white lies-第22章

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ooking　up　at　him　every　now　and　then　with　innocent　admiration。　　A　merry　wedding　breakfast。

But　if　men　and　women　could　see　through　the　walls　of　houses！

Two　doors　off　sat　the　wounded　colonel　alone；　recruiting　the　small　remnant　of　his　sore　tried　strength；　that　he　might　struggle　on　to　Beaurepaire；　and　lose　in　one　moment　years　of　separation；　pain；　prison；　anguish；　martyrdom；　in　one　great　gush　of　joy　without　compare。


The　wedding　breakfast　was　ended。　　The　time　was　drawing　near　to　part。　There　was　a　silence。　　It　was　broken　by　Madame　Raynal。　　She　asked　Raynal　very　timidly　if　he　had　reflected。　　〃On　what？〃　said　he。

〃About　taking　me　to　Egypt。〃

〃No：　I　have　not　given　it　a　thought　since　I　said　'no。'〃

〃Yet　permit　me　to　say　that　it　is　my　duty　to　be　by　your　side；　my　husband。〃　　And　she　colored　at　this　word；　being　the　first　time　she　had　ever　used　it。　　Raynal　was　silent。　　She　murmured　on；　〃I　would　not　be　an　encumbrance　to　you；　sir：　I　should　not　be　useless。　　Gentlemen；　I　could　add　more　to　his　comfort　than　he　gives　me　credit　for。〃

Warm　assent　of　the　mayor　and　notary　to　this　hint。

〃I　give　you　credit　for　being　an　angel；〃　said　Raynal　warmly。

He　hesitated。　　Rose　was　trembling；　her　fork　shaking　in　her　poor　little　hand。

She　cast　a　piteous　glance　at　him。　　He　saw　it。

〃You　shall　go　with　me　next　time；〃　said　he。　　〃Let　us　speak　of　it　no　more。〃

Josephine　bowed　her　head。　　〃At　least　give　me　something　to　do　for　you　while　you　are　away。　　Tell　me　what　I　can　do　for　my　absent　friend　to　show　my　gratitude；　my　regard；　my　esteem。〃

〃Well；　let　me　think。　　I　saw　a　plain　gray　dress　at　Beaurepaire。〃

〃Yes；　monsieur。　　My　gray　silk；　Rose。〃

〃I　like　that　dress。〃

〃Do　you？　　Then　the　moment　I　reach　home　after　losing　you　I　shall　put　it　on；　and　it　shall　be　my　constant　wear。　　I　see；　you　are　right；　gray　becomes　a　wife　whose　husband　is　not　dead；　but　is　absent；　and　alas！　in　hourly　danger。〃

〃Now　look　at　that！〃　cried　Raynal　to　the　company。　　〃That　is　her　all　over：　she　can　see　six　meanings　where　another　would　see　but　one。　　I　never　thought　of　that；　I　swear。　　I　like　modest　colors；　that　is　all。　My　mother　used　to　be　all　for　modest　wives　wearing　modest　colors。〃

〃I　am　of　her　mind；　sir。　　Is　there　nothing　more　difficult　you　will　be　so　good　as　give　me　to　do？〃

〃No；　there　is　only　one　order　more；　and　that　will　be　easier　still　to　such　a　woman　as　you。　　I　commit　to　your　care　the　name　of　Raynal。　　It　is　not　so　high　a　name　as　yours；　but　it　is　as　honest。　　I　am　proud　of　it：　I　am　jealous　of　it。　　I　shall　guard　it　for　you　in　Egypt：　you　guard　it　in　France　for　me。〃

〃With　my　life；〃　cried　Josephine；　lifting　her　eyes　and　her　hand　to　heaven。

Soon　after　this　Raynal　ordered　his　charger。

The　baroness　began　to　cry。　　〃The　young　people　may　hope　to　see　you　again；〃　said　she；　〃but　there　are　two　chances　against　your　poor　old　mother。〃

〃Courage；　mother！〃　cried　the　stout　soldier。　　〃No；　no；　you　won't　play　me　such　a　trick：　once　is　enough　for　that　game。〃

〃Brother！〃　cried　Rose；　〃do　not　go　without　kissing　your　little　sister；　who　loves　you　and　thanks　you。〃　　He　kissed　her。　　〃Bravo；　generous　soul！〃　she　cried；　with　her　arms　round　his　neck。　　〃God　protect　you；　and　send　you　back　safe　to　us！〃

〃Amen！〃　cried　all　present　by　one　impulse；　even　the　cold　notary。

Raynal's　mustache　quivered。　　He　kissed　Josephine　hastily　on　the　brow；　the　baroness　on　both　cheeks；　shook　the　men's　hands　warmly　but　hastily；　and　strode　out　without　looking　behind　him。　　He　was　moved　for　once。

They　all　followed　him　to　the　door　of　the　house。　　He　was　tightening　his　horse's　girths。　　He　flung　himself　with　all　the　resolution　of　his　steel　nature　into　the　saddle；　and；　with　one　grand　wave　of　his　cocked　hat　to　the　tearful　group；　he　spurred　away　for　Egypt。


CHAPTER　IX。


The　baroness　took　the　doctor　a…shopping；　she　must　buy　Rose　a　gray　silk。　　In　doing　this　she　saw　many　other　tempting　things。　　I　say　no　more。

But　the　young　ladies　went　up　to　Beaurepaire　in　the　other　carriage；　for　Josephine　wished　to　avoid　the　gaze　of　the　town；　and　get　home　and　be　quiet。　　The　driver　went　very　fast。　　He　had　drunk　the　bride's　health　at　the　mayor's；　item　the　bridegroom's；　the　bridesmaid's；　the　mayor's；　etc。；　and　〃a　spur　in　the　head　is　worth　two　in　the　heel；〃　says　the　proverb。　　The　sisters　leaned　back　on　the　soft　cushions；　and　enjoyed　the　smooth　and　rapid　motion　once　so　familiar　to　them；　so　rare　of　late。

Then　Rose　took　her　sister　gently　to　task　for　having　offered　to　go　to　Egypt。　　She　had　forgotten　her　poor　sister。

〃No；　love；〃　replied　Josephine；　〃did　you　not　see　I　dared　not　look　towards　you？　　I　love　you　better　than　all　the　world；　but　this　was　my　duty。　　I　was　his　wife：　I　had　no　longer　a　feeble　inclination　and　a　feeble　disinclination　to　decide　between；　but　right　on　one　side；　wrong　on　the　other。〃

〃Oh！　I　know　where　your　ladyship's　strength　lies：　my　force　isinmy　inclinations。〃

〃Yes；　Rose；〃　continued　Josephine　thoughtfully；　〃duty　is　a　great　comfort：　it　is　so　tangible；　it　is　something　to　lay　hold　of　for　life　or　death；　a　strong　tower　for　the　weak　but　well　disposed。〃

Rose　assented；　and　they　were　silent　a　minute；　and　when　she　spoke　again　it　was　to　own　she　loved　a　carriage。　　〃How　fast　we　glide！　　Now　lean　back　with　me；　and　take　my　hand；　and　as　we　glide　shut　your　eyes　and　think：　whisper　me　all　your　feelings；　every　one　of　them。〃

〃Well；　then；〃　said　Josephine；　half　closing　her　eyes；　〃in　the　first　place　I　feel　a　great　calm；　a　heavenly　calm。　　My　fate　is　decided。　　No　more　suspense。　　My　duties　are　clear。　　I　have　a　husband　I　am　proud　of。　　There　is　no　perfidy　with　him；　no　deceit；　no　disingenuousness；　no　shade。　　He　is　a　human　sun。　　He　will　make　me　a　better；　truer　woman；　and　I　him　a　happier　man。　　Yes；　is　it　not　nice　to　think　that　great　and　strong　as　he　is　I　can　teach　him　a　happiness　he　knows　not　as　yet？〃　　And　she　smiled　with　the　sense　of　her　delicate　power；　but　said　no　more；　for　she　was　not　the　one　to　talk　much　about　herself。　But　Rose　pressed　her。　　〃Yes；　go　on；　dear；〃　she　said；　〃I　seem　to　see　your　pretty　little　thoughts　rising　out　of　your　heart　like　a　bubbling　fountain：　go　on。〃

Thus　encouraged；　Josephine　thought　on　aloud；　〃And　then；　gratitude！〃　said　she。　　〃I　have　heard　it　said；　or　read　it　somewhere；　that　gratitude　is　a　burden：　I　cannot　understand　that　sentiment；　why；　to　me　gratitude　is　a　delight；　gratitude　is　a　passion。　　It　is　the　warmest　of　all　the　tender　feelings　I　have　for　dear　Monsieur　Raynal。　I　feel　it　glow　here；　in　my　bosom。　　I　think　I　shall　love　him　as　I　ought　long　before　he　comes　back。〃

〃BEFORE？〃

〃Yes；〃　murmured　Josephine；　her　eyes　still　half　closed。　　〃His　virtues　will　always　be　present　to　me。　　His　little　faults　of　manner　will　not　be　in　sight。　　Good　Raynal！　　The　image　of　those　great　qualities　I　revere　so；　perhaps　because　I　fail　in　them　myself；　will　be　before　my　mind；　and　ere　he　comes　home　I　shall　love　him　dearly。　　I'll　tell　you　one　reason　why　I　wished　to　go　home　at　once　wasnoyou　must　guess。〃

〃Guess？〃　said　Rose；　contemptuously。　　〃As　if　I　did　not　see　it　was　to　put　on　your　gray　silk。〃

Josephine　smiled　assent；　and　said　almost　with　fervor；　〃Good　Raynal！　I　feel　prouder　of　his　honest　name　than　of　our　noble　one。　　And　I　am　so　calm；　dear；　thanks　to　you；　so　tranquil；　so　pleased　that　my　mother's　mind　is　at　rest；　so　convinced　all　is　for　the　best；　so　contented　with　my　own　lot；　so　happy。〃

A　gentle　tear　stole　from　beneath　her　long　lashes。　　Rose　looked　at　her　wistfully：　then　laid　her　cheek　to　hers。　　They　leaned　back　hand　in　hand；　placid　and　silent。

The　carriage　glided　fast。　　Beaurepaire　was　almost　in　sight。

Suddenly　Josephine's　hand　tightened　on　Rose's；　and　she　sat　up　in　the　carriage　like　a　person　awakened　from　a　strange　dream。

〃What　is　it？〃　asked　Rose。

〃Some　one　in　uniform。〃

〃Oh；　is　that　all？　　Ah！　you　thought　it　was　a　message　from　Raynal。〃

〃Oh！　no！　on　footwalking　very　slowly。　　Coming　this　way；　too。　Coming　this　way！〃　and　she　became　singularly　restless；　and　looked　round　in　the　carriage。　　It　was　one　of　those　old　chariots　with　no　side　windows；　but　a　peep　hole　at　the　back。　　This　aperture；　however；　had　a　flap　over　it。　　Josephine　undid　the　flap　with　nimble　though　agitated　fingers；　and　sawnothing。　　The　road　had　taken　a　turn。　〃Oh；〃　said　Rose；　carelessly；　〃for　that　matter　the　roads　are　full　of　soldiers　just　now。〃

〃Ay；　but　not　of　officers　on　foot。〃

Rose　gave　her　such　a　look；　and　for　the　first　time　this　many　a　day　spoke　sternly　to　her；　and　asked　her　what　on　earth　she　had　to　do　with　uniforms　or　officers　except　one；　the　noblest　in　the　world；　her　husband。

A　month　ago　that　word　was　almost　indifferent　to　Josephine；　or　rather　she　uttered　it　with　a　sort　of　mild　complacency。　　Now　she　started　at　it；　and　it　struck　chill　upon　her。　　She　did　not　reply；　however；　and　the　carriage　rolled　on。

〃He　seemed　to　be　dragging　himself　along。〃　　This　was　the　first　word　Josephine　had　spoken　for　some　time。　　〃Oh；　did　he？〃　replied　Rose　carelessly；　〃well；　let　him。　　Here　we　are；　at　home。〃

〃I　am　glad　of　it；〃　said　Josephine；　〃very　glad。〃

On　reaching　Beaurepaire　she　wanted　to　go　up…stairs　at　once　and　put　on　her　gray　gown。　　But　the　day　was　so　delightful　that　Rose　begged　her　to　stroll　in　the　Pleasaunce　for　half　an　hour　and　watch　for　their　mother's　return。　　She　consented　in　an　absent　way；　and　presently　began　to　walk　very　fast；　unconscious　of　her　companion。　　Rose　laid　a　hand　upon　her　playfully　to　moderate　her；　and　found　her　skin　burning。

〃Why；　what　is　the　matter？〃　said　she；　anxiously。

〃Nothing；　nothing；〃　was　the　sharp　reply。

〃There's　a　fretful　tone；　and　how　excited　you　look；　and　feel　too。　Well；　I　thought　you　were　unnaturally　calm　after　such　an　event。〃

〃I　only　saw　his　back；〃　said　Josephine。　　〃Did　not　you　see　him？〃

〃See　who？　　Oh；　that　tiresome　officer。　　Why；　how　much　more　are　we　to　hear　about　him？　　I　don't　believe　there　WAS　one。〃

At　this　moment　a　cocked　hat　came　in　sight；　bobbing　up　and　down　above　the　palings　that　divided　the　park　from　the　road。　　Josephine　pointed　to　it　without　a　word。

Rose　got　a　little　cross　at　being　practically　confuted；　and　said　coldly；　〃Come；　let　us　go　in；　the　only　cocked　hat　we　can　see　is　on　the　way　to　Paris。〃

Josephine　assented　eagerly。　　But　she　had　not　taken　two　steps　towards　the　house　ere　she　altered　her　mind；　and　said　she　felt　faint；　she　wanted　air；　no；　she　should　stay　out　a　little　longer。　　〃Look；　Rose；〃　said　she；　in　a　strangely　excited　way；　〃what　a　shame！　　They　put　all　manner　of　rubbish　into　this　dear　old　tree：　I　will　have　it　all　turned　out。〃　　And　she　looked　with　feigned　interest　into　the　tree：　but　her　eyes　seemed　turned　inward。

Rose　gave　a　cry　of　surprise。　　〃He　is　waving　his　hat　to　me！　　What　on　earth　does　that　mean？〃

〃Perhaps　he　takes　you　for　me；〃　said　Josephine。

〃Who　is　it？　　What　do　you　mean？〃

〃IT　IS　HE！　　I　knew　his　figure　at　a　glance。〃　　And　she　blushed　and　trembled　with　joy；　she　darted　behind　the　tree　and　peered　round　at　him　unseen：　turning　round　a　moment　she　found　Rose　at　her　back　pale　and　stern。　　She　looked　at　her；　and　said　with　terrible　simplicity；　〃Ah；　Rose；　I　forgot。〃

〃Are　you　mad；　Josephine？　　Into　the　house　this　moment；　if　it　IS　he；　I　will　receive　him　and　send　him　about　his　business。〃

But　Josephine　stood　fascinated；　and　pale　as　ashes；　for　now　the　cocked　hat　stopped；　and　a　pale　face　with　eyes　whose　eager　fire　shone　even　at　that　distance；　rose　above　the　palings。　　Josephine　crouched　behind　Ro