the dark flower-第31章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


which　he　had　lured　them　with　such　difficulty；　and　made　for　the
studio　door。　　There　in　the　street　was　Nell　Dromore；　mounted　on　a
narrow　little　black　horse　with　a　white　star；　a　white　hoof；　and
devilish　little　goat's　ears；　pricked；　and　very　close　together　at
the　tips。

〃Dad　said　I　had　better　ride　round　and　show　you　Magpie。　　He's　not
very　good　at　standing　still。　　Are　those　your　dogs？　　What　darlings！〃

She　had　slipped　her　knee　already　from　the　pummel；　and　slid　down；
the　sheep…dogs　were　instantly　on　their　hind…feet；　propping
themselves　against　her　waist。　　Lennan　held　the　black　horsea
bizarre　little　beast；　all　fire　and　whipcord；　with　a　skin　like
satin；　liquid　eyes；　very　straight　hocks；　and　a　thin　bang…tail
reaching　down　to　them。　　The　little　creature　had　none　of　those
commonplace　good　looks　so　discouraging　to　artists。

He　had　forgotten　its　rider；　till　she　looked　up　from　the　dogs；　and
said：　〃Do　you　like　him？　　It　IS　nice　of　you　to　be　going　to　do　us。〃

When　she　had　ridden　away；　looking　back　until　she　turned　the　corner；
he　tried　to　lure　the　two　dogs　once　more　to　their　pose。　　But　they
would　sit　no　more；　going　continually　to　the　door；　listening　and
sniffing；　and　everything　felt　disturbed　and　out　of　gear。

That　same　afternoon　at　Sylvia's　suggestion　he　went　with　her　to　call
on　the　Dromores。

While　they　were　being　ushered　in　he　heard　a　man's　voice　rather
high…pitched　speaking　in　some　language　not　his　own；　then　the　girl：

〃No；　no；　Oliver。　　'Dans　l'amour　il　y　a　toujours　un　qui　aime；　et
l'autre　qui　se　laisse　aimer。'〃

She　was　sitting　in　her　father's　chair；　and　on　the　window…sill　they
saw　a　young　man　lolling；　who　rose　and　stood　stock…still；　with　an
almost　insolent　expression　on　his　broad；　good…looking　face。　　Lennan
scrutinized　him　with　interestabout　twenty…four　he　might　be；
rather　dandified；　clean…shaved；　with　crisp　dark　hair　and　wide…set
hazel　eyes；　and；　as　in　his　photograph；　a　curious　look　of　daring。
His　voice；　when　he　vouchsafed　a　greeting；　was　rather　high　and　not
unpleasant；　with　a　touch　of　lazy　drawl。

They　stayed　but　a　few　minutes；　and　going　down　those　dimly　lighted
stairs　again；　Sylvia　remarked：

〃How　prettily　she　said　good…byeas　if　she　were　putting　up　her　face
to　be　kissed！　　I　think　she's　lovely。　　So　does　that　young　man。　　They
go　well　together。〃

Rather　abruptly　Lennan　answered：

〃Ah！　　I　suppose　they　do。〃


VI


She　came　to　them　often　after　that；　sometimes　alone；　twice　with
Johnny　Dromore；　sometimes　with　young　Oliver；　who；　under　Sylvia's
spell；　soon　lost　his　stand…off　air。　　And　the　statuette　was　begun。
Then　came　Spring　in　earnest；　and　that　real　business　of　lifethe
racing　of　horses　'on　the　flat；'　when　Johnny　Dromore's　genius　was　no
longer　hampered　by　the　illegitimate　risks　of　'jumpin'。'　　He　came　to
dine　with　them　the　day　before　the　first　Newmarket　meeting。　　He　had
a　soft　spot　for　Sylvia；　always　saying　to　Lennan　as　he　went　away：
〃Charmin'　womanyour　wife！〃　　She；　too；　had　a　soft　spot　for　him；
having　fathomed　the　utter　helplessness　of　this　worldling's　wisdom；
and　thinking　him　pathetic。

After　he　was　gone　that　evening；　she　said：

〃Ought　we　to　have　Nell　to　stay　with　us　while　you're　finishing　her？
She　must　be　very　lonely　now　her　father's　so　much　away。〃

It　was　like　Sylvia　to　think　of　that；　but　would　it　be　pleasure　or
vexation　to　have　in　the　house　this　child　with　her　quaint　grown…
upness；　her　confiding　ways；　and　those　'Perdita'　eyes？　　In　truth　he
did　not　know。

She　came　to　them　with　touching　alacrityvery　like　a　dog；　who；　left
at　home　when　the　family　goes　for　a　holiday；　takes　at　once　to　those
who　make　much　of　it。

And　she　was　no　trouble；　too　well　accustomed　to　amuse　herself；　and
always　quaint　to　watch；　with　her　continual　changes　from　child　to
woman　of　the　world。　　A　new　sensation；　thisof　a　young　creature　in
the　house。　　Both　he　and　Sylvia　had　wanted　children；　without　luck。
Twice　illness　had　stood　in　the　way。　　Was　it；　perhaps；　just　that
little　lack　in　herthat　lack　of　poignancy；　which　had　prevented　her
from　becoming　a　mother？　　An　only　child　herself；　she　had　no　nieces
or　nephews；　Cicely's　boys　had　always　been　at　school；　and　now　were
out　in　the　world。　　Yes；　a　new　sensation；　and　one　in　which　Lennan's
restless　feelings　seemed　to　merge　and　vanish。

Outside　the　hours　when　Nell　sat　to　him；　he　purposely　saw　but　little
of　her；　leaving　her　to　nestle　under　Sylvia's　wing；　and　this　she
did；　as　if　she　never　wanted　to　come　out。　　Thus　he　preserved　his
amusement　at　her　quaint　warmths；　and　quainter　calmness；　his
aesthetic　pleasure　in　watching　her；　whose　strange；　half…hypnotized；
half…hypnotic　gaze；　had　a　sort　of　dreamy　and　pathetic　lovingness；
as　if　she　were　brimful　of　affections　that　had　no　outlet。

Every　morning　after　'sitting'　she　would　stay　an　hour　bent　over　her
own　drawing；　which　made　practically　no　progress；　and　he　would　often
catch　her　following　his　movements　with　those　great　eyes　of　hers；
while　the　sheep…dogs　would　lie　perfectly　still　at　her　feet；
blinking　horriblysuch　was　her　attraction。　　His　birds　also；　a
jackdaw　and　an　owl；　who　had　the　run　of　the　studio；　tolerated　her　as
they　tolerated　no　other　female；　save　the　housekeeper。　　The　jackdaw
would　perch　on　her　and　peck　her　dress；　but　the　owl　merely　engaged
her　in　combats　of　mesmeric　gazing；　which　never　ended　in　victory　for
either。

Now　that　she　was　with　them；　Oliver　Dromore　began　to　haunt　the
house；　coming　at　all　hours；　on　very　transparent　excuses。　　She
behaved　to　him　with　extreme　capriciousness；　sometimes　hardly
speaking；　sometimes　treating　him　like　a　brother；　and　in　spite　of
all　his　nonchalance；　the　poor　youth　would　just　sit　glowering；　or
gazing　out　his　adoration；　according　to　her　mood。

One　of　these　July　evenings　Lennan　remembered　beyond　all　others。　　He
had　come；　after　a　hard　day's　work；　out　from　his　studio　into　the
courtyard　garden　to　smoke　a　cigarette　and　feel　the　sun　on　his　cheek
before　it　sank　behind　the　wall。　　A　piano…organ　far　away　was
grinding　out　a　waltz；　and　on　an　hydrangea　tub；　under　the　drawing…
room　window；　he　sat　down　to　listen。　　Nothing　was　visible　from
there；　save　just　the　square　patch　of　a　quite　blue　sky；　and　one　soft
plume　of　smoke　from　his　own　kitchen　chimney；　nothing　audible　save
that　tune；　and　the　never…ending　street　murmur。　　Twice　birds　flew
acrossstarlings。　　It　was　very　peaceful；　and　his　thoughts　went
floating　like　the　smoke　of　his　cigarette；　to　meet　who…knew…what
other　thoughtsfor　thoughts；　no　doubt；　had　little　swift　lives　of
their　own；　desired；　found　their　mates；　and；　lightly　blending；　sent
forth　offspring。　　Why　not？　　All　things　were　possible　in　this
wonder…house　of　a　world。　　Even　that　waltz　tune；　floating　away；
would　find　some　melody　to　wed；　and　twine　with；　and　produce　a　fresh
chord　that　might　float　in　turn　to　catch　the　hum　of　a　gnat　or　fly；
and　breed　again。　　Queerhow　everything　sought　to　entwine　with
something　else！　　On　one　of　the　pinkish　blooms　of　the　hydrangea　he
noted　a　beeof　all　things；　in　this　hidden…away　garden　of　tiles　and
gravel　and　plants　in　tubs！　　The　little　furry；　lonely　thing　was
drowsily　clinging　there；　as　if　it　had　forgotten　what　it　had　come
forseduced；　maybe；　like　himself；　from　labour　by　these　last　rays
of　the　sun。　　Its　wings；　close…furled；　were　glistening；　its　eyes
seemed　closed。　　And　the　piano…organ　played　on；　a　tune　of　yearning；
waiting；　yearning。　。　。　。


Then；　through　the　window　above　his　head；　he　heard　Oliver　Dromorea
voice　one　could　always　tell；　pitched　high；　with　its　slight　drawl
pleading；　very　softly　at　first；　then　insistent；　imperious；　and
suddenly　Nell's　answering　voice：

〃I　won't；　Oliver！　　I　won't！　　I　won't！〃

He　rose　to　go　out　of　earshot。　　Then　a　door　slammed；　and　he　saw　her
at　the　window　above　him；　her　waist　on　a　level　with　his　head；
flushed；　with　her　grey　eyes　ominously　bright；　her　full　lips　parted。
And　he　said：

〃What　is　it；　Nell？〃

She　leaned　down　and　caught　his　hand；　her　touch　was　fiery　hot。

〃He　kissed　me！　　I　won't　let　himI　won't　kiss　him！〃

Through　his　head　went　a　medley　of　sayings　to　soothe　children　that
are　hurt；　but　he　felt　unsteady；　unlike　himself。　　And　suddenly　she
knelt；　and　put　her　hot　forehead　against　his　lips。

It　was　as　if　she　had　really　been　a　little　child；　wanting　the　place
kissed　to　make　it　well。


VII


After　that　strange　outburst；　Lennan　considered　long　whether　he
should　speak　to　Oliver。　　But　what　could　he　say；　from　what
standpoint　say　it；　andwith　that　feeling？　　Or　should　he　speak　to
Dromore？　　Not　very　easy　to　speak　on　such　a　subject　to　one　off　whose
turf　all　spiritual　matters　were　so　permanently　warned。　　Nor　somehow
could　he　bring　himself　to　tell　Sylvia；　it　would　be　like　violating　a
confidence　to　speak　of　the　child's　outburst　and　that　quivering
moment；　when　she　had　kneeled　and　put　her　hot　forehead　to　his　lips
for　comfort。　　Such　a　disclosure　was　for　Nell　herself　to　make；　if
she　so　wished。

And　then　young　Oliver　solved　the　difficulty　by　coming　to　the　studio
himself　next　day。　　He　entered　with　'Dromore'　composure；　very　well
groomed；　in　a　silk　hat；　a　cut…away　black　coat　and　charming　lemon…
coloured　gloves；　what；　indeed；　the　youth　did；　besides　belonging　to
the　Yeomanry　and　hunting　all　the　winter；　seemed　known　only　to
himself。　　He　made　no　excuse　for　interrupting　Lennan；　and　for　some
time　sat　silently　smoking　his　cigarette；　and　pulling　the　ears　of
the　dogs。　　And　Lennan　worked　on；　waiting。　　There　was　always
something　attractive　to　him　in　this　young　man's　broad；　good…looking
face；　with　its　crisp　dark　hair；　and　half…insolent　good　humour；　now
so　clouded。

At　last　Oliver　got　up；　and　went　over　to　the　unfinished　'Girl　on　the
Magpie　Horse。'　　Turning　to　it　so　that　his　face　could　not　be　seen；
he　said：

〃You　and　Mrs。　Lennan　have　been　awfully　kind　to　me；　I　behaved　rather
like　a　cad　yesterday。　　I　thought　I'd　better　tell　you。　　I　want　to
marry　Nell；　you　know。〃

Lennan　was　glad　that　the　young　man's　face　was　so　religiously
averted。　　He　let　his　hands　come　to　anchor　on　what　he　was　working　at
before　he　answered：　〃She's　only　a　child；　Oliver；〃　and　then；
watching　his　fingers　making　an　inept　movement　with　the　clay；　was
astonished　at　himself。

〃She'll　be　eighteen　this　month；〃　he　heard　Oliver　say。　　〃If　she　once
gets　outamongst　peopleI　don't　know　what　I　shall　do。　　Old
Johnny's　no　good　to　look　after　her。〃

The　young　man's　face　was　very　red；　he　was　forgetting　to　hide　it
now。　　Then　it　went　white；　and　he　said　through　clenched　teeth：　〃She
sends　me　mad！　　I　don't　know　how　not　to　　If　I　don't　get　her；　I
shall　shoot　myself。　　I　shall；　you　knowI'm　that　sort。　　It's　her
eyes。　　They　draw　you　right　out　of　yourselfand　leave　you〃　　And
from　his　gloved　hand　the　smoked…out　cigarette…end　fell　to　the
floor。　　〃They　say　her　mother　was　like　that。　　Poor　old　Johnny！
D'you　think　I've　got　a　chance；　Mr。　Lennan？　　I　don't　mean　now；　this
minute；　I　know　she's　too　young。〃

Lennan　forced　himself　to　answer。

〃I　dare　say；　my　dear　fellow；　I　dare　say。　　Have　you　talked　with　my
wife？〃

Oliver　shook　his　head。

〃She's　so　goodI　don't　think　she'd　quite　understand　my　sort　of
feeling。〃

A　queer　little　smile　came　up　on　Lennan's　lips。

〃Ah；　well！〃　he　said；　〃you　must　give　the　child　time。　　Perhaps　when
she　comes　back　from　Ireland；　after　the　summer。〃

The　young　man　answered　moodily：

〃Yes。　　I've　got　the