white lies-第26章

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〃Who　should　it　be　but　my　poor　patient？　　He　puzzles　me。　　I　never　knew　a　patient　so　faint…hearted。〃

〃A　soldier　faint…hearted！〃　exclaimed　the　baroness。　　〃To　be　sure　these　men　that　storm　cities；　and　fire　cannon；　and　cut　and　hack　one　another　with　so　much　spirit；　are　poor　creatures　compared　with　us　when　they　have　to　lie　quiet　and　suffer。〃

The　doctor　walked　the　room　in　great　excitement。　　〃It　is　not　his　wound　that　is　killing　him；　there's　something　on　his　mind。　　You；　Josephine；　with　your　instincts　do　help　me：　do　pray；　for　pity's　sake；　throw　off　that　sublime　indifference　you　have　manifested　all　along　to　this　man's　fate。〃

〃She　has　not；〃　cried　the　baroness；　firing　up。　　〃Did　I　not　see　her　lining　his　dressing…gown　for　him？　and　she　inspects　everything　that　he　eats：　do　you　not？〃

〃Yes；　mother。〃　　She　then　suggested　in　a　faltering　voice　that　time　would　cure　the　patient；　and　time　alone。

〃Time！　you　speak　as　if　time　was　a　quality：　time　is　only　a　measure　of　events；　favorable　or　unfavorable；　it　kills　as　many　as　it　cures。〃

〃Why；　you　surely　would　not　imply　his　life　is　in　any　danger？〃　　This　was　the　baroness。

〃Madame；　if　the　case　was　not　grave；　should　I　take　this　unusual　step？　I　tell　you　if　some　change　does　not　take　place　soon；　he　will　be　a　dead　man　in　another　fortnight。　　That　is　all　TIME　will　do　for　him。〃

The　baroness　uttered　an　exclamation　of　pity　and　distress。　　Josephine　put　her　hand　to　her　bosom；　and　a　creeping　horror　came　over　her；　and　then　a　faintness。　　She　sat　working　mechanically；　and　turning　like　ice　within。　　After　a　few　minutes　of　this；　she　rose　with　every　appearance　of　external　composure　and　left　the　room。　　In　the　passage　she　met　Rose　coming　hastily　towards　the　salon　laughing：　the　first　time　she　had　laughed　this　many　a　day。　　Oh；　what　a　contrast　between　the　two　faces　that　met　therethe　one　pale　and　horror　stricken；　the　other　rosy　and　laughing！

〃Well；　dear；　at　last　I　am　paid　for　all　my　trouble；　and　yours；　by　a　discovery；　he　never　drinks　a　drop　of　his　medicine；　he　pours　it　into　the　ashes　under　the　grate；　I　caught　him　in　the　fact。〃

〃Then　this　is　too　much：　I　can　resist　no　longer。　　Come　with　me；〃　said　Josephine　doggedly。

〃Where？〃

〃To　him。〃


CHAPTER　XII。


Josephine　paused　on　the　landing；　and　laid　her　hand　on　Rose's　shoulder。　　It　was　so　cold　it　made　Rose　shudder；　and　exacted　a　promise　from　her　not　to　contradict　a　word　she　should　say　to　Camille。　〃I　do　not　go　to　him　for　my　pleasure；　but　for　his　life；〃　she　said；　〃I　must　deceive　him　and　save　him；　and　then　let　me　lie　down　and　die。〃

〃Oh；　that　the　wretch　had　never　been　born！〃　cried　Rose；　in　despair。　But　she　gave　the　required　promise；　and　offered　to　go　and　tell　Camille　Josephine　was　coming　to　visit　him。

But　Josephine　declined　this。　　〃No；〃　said　she；　〃give　me　every　advantage；　I　must　think　beforehand　every　word　I　shall　say；　but　take　him　by　surprise；　coward　and　doubleface　that　I　am。〃

Rose　knocked　at　the　door。　　A　faint　voice　said；　〃Come　in。〃　　The　sisters　entered　the　room　very　softly。　　Camille　sat　on　the　sofa；　his　head　bowed　over　his　hands。　　A　glance　showed　Josephine　that　he　was　doggedly　and　resolutely　thrusting　himself　into　the　grave。　　Thinking　it　was　only　Rosefor　he　had　now　lost　all　hope　of　seeing　Josephine　come　in　at　the　doorhe　never　moved。　　Some　one　glided　gently　but　rapidly　up　to　him。　　He　looked　up。　　Josephine　was　kneeling　to　him。

He　lifted　his　head　with　a　start；　and　trembled　all　over。

She　whispered；　〃I　am　come　to　you　to　beg　your　pity；　to　appeal　to　your　generosity；　to　ask　a　favor；　I　who　deserve　so　little　of　you。〃

〃You　have　waited　a　long　time；〃　said　Camille；　agitated　greatly；　〃and　so　have　I。〃

〃Camille；　you　are　torturing　one　who　loved　you　once；　and　who　has　been　very　weak　and　faithless；　but　not　so　wicked　as　she　appears。〃

〃How　am　I　torturing　you？〃

〃With　remorse；　do　I　not　suffer　enough？　　Would　you　make　me　a　murderess？〃

〃Why　have　you　never　been　near　me？〃　retorted　Camille。　　〃I　could　forgive　your　weakness；　but　not　your　heartlessness。〃

〃It　is　my　duty。　　I　have　no　right　to　seek　your　society。　　If　you　really　want　mine；　you　have　only　to　get　well；　and　so　join　us　down…　stairs　a　week　or　two　before　you　leave　us。〃

〃How　am　I　to　get　well？　　My　heart　is　broken。〃

〃Camille；　be　a　man。　　Do　not　fling　away　a　soldier's　life　because　a　fickle；　worthless　woman　could　not　wait　for　you。　　Forgive　me　like　a　man；　or　else　revenge　yourself　like　a　man。　　If　you　cannot　forgive　me；　kill　me。　　See；　I　kneel　at　your　feet。　　I　will　not　resist　you。　　Kill　me。〃

〃I　wish　I　could。　　Oh！　if　I　could　kill　you　with　a　look　and　myself　with　a　wish！　　No　man　should　ever　take　you　from　me；　then。　　We　would　be　together　in　the　grave　at　this　hour。　　Do　not　tempt　me；　I　say；〃　and　he　cast　a　terrible　look　of　love；　and　hatred；　and　despair　upon　her。　Her　purple　eye　never　winced；　it　poured　back　tenderness　and　affection　in　return。　　He　saw　and　turned　away　with　a　groan；　and　held　out　his　hand　to　her。　　She　seized　it　and　kissed　it。　　〃You　are　great；　you　are　generous；　you　will　not　strike　me　as　a　woman　strikes；　you　will　not　die　to　drive　me　to　despair。〃

〃I　see；〃　said　he；　more　gently；　〃love　is　gone；　but　pity　remains。　　I　thought　that　was　gone；　too。〃

〃Yes；　Camille；〃　said　Josephine；　in　a　whisper；　〃pity　remains；　and　remorse　and　terror　at　what　I　have　done　to　a　man　of　whom　I　was　never　worthy。〃

〃Well；　madame；　as　you　have　come　at　last　to　me；　and　even　do　me　the　honor　to　ask　me　a　favorI　shall　tryif　only　out　of　courtesyto　ah；　Josephine！　Josephine！　when　did　I　ever　refuse　you　anything？〃

At　this　Josephine　sank　into　a　chair；　and　burst　out　crying。　　Camille；　at　this；　began　to　cry　too；　and　the　two　poor　things　sat　a　long　way　from　one　another；　and　sobbed　bitterly。

The　man；　weakened　as　he　was；　recovered　his　quiet　despair　first。

〃Don't　cry　so；〃　said　he。　　〃But　tell　me　what　is　your　will；　and　I　shall　obey　you　as　I　used　before　any　one　came　between　us。〃

〃Then；　live；　Camille。　　I　implore　you　to　live。〃

〃Well；　Josephine；　since　you　care　about　it；　I　will　try　and　live。　　Why　did　not　you　come　before　and　ask　me？　　I　thought　I　was　in　your　way。　　I　thought　you　wanted　me　dead。〃

Josephine　cast　a　look　of　wonder　and　anguish　on　Camille；　but　she　said　nothing。　　She　rang　the　bell；　and；　on　Jacintha　coming　up；　despatched　her　to　Dr。　Aubertin　for　the　patient's　medicine。

〃Tell　the　doctor；〃　said　she；　〃Colonel　Dujardin　has　let　fall　the　glass。〃　　While　Jacintha　was　gone；　she　scolded　Camille　gently。　　〃How　could　you　be　so　unkind　to　the　poor　doctor　who　loves　you　so？　　Only　think：　to　throw　away　his　medicines！　　Look　at　the　ashes；　they　are　wet。　　Camille；　are　you；　too；　becoming　disingenuous？〃

Jacintha　came　in　with　the　tonic　in　a　glass；　and　retired　with　an　obeisance。　　Josephine　took　it　to　Camille。

〃Drink　with　me；　then；〃　said　he；　〃or　I　will　not　touch　it。〃　　Josephine　took　the　glass。　　〃I　drink　to　your　health；　Camille；　and　to　your　glory；　laurels　to　your　brow；　and　some　faithful　woman　to　your　heart；　who　will　make　you　forget　this　folly：　it　is　for　her　I　am　saving　you。〃　She　put　the　glass　with　well…acted　spirit　to　her　lips；　but　in　the　very　action　a　spasm　seized　her　throat　and　almost　choked　her；　she　lowered　her　head　that　he　might　not　see　her　face；　and　tried　again；　but　the　tears　burst　from　her　eyes　and　ran　into　the　liquid；　and　her　lips　trembled　over　the　brim；　and　were　paralyzed。

〃No；　no！　give　it　me！〃　he　cried；　〃there　is　a　tear　of　yours　in　it。〃　He　drank　off　the　bitter　remedy　now　as　if　it　had　been　nectar。

Josephine　blushed。

〃If　you　wanted　me　to　live；　why　did　you　not　come　here　before？〃

〃I　did　not　think　you　would　be　so　foolish；　so　wicked；　so　cruel　as　to　do　what　you　have　been　doing。〃

〃Come　and　shine　upon　me　every　day；　and　you　shall　have　no　fresh　cause　of　complaint；　things　flourish　in　the　sunshine　that　die　in　the　dark：　Rose；　it　is　as　if　the　sun　had　come　into　my　prison；　you　are　pale；　but　you　are　beautiful　as　evermore　beautiful；　what　a　sweet　dress！　so　quiet；　so　modest；　it　sets　off　your　beauty　instead　of　vainly　trying　to　vie　with　it。〃　　With　this　he　put　out　his　hand　and　took　her　gray　silk　dress；　and　went　to　kiss　it　as　a　devotee　kisses　the　altar　steps。

She　snatched　it　away　with　a　shudder。

〃Yes；　you　are　right；〃　said　she；　〃thank　you　for　noticing　my　dress；　it　is　a　beautiful　dressha！　ha！　　A　dress　I　take　a　pride　in　wearing；　and　always　shall；　I　hope。　　I　mean　to　be　buried　in　it。　　Come；　Rose。　Thank　you；　Camille；　you　are　very　good；　you　have　once　more　promised　me　to　live。　　Get　well；　come　down…stairs；　then　you　will　see　me　every　day；　you　knowthere　is　a　temptation。　　Good…by；　Camille！are　you　coming；　Rose？　　What　are　you　loitering　for？　　God　bless　you；　and　comfort　you；　and　help　you　to　forget　what　it　is　madness　to　remember！〃

With　these　wild　words　she　literally　fled；　and　in　one　moment　the　room　seemed　to　darken　to　Camille。

Outside　the　door　Josephine　caught　hold　of　Rose。　　〃Have　I　committed　myself？〃

〃Over　and　over　again。　　Do　not　look　so　terrified；　I　mean　to　me；　but　not　to　him。　　How　blind　he　is！　and　how　much　better　you　must　know　him　than　I　do　to　venture　on　such　a　transparent　deceit。　　He　believes　whatever　you　tell　him。　　He　is　all　ears　and　no　eyes。　　Yes；　love；　I　watched　him　keenly　all　the　time。　　He　really　thinks　it　is　pity　and　remorse；　nothing　more。　　My　poor　sister；　you　have　a　hard　life　to　lead；　a　hard　game　to　play；　but　so　far　you　have　succeeded；　yet　could　look　poor　Raynal　in　the　face　if　he　came　home　to…day。〃

〃Then　God　be　thanked！〃　cried　Josephine。　　〃I　am　as　happy　to…day　as　I　can　ever　hope　to　be。　　Now　let　us　go　through　the　farce　of　dressing　it　is　near　dinner…timeand　then　the　farce　of　talking；　and；　hardest　of　all；　the　farce　of　living。〃

From　that　hour　Camille　began　to　get　better　very　slowly；　yet　perceptibly。

The　doctor；　afraid　of　being　mistaken；　said　nothing　for　some　days；　but　at　last　he　announced　the　good　news　at　the　dinner…table。　　〃He　is　to　come　down…stairs　in　three　days；〃　added　the　doctor。

But　I　am　sorry　to　say　that　as　Camille's　body　strengthened　some　of　the　worst　passions　in　our　nature　attacked　him。　　Fierce　gusts　of　hate　and　love　combined　overpowered　this　man's　high　sentiments　of　honor　and　justice；　and　made　him　clench　his　teeth；　and　vow　never　to　leave　Beaurepaire　without　Josephine。　　She　had　been　his　four　years　before　she　ever　saw　this　interloper；　and　she　should　be　his　forever。　　Her　love　would　soon　revive　when　they　should　meet　every　day；　and　she　would　end　by　eloping　with　him。

Then　conscience　pricked　him；　and　reminded　him　how　and　why　Raynal　had　married　her：　for　Rose　had　told　him　all。　　Should　he　undermine　an　absent　soldier；　whose　whole　conduct　in　this　had　been　so　pure；　so　generous；　so　unselfish？

But　this　was　not　all。　　As　I　have　already　hinted；　he　was　under　a　great　personal　obligation　to　his　quondam　comrade　Raynal。　　Whenever　this　was　vividly　present　to　his　mind；　a　great　terror　fell　on　him；　and　he　would　cry　out　in　anguish；　〃Oh！　that　some　angel　would　come　to　me　and　tear　me　by　force　from　this　place！〃　　And　the　next　moment　passion　swept　over　him　like　a　flood；　and　carried　away　all　his　virtuous　resolves。　　His　soul　was　in　deep　waters；　great　waves　drove　it　to　and　fro。　　Perilous　condition；　which　seldom　ends　well。　　Camille　was　a　man　of　honor。　　In　no　other　earthly　circumstance　could　he　have　hesitated　an　instant　between　right　and　wrong。　　But　such　natures；　proof　against　all　other　temptations；　have　often　fallen；　and　will　fall；　where　sin　takes　the　angel　form　of　her　they　love。　　Yet；　o