorrowful　solitude；　but　not　a　word　when　he
had　a　hearer。　　He　found　it　hard　to　rest：　he　kept　dashing　up　to
London　and　back。　　He　plunged　furiously　into　study。　　He　groaned　and
sighed；　and　fought　the　hard　and　bitter　fight　that　is　too　often　the
lot　of　the　deep　that　love　the　shallow。　　Strong；　but　single…hearted；
no　other　lady　could　comfort　him。　　He　turned　from　female　company；
and　shunned　all　for　the　fault　of　one。

The　inward　contest　wore　him。　　He　began　to　look　very　thin　and　wan；
and　all　for　a　Simpleton！

Mr。　Falcon　prolonged　his　stay　in　the　neighborhood；　and　drove　a
handsome　dogcart　over　twice　a　week　to　visit　Mr。　Lusignan。

He　used　to　call　on　that　gentleman　at　four　o'clock；　for　at　that　hour
Mr。　Lusignan　was　always　out；　and　his　daughter　always　at　home。

She　was　at　home　at　that　hour　because　she　took　her　long　walks　in　the
morning。　　While　her　new　admirer　was　in　bed；　or　dressing；　or
breakfasting；　she　was　springing　along　the　road　with　all　the
elasticity　of　youth；　and　health；　and　native　vigor；　braced　by　daily
exercise。

Twenty…one　of　these　walks　did　she　take；　with　no　other　result　than
health　and　appetite；　but　the　twenty…second　was　more　fertile
extremely　fertile。　　Starting　later　than　usual；　she　passed　through
Gravesend　while　Reginald　Falcon　was　smoking　at　his　front　window。
He　saw　her；　and　instantly　doffed　his　dressing…gown　and　donned　his
coat　to　follow　her。　　He　was　madly　in　love　with　her；　and　being　a　man
who　had　learned　to　shoot　pigeons　and　opportunities　flying；　he
instantly　resolved　to　join　her　in　her　walk；　get　her　clear　of　the
town；　by　the　sea…beach；　where　beauty　melts；　and　propose　to　her。
Yes；　marriage　had　not　been　hitherto　his　habit；　but　this　girl　was
peerless：　he　was　pledged　by　honor　and　gratitude　to　Phoebe　Dale；　but
hang　all　that　now。　　〃No　man　should　marry　one　woman　when　he　loves
another；　it　is　dishonorable。〃　　He　got　into　the　street　and　followed
her　as　fast　as　he　could　without　running。

It　was　not　so　easy　to　catch　her。　　Ladies　are　not　built　for　running；
but　a　fine；　tall；　symmetrical　girl　who　has　practised　walking　fast
can　cover　the　ground　wonderfully　in　walkingif　she　chooses。　　It
was　a　sight　to　see　how　Rosa　Lusignan　squared　her　shoulders　and
stepped　out　from　the　waist　like　a　Canadian　girl　skating；　while　her
elastic　foot　slapped　the　pavement　as　she　spanked　along。

She　had　nearly　cleared　the　town　before　Falcon　came　up　with　her。

He　was　hardly　ten　yards　from　her　when　an　unexpected　incident
occurred。　　She　whisked　round　the　corner　of　Bird　Street；　and　ran
plump　against　Christopher　Staines；　in　fact；　she　darted　into　his
arms；　and　her　face　almost　touched　the　breast　she　had　wounded　so
deeply。


CHAPTER　IV。


Rosa　cried　〃Oh！〃　and　put　up　her　hands　to　her　face　in　lovely
confusion；　coloring　like　a　peony。

〃I　beg　your　pardon；〃　said　Christopher；　stiffly；　but　in　a　voice　that
trembled。

〃No；〃　said　Rosa；　〃it　was　I　ran　against　you。　　I　walk　so　fast　now。
Hope　I　did　not　hurt　you。〃

〃Hurt　me？〃

〃Well；　then；　frighten　you？〃

No　answer。

〃Oh；　please　don't　quarrel　with　me　in　the　STREET；〃　said　Rosa；
cunningly　implying　that　he　was　the　quarrelsome　one。　　〃I　am　going　on
the　beach。　　Good…by！〃　　This　adieu　she　uttered　softly；　and　in　a
hesitating　tone　that　belied　it。　　She　started　off；　however；　but　much
more　slowly　than　she　was　going　before；　and；　as　she　went；　she　turned
her　head　with　infinite　grace；　and　kept　looking　askant　down　at　the
pavement　two　yards　behind　her：　moreover　she　went　close　to　the　wall；
and　left　room　at　her　side　for　another　to　walk。

Christopher　hesitated　a　moment；　but　the　mute　invitation；　so　arch
yet　timid；　so　pretty；　tender；　sly；　and　womanly；　was　too　much　for
him；　as　it　has　generally　proved　for　males；　and　the　philosopher's
foot　was　soon　in　the　very　place　to　which　the　Simpleton　with　the
mere　tail　of　her　eye　directed　it。

They　walked　along；　side　by　side；　in　silence；　Staines　agitated；
gloomy；　confused；　Rosa　radiant　and　glowing；　yet　not　knowing　what　to
say　for　herself；　and　wanting　Christopher　to　begin。　　So　they　walked
along　without　a　word。

Falcon　followed　them　at　some　distance　to　see　whether　it　was　an
admirer　or　only　an　acquaintance。　　A　lover　he　never　dreamed　of；　she
had　shown　such　evident　pleasure　in　his　company；　and　had　received
his　visits　alone　so　constantly。

However；　when　the　pair　had　got　to　the　beach；　and　were　walking
slower　and　slower；　he　felt　a　pang　of　rage　and　jealousy；　turned　on
his　heel　with　an　audible　curse；　and　found　Phoebe　Dale　a　few　yards
behind　him　with　a　white　face　and　a　peculiar　look。　　He　knew　what　the
look　meant；　he　had　brought　it　to　that　faithful　face　before　to…day。


〃You　are　better；　Miss　Lusignan。〃

〃Better；　Dr。　Staines？　　I　am　health　itself　thanks　tohem！〃

〃Our　estrangement　has　agreed　with　you？〃　　This　very　bitterly。

〃You　know　very　well　it　is　not　that。　　Oh；　please　don't　make　me　cry
in　the　streets。〃

This　humble　petition；　or　rather　meek　threat；　led　to　another　long
silence。　　It　was　continued　till　they　had　nearly　reached　the　shore。
But；　meantime；　Rosa's　furtive　eyes　scanned　Christopher's　face；　and
her　conscience　smote　her　at　the　signs　of　suffering。　　She　felt　a
desire　to　beg　his　pardon　with　deep　humility；　but　she　suppressed
that　weakness。　　She　hung　her　head　with　a　pretty；　sheepish　air；　and
asked　him　if　he　could　not　think　of　something　agreeable　to　say　to
one　after　deserting　one　so　long。

〃I　am　afraid　not；〃　said　Christopher；　bluntly。　　〃I　have　an　awkward
habit　of　speaking　the　truth；　and　some　people　can't　bear　that；　not
even　when　it　is　spoken　for　their　good。〃

〃That　depends　on　temper；　and　nerves；　and　things；〃　said　Rosa；
deprecatingly；　then　softly；　〃I　could　bear　anything　from　you　now。〃

〃Indeed！〃　said　Christopher；　grimly。　　〃Well；　then；　I　hear　you　had　no
sooner　got　rid　of　your　old　lover；　for　loving　you　too　well　and
telling　you　the　truth；　than　you　took　up　another；some　flimsy　man
of　fashion；　who　will　tell　you　any　lie　you　like。〃

〃It　is　a　story；　a　wicked　story；〃　cried　Rosa；　thoroughly　alarmed。
〃Me；　a　lover！　　He　dances　like　an　angel；　I　can't　help　that。〃

〃Are　his　visits　at　your　house　like　angels'few　and　far　between？〃
And　the　true　lover's　brow　lowered　black　upon　her　for　the　first
time。

Rosa　changed　color；　and　her　eyes　fell　a　moment。　　〃Ask　papa；〃　she
said。　　〃His　father　was　an　old　friend　of　papa's。〃

〃Rosa；　you　are　prevaricating。　　Young　men　do　not　call　on　old
gentlemen　when　there　is　an　attractive　young　lady　in　the　house。〃

The　argument　was　getting　too　close；　so　Rosa　operated　a　diversion。
〃So；〃　said　she；　with　a　sudden　air　of　lofty　disdain；　swiftly　and
adroitly　assumed；　〃you　have　had　me　watched？〃

〃Not　I；　I　only　hear　what　people　say。〃

〃Listen　to　gossip　and　not　have　me　watched！　　That　shows　how　little
you　really　cared　for　me。　　Well；　if　you　had；　you　would　have　made　a
little　discovery；　that　is　all。〃

〃Should　I？〃　said　Christopher；　puzzled。　　〃What？〃

〃I　shall　not　tell　you。　　Think　what　you　please。　　Yes；　sir；　you　would
have　found　out　that　I　take　long　walks　every　day；　all　alone；　and
what　is　more；　that　I　walk　through　Gravesend；　hopinglike　a　goose
that　somebody　really　loved　me；　and　would　meet　me；　and　beg　my
pardon；　and　if　he　had；　I　should　have　told　him　it　was　only　my
tongue；　and　my　nerves；　and　things；　my　heart　was　his；　and　my
gratitude。　　And　after　all；　what　do　words　signify；　when　I　am　a　good；
obedient　girl　at　bottom？　　So　that　is　what　you　have　lost　by　not
condescending　to　look　after　me。　　Fine　love！Christopher；　beg　my
pardon。〃

〃May　I　inquire　for　what？〃

〃Why；　for　not　understanding　me；　for　not　knowing　that　I　should　be
sorry　the　moment　you　were　gone。　　I　took　them　off　the　very　next　day；
to　please　you。〃

〃Took　off　whom？Oh；　I　understand。　　You　did？　　Then　you　ARE　a　good
girl。〃

〃Didn't　I　tell　you　I　was？　　A　good；　obedient　girl；　and　anything　but
a　flirt。〃

〃I　don't　say　that。〃

〃But　I　do。　　Don't　interrupt。　　It　is　to　your　good　advice　I　owe　my
health；　and　to　love　anybody　but　you；　when　I　owe　you　my　love　and　my
life；　I　must　be　a　heartless；　ungrateful；　worthless　　Oh；
Christopher；　forgive　me！　　No；　no；　I　mean；　beg　my　pardon。〃

〃I'll　do　both；〃　said　Christopher；　taking　her　in　his　arms。　　〃I　beg
your　pardon；　and　I　forgive　you。〃

Rosa　leaned　her　head　tenderly　on　his　shoulder；　and　began　to　sigh。
〃Oh；　dear；　dear！　I　am　a　wicked；　foolish　girl；　not　fit　to　walk
alone。〃

On　this　admission；　Christopher　spoke　out；　and　urged　her　to　put　an
end　to　all　these　unhappy　misunderstandings；　and　to　his　new　torment；
jealousy；　by　ma