white lies-第41章

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d　she　carried　an　infant　on　her　shoulders。　　Josephine　inspected　it。　　〃It　looks　sickly；　poor　little　thing；〃　said　she。

〃What　can　you　expect；　young　lady？〃　said　the　woman。　　〃Its　mother　had　to　rise　and　go　about　when　she　ought　to　have　been　in　her　bed；　and　now　she　has　not　enough　to　give　it。〃

〃Oh；　dear！〃　cried　Josephine。　　〃Jacintha；　give　them　some　food　and　a　nice　bottle　of　wine。〃

〃That　I　will；〃　cried　Jacintha；　changing　her　tone　with　courtier…like　alacrity。　　〃I　did　not　see　she　was　nursing。〃

Josephine　put　a　franc　into　the　infant's　hand；　the　little　fingers　closed　on　it　with　that　instinct　of　appropriation；　which　is　our　first　and　often　our　last　sentiment。　　Josephine　smiled　lovingly　on　the　child；　and　the　child　seeing　that　gave　a　small　crow。

〃Bless　it；〃　said　Josephine；　and　thereupon　her　lovely　head　reared　itself　like　a　snake's；　and　then　darted　down　on　the　child；　and　the　young　noble　kissed　the　beggar's　brat　as　if　she　would　eat　it。

This　won　the　mother's　heart　more　than　even　the　gifts。

〃Blessings　on　you；　my　lady！〃　she　cried。　　〃I　pray　the　Lord　not　to　forget　this　when　a　woman's　trouble　comes　on　you　in　your　turn！　　It　is　a　small　child；　mademoiselle；　but　it　is　not　an　unhealthy　one。　　See。〃　Inspection　was　offered；　and　eagerly　accepted。

Edouard　stood　looking　on　at　some　distance　in　amazement；　mingled　with　disgust。

〃Ugh！〃　said　he；　when　she　rejoined　him；　〃how　could　you　kiss　that　nasty　little　brat？〃

〃Dear　Edouard；　don't　speak　so　of　a　poor　little　innocent。　　Who　would　pity　them　if　we　women　did　not？　　It　had　lovely　eyes。〃

〃Like　saucers。〃

〃Yes。〃

〃It　is　no　compliment　when　you　are　affectionate　to　anybody；　you　overflow　with　benevolence　on　all　creation；　like　the　rose　which　sheds　its　perfume　on　the　first…comer。〃

〃If　he　is　not　going　to　be　jealous　of　me　next；〃　whined　Josephine。

She　took　him　to　Rose；　and　she　said；　〃There；　whenever　good　friends　quarrel；　it　is　understood　they　were　both　in　the　wrong。　　Bygones　are　to　be　bygones；　and　when　your　time　comes　round　to　quarrel　again；　please　consult　me　first；　since　it　is　me　you　will　afflict。〃　　She　left　them　together；　and　went　and　tapped　timidly　at　the　doctor's　study。

Aubertin　received　her　with　none　of　that　reserve　she　had　seen　in　him。　He　appeared　both　surprised　and　pleased　at　her　visit　to　his　little　sanctum。　　He　even　showed　an　emotion　Josephine　was　at　a　loss　to　account　for。　　But　that　wore　off　during　the　conversation；　and；　indeed；　gave　place　to　a　sort　of　coldness。

〃Dear　friend；〃　said　she；　〃I　come　to　consult　you　about　Rose　and　Edouard。〃　　She　then　told　him　what　had　happened；　and　hinted　at　Edouard's　one　fault。　　The　doctor　smiled。　　〃It　is　curious。　　You　have　come　to　draw　my　attention　to　a　point　on　which　it　has　been　fixed　for　some　days　past。　　I　am　preparing　a　cure　for　the　two　young　fools；　a　severe　remedy；　but　in　their　case　a　sure　one。〃

He　then　showed　her　a　deed；　wherein　he　had　settled　sixty　thousand　francs　on　Rose　and　her　children。　　〃Edouard；〃　said　he；　〃has　a　good　place。　　He　is　active　and　rising；　and　with　my　sixty　thousand　francs；　and　a　little　purse　of　ten　thousand　more　for　furniture　and　nonsense；　they　can　marry　next　week；　if　they　like。　　Yes；　marriage　is　a　sovereign　medicine　for　both　of　these　patients。　　She　does　not　love　him　quite　enough。　　Cure：　marriage。　　He　loves　her　a　little　too　much。　Cure：　marriage。〃

〃O　doctor！〃

〃Can't　help　it。　　I　did　not　make　men　and　women。　　We　must　take　human　nature　as　we　find　it；　and　thank　God　for　it　on　the　whole。　　Have　you　nothing　else　to　confide　to　me？〃

〃No；　doctor。〃

〃Are　you　sure？〃

〃No；　dear　friend。　　But　this　is　very　near　my　heart；〃　faltered　Josephine。

The　doctor　sighed；　then　said　gently；　〃They　shall　be　happy：　as　happy　as　you　wish　them。〃

Meantime；　in　another　room；　a　reconciliation　scene　was　taking　place；　and　the　mutual　concessions　of　two　impetuous　but　generous　spirits。


The　baroness　noticed　the　change　in　Josephine's　appearance。

She　asked　Rose　what　could　be　the　matter。

〃Some　passing　ailment；〃　was　the　reply。

〃Passing？　　She　has　been　so；　on　and　off；　a　long　time。　　She　makes　me　very　anxious。〃

Rose　made　light　of　it　to　her　mother；　but　in　her　own　heart　she　grew　more　and　more　anxious　day　by　day。　　She　held　secret　conferences　with　Jacintha；　that　sagacious　personage　had　a　plan　to　wake　Josephine　from　her　deathly　languor；　and　even　soothe　her　nerves；　and　check　those　pitiable　fits　of　nervous　irritation　to　which　she　had　become　subject。　Unfortunately；　Jacintha's　plan　was　so　difficult　and　so　dangerous；　that　at　first　even　the　courageous　Rose　recoiled　from　it；　but　there　are　dangers　that　seem　to　diminish　when　you　look　them　long　in　the　face。

The　whole　party　was　seated　in　the　tapestried　room：　Jacintha　was　there；　sewing　a　pair　of　sheets；　at　a　respectful　distance　from　the　gentlefolks；　absorbed　in　her　work；　but　with　both　ears　on　full　cock。

The　doctor；　holding　his　glasses　to　his　eye；　had　just　begun　to　read　out　the　Moniteur。

The　baroness　sat　close　to　him；　Edouard　opposite；　and　the　young　ladies　each　in　her　corner　of　a　large　luxurious　sofa；　at　some　little　distance。


〃'The　Austrians　left　seventy　cannon；　eight　thousand　men；　and　three　colors　upon　the　field。　　Army　of　the　North：　General　Menard　defeated　the　enemy　after　a　severe　engagement；　taking　thirteen　field…pieces　and　a　quantity　of　ammunition。'〃


The　baroness　made　a　narrow…minded　renmark。　　〃That　is　always　the　way　with　these　journals；〃　said　she。　　〃Austrians！　　Prussians！　when　it's　Egypt　one　wants　to　hear　about。〃〃No；　not　a　word　about　Egypt；〃　said　the　doctor；　〃but　there　is　a　whole　column　about　the　Rhine；　where　Colonel　Dujardin　isand　Dard。　　If　I　was　dictator；　the　first　nuisance　I　would　put　down　is　small　type。〃　　He　then　spelled　out　a　sanguinary　engagement：　〃eight　thousand　of　the　enemy　killed。　　We　have　some　losses　to　lament。　　Colonel　Dujardin〃

〃Only　wounded；　I　hope；〃　said　the　baroness。

The　doctor　went　coolly　on。　　〃At　the　head　of　the　24th　brigade　made　a　brilliant　charge　on　the　enemy's　flank；　that　is　described　in　the　general　order　as　having　decided　the　fate　of　the　battle。〃

〃How　badly　you　do　read；〃　said　the　old　lady；　sharply。　　〃I　thought　he　was　gone；　instead　of　that　he　has　covered　himself　with　glory；　but　it　is　all　our　doing；　is　it　not；　young　ladies？　　We　saved　his　life。〃

〃We　saved　it　amongst　us；　madame。〃

〃What　is　the　matter；　Rose？〃　said　Edouard。

〃Nothing：　give　me　the　salts；　quick。〃

She　only　passed　them；　as　it　were；　under　her　own　nostrils；　then　held　them　to　Josephine；　who　was　now　observed　to　be　trembling　all　over。　Rose　contrived　to　make　it　appear　that　this　was　mere　sympathy　on　Josephine's　part。

〃Don't　be　silly；　girls；〃　cried　the　baroness；　cheerfully；　〃there　is　nobody　killed　that　we　care　about。〃

Dr。　Aubertin　read　the　rest　to　himself。

Edouard　fell　into　a　gloomy　silence　and　tortured　himself　about　Camille；　and　Rose's　anxiety　and　agitation。

By　and　by　the　new　servant　brought　in　a　letter。　　It　was　the　long…　expected　one　from　Egypt。

〃Here　is　something　better　than　salts　for　you。　　A　long　letter；　Josephine；　and　all　in　his　own　hand；　so　he　is　safe；　thank　Heaven！　I　was　beginning　to　be　uneasy　again。　　You　frightened　me　for　that　poor　Camille：　but　this　is　worth　a　dozen　Camilles；　this　is　my　son；　I　would　give　my　old　life　for　him。〃〃My　dear　Mother（'Bless　him！'）；　my　dear　wife；　and　my　dear　sister（'Well！　you　sit　there　like　two　rocks！'）　We　have　just　gained　a　battlefifty　colors。　　（'What　do　you　think　of　that？'）　　All　the　enemy's　baggage　and　ammunition　are　in　our　hands。　（'This　is　something　like　a　battle；　this　one。'）　　Also　the　Pasha　of　Natolie。　　（'Ah！　the　Pasha　of　Natolie；　an　important　personage；　no　doubt；　though　I　never　had　the　honor　of　hearing　of　him。　　Do　you　hear？you　on　the　sofa。　　My　son　has　captured　the　Pasha　of　Natolie。　He　is　as　brave　as　Caesar。'）　　But　this　success　is　not　one　of　those　that　lead　to　important　results　（'Never　mind；　a　victory　is　a　victory'）；　and　I　should　not　wonder　if　Bonaparte　was　to　dash　home　any　day。　　If　so；　I　shall　go　with　him；　and　perhaps　spend　a　whole　day　with　you；　on　my　way　to　the　Rhine。〃

At　this　prospect　a　ghastly　look　passed　quick　as　lightning　between　Rose　and　Josephine。

The　baroness　beckoned　Josephine　to　come　close　to　her；　and　read　her　what　followed　in　a　lower　tone　of　voice。

〃Tell　my　wife　I　love　her　more　and　more　every　day。　　I　don't　expect　as　much　from　her；　but　she　will　make　me　very　happy　if　she　can　make　shift　to　like　me　as　well　as　her　family　do。〃〃No　danger！　　What　husband　deserves　to　be　loved　as　he　does？　　I　long　for　his　return；　that　his　wife；　his　mother；　and　his　sister　may　all　combine　to　teach　this　poor　soldier　what　happiness　means。　　We　owe　him　everything；　Josephine；　and　if　we　did　not　love　him；　and　make　him　happy；　we　should　be　monsters；　now　should　we　not？〃

Josephine　stammered　an　assent。

〃NOW　you　may　read　his　letter：　Jacintha　and　all；〃　said　the　baroness　graciously。

The　letter　circulated。　　Meantime；　the　baroness　conversed　with　Aubertin　in　quite　an　undertone。

〃My　friend；　look　at　Josephine。　　That　girl　is　ill；　or　else　she　is　going　to　be　ill。〃

〃Neither　the　one　nor　the　other；　madame；〃　said　Aubertin；　looking　her　coolly　in　the　face。

〃But　I　say　she　is。　　Is　a　doctor's　eye　keener　than　a　mother's？〃

〃Considerably；〃　replied　the　doctor　with　cool　and　enviable　effrontery。

The　baroness　rose。　　〃Now；　children；　for　our　evening　walk。　　We　shall　enjoy　it　now。〃

〃I　trust　you　may：　but　for　all　that　I　must　forbid　the　evening　air　to　one　of　the　partyto　Madame　Raynal。〃

The　baroness　came　to　him　and　whispered；　〃That　is　right。　　Thank　you。　See　what　is　the　matter　with　her；　and　tell　me。〃　　And　she　carried　off　the　rest　of　the　party。

At　the　same　time　Jacintha　asked　permission　to　pass　the　rest　of　the　evening　with　her　relations　in　the　village。　　But　why　that　swift；　quivering　glance　of　intelligence　between　Jacintha　and　Rose　de　Beaurepaire　when　the　baroness　said；　〃Yes；　certainly〃？

Time　will　show。

Josephine　and　the　doctor　were　left　alone。　　Now　Josephine　had　noticed　the　old　people　whisper　and　her　mother　glance　her　way；　and　the　whole　woman　was　on　her　guard。　　She　assumed　a　languid　complacency；　and　by　way　of　shield；　if　necessary；　took　some　work；　and　bent　her　eyes　and　apparently　her　attention　on　it。

The　doctor　was　silent　and　ill　at　ease。

She　saw　he　had　something　weighty　on　his　mind。　　〃The　air　would　have　done　me　no　harm；〃　said　she。

〃Neither　will　a　few　words　with　me。〃

〃Oh；　no；　dear　friend。　　Only　I　think　I　should　have　liked　a　little　walk　this　evening。〃

〃Josephine；〃　said　the　doctor　quietly；　〃when　you　were　a　child　I　saved　your　life。〃

〃I　have　often　heard　my　mother　speak　of　it。　　I　was　choked　by　the　croup；　and　you　had　the　courage　to　lance　my　windpipe。〃

〃Had　I？〃　said　the　doctor；　with　a　smile。　　He　added　gravely；　〃It　seems　then　that　to　be　cruel　is　sometimes　kindness。　　It　is　the　nature　of　men　to　love　those　whose　life　they　save。〃

〃And　they　love　you。〃

〃Well；　our　affection　is　not　perfect。　　I　don't　know　which　is　most　to　blame；　but　after　all　these　years　I　have　failed　to　inspire　you　with　confidence。〃　　The　doctor's　voice　was　sad；　and　Josephine's　bosom　panted。

〃Pray　do　not　say　so；〃　she　cried。　　〃I　would　trust　you　with　my　life。〃

〃But　not　with　your　secret。〃

〃My　secret！　　What　secret？　　I　have　no　secrets。〃

〃Josephine；　you　have　now　for　full　twelve　months　suffered　in　body　and　mind；　yet　you　have　never　come　to　me　for　counsel；　for　comfort；　for　an　old　man's　experience　and　advice；　nor　eve