white lies-第44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！



〃Yes；　colonel；　I　will　go　first　with　Jacintha's　candle。〃　　Edouard　mounted　the　stairs　on　tiptoe。　　Raynal　followed。　　The　solid　stone　steps　did　not　prate。　　The　men　had　mounted　a　considerable　way；　when　puff　a　blast　of　wind　came　through　a　hole；　and　out　went　Edouard's　candle。　　He　turned　sharply　round　to　Raynal。　　〃Peste！〃　said　he　in　a　vicious　whisper。　　But　the　other　laid　his　hand　on　his　shoulder　and　whispered；　〃Look　to　the　front。〃　　He　looked；　and；　his　own　candle　being　out；　saw　a　glimmer　on　ahead。　　He　crept　towards　it。　　It　was　a　taper　shooting　a　feeble　light　across　a　small　aperture。　　They　caught　a　glimpse　of　what　seemed　to　be　a　small　apartment。　　Yet　Edouard　recognized　the　carpet　of　the　tapestried　roomwhich　was　a　very　large　room。　　Creeping　a　yard　nearer；　he　discovered　that　it　was　the　tapestried　room；　and　that　what　had　seemed　the　further　wall　was　only　the　screen；　behind　which　were　lights；　and　two　women　singing　a　duet。

He　whispered　to　Raynal；　〃It　is　the　tapestried　room。〃

〃Is　it　a　sitting…room？〃　whispered　Raynal。

〃Yes！　yes！　　Mind　and　not　knock　your　foot　against　the　wood。〃

And　Raynal　went　softly　up　and　put　his　foot　quietly　through　the　aperture；　which　he　now　saw　was　made　by　a　panel　drawn　back　close　to　the　ground；　and　stood　in　the　tapestried　chamber。　　The　carpet　was　thick；　the　voices　favored　the　stealthy　advance；　the　floor　of　the　old　house　was　like　a　rock；　and　Edouard　put　his　face　through　the　aperture；　glowing　all　over　with　anticipation　of　the　little　scream　of　joy　that　would　welcome　his　friend　dropping　in　so　nice　and　suddenly　from　Egypt。

The　feeling　was　rendered　still　more　piquant　by　a　sharp　curiosity　that　had　been　growing　on　him　for　some　minutes　past。　　For　why　was　this　passage　opened　to…night？he　had　never　seen　it　opened　before。　And　why　was　Jacintha　lying　sentinel　at　the　foot　of　the　stairs？

But　this　was　not　all。　　Now　that　they　were　in　the　room　both　men　became　conscious　of　another　sound　besides　the　ladies'　voicesa　very　peculiar　sound。　　It　also　came　from　behind　the　screen。　　They　both　heard　it；　and　showed；　by　the　puzzled　looks　they　cast　at　one　another；　that　neither　could　make　out　what　on　earth　it　was。　　It　consisted　of　a　succession　of　little　rustles；　followed　by　little　thumps　on　the　floor。

But　what　was　curious；　too；　this　rustle；　thumprustle；　thumpfell　exactly　into　the　time　of　the　music；　so　that；　clearly；　either　the　rustle　thump　was　being　played　to　the　tune；　or　the　tune　sung　to　the　rustle　thump。

This　last　touch　of　mystery　inflamed　Edouard's　impatience　beyond　bearing：　he　pointed　eagerly　and　merrily　to　the　corner　of　the　screen。　Raynal　obeyed；　and　stepped　very　slowly　and　cautiously　towards　it。

Rustle；　thump！　rustle；　thump！　rustle；　thump！　with　the　rhythm　of　harmonious　voices。

Edouard　got　his　head　and　foot　into　the　room　without　taking　his　eye　off　Raynal。

Rustle；　thump！　rustle；　thump！　rustle；　thump！

Raynal　was　now　at　the　screen；　and　quietly　put　his　head　round　it；　and　his　hand　upon　it。

Edouard　was　bursting　with　expectation。

No　result。　　What　is　this？　　Don't　they　see　him？　　Why　does　he　not　speak　to　them？　　He　seems　transfixed。

Rustle；　thump！　rustle；　thump；　accompanied　now　for　a　few　notes　by　one　voice　only；　Rose's。

Suddenly　there　burst　a　shriek　from　Josephine；　so　loud；　so　fearful；　that　it　made　even　Raynal　stagger　back　a　step；　the　screen　in　his　hand。

Then　another　scream　of　terror　and　anguish　from　Rose。　　Then　a　fainter　cry；　and　the　heavy　helpless　fall　of　a　human　body。

Raynal　sprang　forward　whirling　the　screen　to　the　earth　in　terrible　agitation；　and　Edouard　bounded　over　it　as　it　fell　at　his　feet。　　He　did　not　take　a　second　step。　　The　scene　that　caught　his　eye　stupefied　and　paralyzed　him　in　full　career；　and　froze　him　to　the　spot　with　amazement　and　strange　misgivings。


CHAPTER　XIX。


To　return　for　a　moment　to　Rose。　　She　parted　from　Edouard；　and　went　in　at　the　front　door：　but　the　next　moment　she　opened　it　softly　and　watched　her　lover　unseen。　　〃Dear　Edouard！〃　she　murmured：　and　then　she　thought；　〃how　sad　it　is　that　I　must　deceive　him；　even　to…night：　must　make　up　an　excuse　to　get　him　from　me；　when　we　were　so　happy　together。　　Ah！　he　little　knows　how　I　shall　welcome　our　wedding…day。　When　once　I　can　see　my　poor　martyr　on　the　road　to　peace　and　content　under　the　good　doctor's　care。　　And　oh！　the　happiness　of　having　no　more　secrets　from　him　I　love！　　Dear　Edouard！　when　once　we　are　married；　I　never；　never；　will　have　a　secret　from　you　againI　swear　it。〃

As　a　comment　on　these　words　she　now　stepped　cautiously　out；　and　peered　in　every　direction。

〃Stst！〃　she　whispered。　　No　answer　came　to　this　signal。

Rose　returned　into　the　house　and　bolted　the　door　inside。　　She　went　up　to　the　tapestried　room；　and　found　the　doctor　in　the　act　of　wishing　Josephine　good…night。　　The　baroness；　fatigued　a　little　by　her　walk；　had　mounted　no　higher　than　her　own　bedroom；　which　was　on　the　first　floor　just　under　the　tapestried　room。　　Rose　followed　the　doctor　out。　　〃Dear　friend；　one　word。　　Josephine　talked　of　telling　Raynal。　　You　have　not　encouraged　her　to　do　that？〃

〃Certainly　not；　while　he　is　in　Egypt。〃

〃Still　less　on　his　return。　　Doctor；　you　don't　know　that　man。　Josephine　does　not　know　him。　　But　I　do。　　He　would　kill　her　if　he　knew。　　He　would　kill　her　that　minute。　　He　would　not　wait：　he　would　not　listen　to　excuses：　he　is　a　man　of　iron。　　Or　if　he　spared　her　he　would　kill　Camille：　and　that　would　destroy　her　by　the　cruellest　of　all　deaths！　　My　friend；　I　am　a　wicked；　miserable　girl。　　I　am　the　cause　of　all　this　misery！〃

She　then　told　Aubertin　all　about　the　anonymous　letter；　and　what　Raynal　had　said　to　her　in　consequence。

〃He　never　would　have　married　her　had　he　known　she　loved　another。　　He　asked　me　was　it　so。　　I　told　him　a　falsehood。　　At　least　I　equivocated；　and　to　equivocate　with　one　so　loyal　and　simple　was　to　deceive　him。　　I　am　the　only　sinner：　that　sweet　angel　is　the　only　sufferer。　　Is　this　the　justice　of　Heaven？　　Doctor；　my　remorse　is　great。　　No　one　knows　what　I　feel　when　I　look　at　my　work。　　Edouard　thinks　I　love　her　so　much　better　than　I　do　him。　　He　is　wrong：　it　is　not　love　only；　it　is　pity：　it　is　remorse　for　the　sorrow　I　have　brought　on　her；　and　the　wrong　I　have　done　poor　Raynal。〃

The　high…spirited　girl　was　greatly　agitated：　and　Aubertin；　though　he　did　not　acquit　her　of　all　blame；　soothed　her；　and　made　excuses　for　her。

〃We　must　not　always　judge　by　results；〃　said　he。　　〃Things　turned　unfortunately。　　You　did　for　the　best。　　I　forgive　you　for　one。　　That　is；　I　will　forgive　you　if　you　promise　not　to　act　again　without　my　advice。〃

〃Oh；　never！　never！〃

〃And；　above　all；　no　imprudence　about　that　child。　　In　three　little　weeks　they　will　be　together　without　risk　of　discovery。　　Well；　you　don't　answer　me。〃

Rose's　blood　turned　cold。　　〃Dear　friend；〃　she　stammered；　〃I　quite　agree　with　you。〃

〃Promise；　then。〃

〃Not　to　let　Josephine　go　to　Frejus？〃　said　Rose　hastily。　　〃Oh；　yes！　I　promise。〃

〃You　are　a　good　girl；〃　said　Aubertin。　　〃You　have　a　will　of　your　own。　But　you　can　submit　to　age　and　experience。〃　　The　doctor　then　kissed　her；　and　bade　her　farewell。

〃I　leave　for　Paris　at　six　in　the　morning；〃　he　said。　　〃I　will　not　try　your　patience　or　hers　unnecessarily。　　Perhaps　it　will　not　be　three　weeks　ere　she　sees　her　child　under　her　friend's　roof。〃

The　moment　Rose　was　alone；　she　sat　down　and　sighed　bitterly。　　〃There　is　no　end　to　it；〃　she　sobbed　despairingly。　　〃It　is　like　a　spider's　web：　every　struggle　to　be　free　but　multiplies　the　fine　yet　irresistible　thread　that　seems　to　bind　me。　　And　to…night　I　thought　to　be　so　happy；　instead　of　that；　he　has　left　me　scarce　the　heart　to　do　what　I　have　to　do。〃

She　went　back　to　the　room；　opened　a　window；　and　put　out　a　white　handkerchief；　then　closed　the　window　down　on　it。

Then　she　went　to　Josephine's　bedroom…door：　it　opened　on　the　tapestried　room。

〃Josephine；〃　she　cried；　〃don't　go　to　bed　just　yet。〃

〃No；　love。　　What　are　you　doing？　　I　want　to　talk　to　you。　　Why　did　you　say　promise？　and　what　did　you　mean　by　looking　at　me　so？　　Shall　I　come　out　to　you？〃

〃Not　just　yet；〃　said　Rose；　she　then　glided　into　the　corridor；　and　passed　her　mother's　room　and　the　doctor's；　and　listened　to　see　if　all　was　quiet。　　While　she　was　gone　Josephine　opened　her　door；　but　not　seeing　Rose　in　the　sitting…room；　retired　again。

Rose　returned　softly；　and　sat　down　with　her　head　in　her　hand；　in　a　calm　attitude　belied　by　her　glancing　eye；　and　the　quick　tapping　of　her　other　hand　upon　the　table。

Presently　she　raised　her　head　quickly；　a　sound　had　reached　her　ear；　a　sound　so　slight　that　none　but　a　high…strung　ear　could　have　caught　it。　　It　was　like　a　mouse　giving　a　single　scratch　against　a　stone　wall。

Rose　coughed　slightly。

On　this　a　clearer　sound　was　heard；　as　of　a　person　scratching　wood　with　the　finger…nail。　　Rose　darted　to　the　side　of　the　room；　pressed　against　the　wall；　and　at　the　same　time　put　her　other　hand　against　the　rim　of　one　of　the　panels　and　pushed　it　laterally；　it　yielded；　and　at　the　opening　stood　Jacintha　in　her　cloak　and　bonnet。

〃Yes；〃　said　Jacintha；　〃under　my　cloaklook！〃

〃Ah！　you　found　the　things　on　the　steps？〃

〃Yes！　I　nearly　tumbled　over　them。　　Have　you　locked　that　door？〃

〃No；　but　I　will。〃　　And　Rose　glided　to　the　door　and　locked　it。　　Then　she　put　the　screen　up　between　Josephine's　room　and　the　open　panel：　then　she　and　Jacintha　were　wonderfully　busy　on　the　other　side　the　screen；　but　presently　Rose　said；　〃This　is　imprudent；　you　must　go　down　to　the　foot　of　the　stairs　and　wait　till　I　call　you。〃

Jacintha　pleaded　hard　against　this　arrangement；　and　represented　that　there　was　no　earthly　chance　of　any　one　coming　to　that　part　of　the　chateau。

〃No　matter；　I　will　be　guarded　on　every　side。〃

〃Mustn't　I　stop　and　just　see　her　happy　for　once？〃

〃No；　my　poor　Jacintha；　you　must　hear　it　from　my　lips。〃

Jacintha　retired　to　keep　watch　as　she　was　bid。　　Rose　went　to　Josephine's　room；　and　threw　her　arms　round　her　neck　and　kissed　her　vehemently。　　Josephine　returned　her　embrace；　then　held　her　out　at　arm's　length　and　looked　at　her。

〃Your　eyes　are　red；　yet　your　little　face　is　full　of　joy。　　There；　you　smile。〃

〃I　can't　help　that；　I　am　so　happy。〃

〃I　am　glad　of　it。　　Are　you　coming　to　bed？〃

〃Not　yet。　　I　invite　you　to　take　a　little　walk　with　me　first。　　Come！〃　and　she　led　the　way　slowly；　looking　back　with　infinite　archness　and　tenderness。

〃You　almost　frighten　me；〃　said　Josephine；　〃it　is　not　like　you　to　be　all　joy　when　I　am　sad。　　Three　whole　weeks　more！〃

〃That　is　it。　　Why　are　you　sad？　because　the　doctor　would　not　let　you　go　to　Frejus。　　And　why　am　I　not　sad？　because　I　had　already　thought　of　a　way　to　let　you　see　Edouard　without　going　so　far。〃

〃Rose！　O　Rose！　O　Rose！〃

〃This　waycome！〃　and　she　smiled　and　beckoned　with　her　finger；　while　Josephine　followed　like　one　under　a　spell；　her　bosom　heaving；　her　eye　glancing　on　every　side；　hoping　some　strange　joy；　yet　scarce　daring　to　hope。

Rose　drew　back　the　screen；　and　there　was　a　sweet　little　berceau　that　had　once　been　Josephine's　own；　and　in　it；　sunk　deep　in　snow…white　lawn；　was　a　sleeping　child；　that　lay　there　looking　as　a　rose　might　look　could　it　fall　upon　new…fallen　snow。

At　sight　of　it　Josephine　uttered　a　little　cry；　not　loud　but　deep　ay；　a　cry　to　bring　tears　into　the　eye　of　the　hearer；　and　she　stood　trembling　from　head　to　foot；　her　hands　clasped；　and　her　eye　fascinate