white lies-第57章

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give　him　his　poor　Josephine's　boy；　and　you　will　say　to　him；　'She　never　loved　but　you：　she　gives　you　all　that　is　left　of　her；　her　child。　　She　only　prays　you　not　to　give　him　a　bad　mother。'〃

Poor　soul！　this　was　her　one　bit　of　little；　gentle　jealousy；　but　it　made　her　eyes　stream。　　She　would　have　put　out　her　hand　from　the　tomb　to　keep　her　boy's　father　single　all　his　life。

〃Oh！　my　Josephine；　my　darling　sister；〃　cried　Rose；　〃why　do　you　speak　of　death？　　Do　you　meditate　a　crime？〃

〃No；　but　it　was　on　my　heart　to　say　it：　it　has　done　me　good。〃

〃At　least；　take　me　to　your　bosom；　my　well…beloved；　that　I　may　not　SEE　your　tears。〃

〃Theretears？　　No；　you　have　lightened　my　heart。　　Bless　you！　bless　you！〃

The　sisters　twined　their　bosoms　together　in　a　long；　gentle　embrace。　You　might　have　taken　them　for　two　angels　that　flowed　together　in　one　love；　but　for　their　tears。

A　deep　voice　was　now　heard　in　the　sitting…room。

Josephine　and　Rose　postponed　the　inevitable　one　moment　more；　by　arranging　their　hair　in　the　glass：　then　they　opened　the　door；　and　entered　the　tapestried　room。

Raynal　was　sitting　on　the　sofa；　the　baroness's　hand　in　his。　　Edouard　was　not　there。

Colonel　Raynal　had　given　him　a　strange　look；　and　said；　〃What；　you　here？〃　in　a　tone　of　voice　that　was　intolerable。

Raynal　came　to　meet　the　sisters。　　He　saluted　Josephine　on　the　brow。

〃You　are　pale；　wife：　and　how　cold　her　hand　is。〃

〃She　has　been　ill　this　month　past；〃　said　Rose　interposing。

〃You　look　ill；　too；　Mademoiselle　Rose。〃

〃Never　mind；〃　cried　the　baroness　joyously；　〃you　will　revive　them　both。〃

Raynal　made　no　reply　to　that。

〃How　long　do　you　stay　this　time；　a　day？〃

〃A　month；　mother。〃

The　doctor　now　joined　the　party；　and　friendly　greetings　passed　between　him　and　Raynal。

But　ere　long　somehow　all　became　conscious　this　was　not　a　joyful　meeting。　　The　baroness　could　not　alone　sustain　the　spirits　of　the　party；　and　soon　even　she　began　to　notice　that　Raynal's　replies　were　short；　and　that　his　manner　was　distrait　and　gloomy。　　The　sisters　saw　this　too；　and　trembled　for　what　might　be　coming。

At　last　Raynal　said　bluntly；　〃Josephine；　I　want　to　speak　to　you　alone。〃

The　baroness　gave　the　doctor　a　look；　and　made　an　excuse　for　going　down…stairs　to　her　own　room。　　As　she　was　going　Josephine　went　to　her　and　said　calmly；

〃Mother；　you　have　not　kissed　me　to…day。〃

〃There！　　Bless　you；　my　darling！〃

Raynal　looked　at　Rose。　　She　saw　she　must　go；　but　she　lingered；　and　sought　her　sister's　eye：　it　avoided　her。　　At　that　Rose　ran　to　the　doctor；　who　was　just　going　out　of　the　door。

〃Oh！　doctor；〃　she　whispered　trembling；　〃don't　go　beyond　the　door。　　I　found　her　praying。　　My　mind　misgives　me。　　She　is　going　to　tell　him　or　something　worse。〃

〃What　do　you　mean？〃

〃I　am　afraid　to　say　all　I　dread。　　She　could　not　be　so　calm　if　she　meant　to　live。　　Be　near！　as　I　shall。　　She　has　a　phial　hid　in　her　bosom。〃

She　left　the　old　man　trembling；　and　went　back。

〃Excuse　me；〃　said　she　to　Raynal；　〃I　only　came　to　ask　Josephine　if　she　wants　anything。〃

〃No！yes！a　glass　of　eau　sucree。〃

Rose　mixed　it　for　her。　　While　doing　this　she　noticed　that　Josephine　shunned　her　eye；　but　Raynal　gazed　gently　and　with　an　air　of　pity　on　her。

She　retired　slowly　into　Josephine's　bedroom；　but　did　not　quite　close　the　door。

Raynal　had　something　to　say　so　painful　that　he　shrank　from　plunging　into　it。　　He　therefore；　like　many　others；　tried　to　creep　into　it；　beginning　with　something　else。

〃Your　health；〃　said　he；　〃alarms　me。　　You　seem　sad；　too。　　I　don't　understand　that。　　You　have　no　news　from　the　Rhine；　have　you？〃

〃Monsieur！〃　said　Josephine　scared。

〃Do　not　call　me　monsieur；　nor　look　so　frightened。　　Call　me　your　friend。　　I　am　your　sincere　friend。〃

〃Oh；　yes；　you　always　were。〃

〃Thank　you。　　You　will　give　me　a　dearer　title　before　we　part　this　time。〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Josephine　in　a　low　whisper；　and　shuddered。

〃Have　you　forgiven　me　frightening　you　so　that　night？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃It　was　a　shock　to　me；　too；　I　can　tell　you。　　I　like　the　boy。　　She　professed　to　love　him；　and；　to　own　the　truth；　I　loathe　all　treachery　and　deceit。　　If　I　had　done　a　murder；　I　would　own　it。　　A　lie　doubles　every　crime。　　But　I　took　heart；　we　are　all　selfish；　we　men；　of　the　two　sisters　one　was　all　innocence　and　good　faith；　and　she　was　the　one　I　had　chosen。〃

At　these　words　Josephine　rose；　like　a　statue　moving；　and　took　a　phial　from　her　bosom　and　poured　the　contents　into　the　glass。

But　ere　she　could　drink　it；　if　such　was　her　intention；　Raynal；　with　his　eyes　gloomily　lowered；　said；　in　a　voice　full　of　strange　solemnity；

〃I　went　to　the　army　of　the　Rhine。〃

Josephine　put　down　the　glass　directly；　though　without　removing　her　hand　from　it。

〃I　see　you　understand　me；　and　approve。　　Yes；　I　saw　that　your　sister　would　be　dishonored；　and　I　went　to　the　army　and　saw　her　seducer。〃

〃You　saw　HIM。　　Oh；　I　hope　you　did　not　go　and　speak　to　him　ofof　this？〃

〃Why；　of　course　I　did。〃

Josephine　resolved　to　know　the　worst　at　once。　　〃May　I　ask；〃　said　she；　〃what　you　told　him？〃

〃Why；　I　told　him　all　I　had　discovered；　and　pointed　out　the　course　he　must　take；　he　must　marry　your　sister　at　once。　　He　refused。　　I　challenged　him。　　But　ere　we　met；　I　was　ordered　to　lead　a　forlorn　hope　against　a　bastion。　　Then；　seeing　me　go　to　certain　death；　the　noble　fellow　pitied　me。　　I　mean　this　is　how　I　understood　it　all　at　the　time；　at　any　rate；　he　promised　to　marry　Rose　if　he　should　live。〃

Josephine　put　out　her　hand；　and　with　a　horrible　smile　said；　〃I　thank　you；　you　have　saved　the　honor　of　our　family；〃　and　with　no　more　ado；　she　took　the　glass　in　her　hand　to　drink　the　fatal　contents。

But　Raynal's　reply　arrested　her　hand。　　He　said　solemnly；　〃No；　I　have　not。　　Have　you　no　inkling　of　the　terrible　truth？　　Do　not　fiddle　with　that　glass：　drink　it；　or　leave　it　alone；　for；　indeed；　I　need　all　your　attention。〃

He　took　the　glass　out　of　her　patient　hand；　and　with　a　furtive　look　at　the　bedroom…door；　drew　her　away　to　the　other　end　of　the　room；　〃and；〃　said　he；　〃I　could　not　tell　your　mother；　for　she　knows　nothing　of　the　girl's　folly；　still　less　Rose；　for　I　see　she　loves　him　still；　or　why　is　she　so　pale？　　Advise　me；　now；　whilst　we　are　alone。　Colonel　Dujardin　was　COMPARATIVELY　indifferent　to　YOU。　　Will　you　undertake　the　task？　　A　rough　soldier　like　me　is　not　the　person　to　break　the　terrible　tidings　to　that　poor　girl。〃

〃What　tidings？　　You　confuse；　you　perplex　me。　　Oh！　what　does　this　horrible　preparation　mean？〃

〃It　means　he　will　never　marry　your　sister；　he　will　never　see　her　more。〃

Then　Raynal　walked　the　room　in　great　agitation；　which　at　once　communicated　itself　to　his　hearer。　　But　the　loving　heart　is　ingenious　in　avoiding　its　dire　misgivings。

〃I　see；〃　said　she；　〃he　told　you　he　would　never　visit　Beaurepaire　again。　　He　was　right。〃

Raynal　shook　his　head　sorrowfully。

〃Ah；　Josephine；　you　are　far　from　the　truth。　　I　was　to　attack　the　bastion。　　It　was　mined　by　the　enemy；　and　he　knew　it。　　He　took　advantage　of　my　back　being　turned。　　He　led　his　men　out　of　the　trenches；　he　assaulted　the　bastion　at　the　head　of　his　brigade。　　He　took　it。〃

〃Ah；　it　was　noble；　it　was　like　him。〃

〃The　enemy；　retiring；　blew　the　bastion　into　the　air；　and　Dujardin　is　dead。〃

〃Dead！〃　said　Josephine；　in　stupefied　tones；　as　if　the　word　conveyed　no　meaning　to　her　mind；　benumbed　and　stunned　by　the　blow。

〃Don't　speak　so　loud；〃　said　Raynal；　〃I　hear　the　poor　girl　at　the　door。　　Ay；　he　took　my　place；　and　is　dead。〃

〃Dead！〃

〃Swallowed　up　in　smoke　and　flames；　overwhelmed　and　crushed　under　the　ruins。〃

Josephine's　whole　body　gave　way；　and　heaved　like　a　tree　falling　under　the　axe。　　She　sank　slowly　to　her　knees；　and　low　moans　of　agony　broke　from　her　at　intervals。　　〃Dead；　dead；　dead！〃

〃Is　it　not　terrible？〃　he　cried。

She　did　not　see　him　nor　hear　him；　but　moaned　out　wildly；　〃Dead；　dead；　dead！〃　　The　bedroom…door　was　opened。

She　shrieked　with　sudden　violence；　〃Dead！　ah；　pity！　the　glass！　the　composing　draught。〃　　She　stretched　her　hands　out　wildly。　　Raynal；　with　a　face　full　of　concern；　ran　to　the　table；　and　got　the　glass。　She　crawled　on　her　knees　to　meet　it；　he　brought　it　quickly　to　her　hand。

〃There；　my　poor　soul！〃

Even　as　their　hands　met；　Rose　threw　herself　on　the　cup；　and　snatched　it　with　fury　from　them　both。　　She　was　white　as　ashes；　and　her　eyes；　supernaturally　large；　glared　on　Raynal　with　terror。　　〃Madman！〃　she　cried；　〃would　you　kill　her？〃

He　glared　back　on　her：　what　did　this　mean？　　Their　eyes　were　fixed　on　each　other　like　combatants　for　life　and　death；　they　did　not　see　that　the　room　was　filling　with　people；　that　the　doctor　was　only　on　the　other　side　of　the　table；　and　that　the　baroness　and　Edouard　were　at　the　door；　and　all　looking　wonderstruck　at　this　strange　sight　Josephine　on　her　knees；　and　those　two　facing　each　other；　white；　with　dilating　eyes；　the　glass　between　them。

But　what　was　that　to　the　horror；　when　the　next　moment　the　patient　Josephine　started　to　her　feet；　and；　standing　in　the　midst；　tore　her　hair　by　handfuls；　out　of　her　head。

〃Ah；　you　snatch　the　kind　poison　from　me！〃

〃Poison！〃

〃Poison！〃

〃Poison！〃　cried　the　others；　horror…stricken。

〃Ah！　you　won't　let　me　die。　　Curse　you　all！　curse　you！　　I　never　had　my　own　way　in　anything。　　I　was　always　a　slave　and　a　fool。　　I　have　murdered　the　man　I　loveI　love。　　Yes；　my　husband；　do　you　hear？　the　man　I　love。〃

〃Hush！　daughter；　respect　my　gray　hairs。〃

〃Your　gray　hairs！　　You　are　not　so　old　in　years　as　I　am　in　agony。　　So　this　is　your　love；　Rose！　　Ah；　you　won't　let　me　diewon't　you？　　THEN　I'LL　DO　WORSEI'LL　TELL。〃

〃He　who　is　dead；　you　have　murdered　him　amongst　you；　and　I'll　follow　him　in　spite　of　you　allhe　was　my　betrothed。　　He　struggled　wounded；　bleeding；　to　my　feet。　　He　found　me　married。　　News　came　of　my　husband's　death；　I　married　my　betrothed。〃

〃Married　him！〃　exclaimed　the　baroness。

〃Ah；　my　poor　mother。　　And　she　kissed　me　so　kindly　just　nowshe　will　kiss　me　no　more。　　Oh；　I　am　not　ashamed　of　marrying　him。　　I　am　only　ashamed　of　the　cowardice　that　dared　not　do　it　in　face　of　all　the　world。　　We　had　scarce　been　happy　a　fortnight；　when　a　letter　came　from　Colonel　Raynal。　　He　was　alive。　　I　drove　my　true　husband　away；　wretch　that　I　was。　　None　but　bad　women　have　an　atom　of　sense。　　I　tried　to　do　my　duty　to　my　legal　husband。　　He　was　my　benefactor。　　I　thought　it　was　my　duty。　　Was　it？　　I　don't　know：　I　have　lost　the　sense　of　right　and　wrong。　　I　turned　from　a　living　creature　to　a　lie。　He　who　had　scattered　benefits　on　me　and　all　this　house；　he　whom　it　was　too　little　to　love；　he　ought　to　have　been　adored：　this　man　came　here　one　night　to　wife　proud；　joyous；　and　warm…hearted。　　He　found　a　cradle；　and　two　women　watching　it。　　Now　Edouard；　now　MONSIEUR；　do　you　see　that　life　is　IMPOSSIBLE　to　me？　　One　bravely　accused　herself：　she　was　innocent。　　One　swooned　away　like　a　guilty　coward。〃

Edouard　uttered　an　exclamation。

〃Yes；　Edouard；　you　shall　not　be　miserable　like　me；　she　was　guilty。　You　do　not　understand　me　yet；　my　poor　motherand　she　was　so　happy　this　morningI　was　the　liar；　the　coward；　the　double…faced　wife；　the　miserable　mother　that　denied　her　child。　　Now　will　you　let　me　die？　Now　do　you　see　that　I　can't　and　won't　live　upon　shame　and　despair？　Ah；　Monsieur　Raynal；　my　dear　friend；　you　were　always　generous：　you　will　pity　and　kill　me。　　I　have　dis