white lies-第9章

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　rude　to　run　when　a　lady　told　him　to　stand　still。　　All　he　did　was　to　crush　his　face　into　his　two　hands；　round　which　his　cheeks　and　neck　now　blushed　red　as　blood。　　Blush？　they　could　both　see　the　color　rush　like　a　wave　to　the　very　roots　of　his　hair　and　the　tips　of　his　fingers。

The　moment　our　heroines；　who；　in　that　desperation　which　is　one　of　the　forms　of　cowardice；　had　hurled　themselves　on　the　foe；　saw　this；　flashthe　quick…witted　poltroons　exchanged　purple　lightning　over　Edouard's　drooping　head；　and　enacted　lionesses　in　a　moment。

It　was　with　the　quiet　composure　of　lofty　and　powerful　natures　that　Josephine　opened　on　him。　　〃Compose　yourself；　sir；　and　be　so　good　as　to　tell　us　who　you　are。〃　　Edouard　must　answer。　　Now　he　could　not　speak　through　his　hands；　and　he　could　not　face　a　brace　of　tranquil　lionesses：　so　he　took　a　middle　course；　removed　one　hand；　and　shading　himself　from　Josephine　with　the　other；　he　gasped　out；　〃I　ammy　name　is　Riviere；　and　IIladies！〃

〃I　am　afraid　we　frighten　you；〃　said　Josephine；　demurely。

〃Don't　be　frightened；〃　said　Rose；　majestically；　〃we　are　not　VERY　angry；　only　a　LITTLE　curious　to　know　why　you　water　our　flowers　with　gold。〃

At　this　point…blank　thrust；　and　from　her；　Edouard　was　so　confounded　and　distressed；　they　both　began　to　pity　him。　　He　stammered　out　that　he　was　so　confused　he　did　not　know　what　to　say。　　He　couldn't　think　how　ever　he　could　have　taken　such　a　liberty；　might　he　be　permitted　to　retire？　and　with　this　he　tried　to　slip　away。

〃Let　me　detain　you　one　instant；〃　said　Josephine；　and　made　for　the　house。

Left　alone　so　suddenly　with　the　culprit；　the　dignity；　and　majesty；　and　valor　of　Rose　seemed　to　ooze　gently　out；　and　she　stood　blushing；　and　had　not　a　word　to　say；　no　more　had　Edouard。　　But　he　hung　his　head；　and　she　hung　her　head。　　And；　somehow　or　other；　whenever　she　raised　her　eyes　to　glance　at　him；　he　raised　his　to　steal　a　look　at　her；　and　mutual　discomfiture　resulted。

This　awkward；　embarrassing　delirium　was　interrupted　by　Josephine's　return。　　She　now　held　another　purse　in　her　hand；　and　quietly　poured　the　rest　of　the　coin　into　it。　　She　then；　with　a　blush；　requested　him　to　take　back　the　money。

At　that　he　found　his　tongue。　　〃No；　no；〃　he　cried；　and　put　up　his　hands　in　supplication。　　〃Ladies；　do　let　me　speak　ONE　word　to　you。　Do　not　reject　my　friendship。　　You　are　alone　in　the　world；　your　father　is　dead；　your　mother　has　but　you　to　lean　on。　　After　all；　I　am　your　neighbor；　and　neighbors　should　be　friends。　　And　I　am　your　debtor；　I　owe　you　more　than　you　could　ever　owe　me；　for　ever　since　I　came　into　this　neighborhood　I　have　been　happy。　　No　man　was　ever　so　happy　as　I；　ever　since　one　day　I　was　walking；　and　met　for　the　first　time　an　angel。　　I　don't　say　it　was　you；　Mademoiselle　Rose。　　It　might　be　Mademoiselle　Josephine。〃

〃How　pat　he　has　got　our　names；〃　said　Rose；　smiling。

〃A　look　from　that　angel　has　made　me　so　good；　so　happy。　　I　used　to　vegetate；　but　now　I　live。　　Live！　　I　walk　on　wings；　and　tread　on　roses。　　Yet　you　insist　on　declining　a　few　miserable　louis　d'or　from　him　who　owes　you　so　much。　　Well；　don't　be　angry；　I'll　take　them　back；　and　throw　them　into　the　nearest　pond；　for　they　are　really　no　use　to　me。　　But　then　you　will　be　generous　in　your　turn。　　You　will　accept　my　devotion；　my　services。　　You　have　no　brother；　you　know；　well；　I　have　no　sisters；　let　me　be　your　brother；　and　your　servant　forever。〃

At　all　this；　delivered　in　as　many　little　earnest　pants　as　there　were　sentences；　the　water　stood　in　the　fair　eyes　he　was　looking　into　so　piteously。

Josephine　was　firm；　but　angelical。　　〃We　thank　you；　Monsieur　Riviere；〃　said　she；　softly；　〃for　showing　us　that　the　world　is　still　embellished　with　hearts　like　yours。　　Here　is　the　money；〃　and　she　held　it　out　in　her　creamy　hand。

〃But　we　are　very　grateful；〃　put　in　Rose；　softly　and　earnestly。

〃That　we　are；〃　said　Josephine；　〃and　we　beg　to　keep　the　purse　as　a　souvenir　of　one　who　tried　to　do　us　a　kindness　without　mortifying　us。　And　now；　Monsieur　Riviere；　you　will　permit　us　to　bid　you　adieu。〃

Edouard　was　obliged　to　take　the　hint。　　〃It　is　I　who　am　the　intruder；〃　said　he。　　〃Mesdemoiselles；　conceive；　if　you　can；　my　pride　and　my　disappointment。〃　　He　then　bowed　low；　they　courtesied　low　to　him　in　return；　and　he　retired　slowly　in　a　state　of　mixed　feeling　indescribable。

With　all　their　sweetness　and　graciousness；　he　felt　overpowered　by　their　high　breeding；　their　reserve；　and　their　composure；　in　a　situation　that　had　set　his　heart　beating　itself　nearly　out　of　his　bosom。　　He　acted　the　scene　over　again；　only　much　more　adroitly；　and　concocted　speeches　for　past　use；　and　was　very　hot　and　very　cold　by　turns。

I　wish　he　could　have　heard　what　passed　between　the　sisters　as　soon　as　ever　he　was　out　of　earshot。　　It　would　have　opened　his　eyes；　and　given　him　a　little　peep　into　what　certain　writers　call　〃the　sex。〃

〃Poor　boy；〃　murmured　Josephine；　〃he　has　gone　away　unhappy。〃

〃Oh；　I　dare　say　he　hasn't　gone　far；〃　replied　Rose；　gayly。　　〃I　shouldn't　if　I　was　a　boy。〃

Josephine　held　up　her　finger　like　an　elder　sister；　then　went　on　to　say　she　really　hardly　knew　why　she　had　dismissed　him。

〃Well；　dear；〃　said　Rose；　dryly；　〃since　you　admit　so　much；　I　must　say　I　couldn't　help　thinkingwhile　you　were　doing　itwe　were　letting　'the　poor　boy'　off　ridiculously　cheap。〃

〃At　least　I　did　my　duty？〃　suggested　Josephine；　inquiringly。

〃Magnificently；　you　overawed　even　me。　　So　now　to　business；　as　the　gentlemen　say。　　Which　of　us　two　takes　him？〃

〃Takes　whom？〃　inquired　Josephine；　opening　her　lovely　eyes。

〃Edouard；〃　murmured　Rose；　lowering　hers。

Josephine　glared　on　the　lovely　minx　with　wonder　and　comical　horror。

〃Oh！　you　shall　have　him；〃　said　Rose；　〃if　you　like。　　You　are　the　eldest；　you　know。〃

〃Fie！〃

〃Do　now；　TO　OBLIGE　ME。〃

〃For　shame！　Rose。　　Is　this　you？　talking　like　that！〃

〃Oh！　there's　no　compulsion；　dear；　I　never　force　young　ladies'　inclinations。　　So　you　decline　him？〃

〃Of　course　I　decline　him。〃

〃Then；　oh；　you　dear；　darling　Josephine；　this　is　the　prettiest　present　you　ever　made　me；〃　and　she　kissed　her　vehemently。

Josephine　was　frightened　now。　　She　held　Rose　out　at　arm's　length　with　both　hands；　and　looked　earnestly　into　her；　and　implored　her　not　to　play　with　fire。　　〃Take　warning　by　me。〃

Rose　recommended　her　to　keep　her　pity　for　Monsieur　Riviere；　〃who　had　fallen　into　nice　hands；〃　she　said。　　That　no　doubt　might　remain　on　that　head；　she　whispered　mysteriously；　but　with　much　gravity　and　conviction；　〃I　am　an　Imp；〃　and　aimed　at　Josephine　with　her　forefinger　to　point　the　remark。　　For　one　second　she　stood　and　watched　this　important　statement　sink　into　her　sister's　mind；　then　set…to　and　gambolled　elfishly　round　her　as　she　moved　stately　and　thoughtful　across　the　grass　to　the　chateau。

Two　days　after　this　a　large　tree　was　blown　down　in　Beaurepaire　park；　and　made　quite　a　gap　in　the　prospect。　　You　never　know　what　a　big　thing　a　leafy　tree　is　till　it　comes　down。　　And　this　ill　wind　blew　Edouard　good；　for　it　laid　bare　the　chateau　to　his　inquiring　telescope。　　He　had　not　gazed　above　half　an　hour；　when　a　female　figure　emerged　from　the　chateau。　　His　heart　beat。　　It　was　only　Jacintha。　　He　saw　her　look　this　way　and　that；　and　presently　Dard　appeared；　and　she　sent　him　with　his　axe　to　the　fallen　tree。　　Edouard　watched　him　hacking　away　at　it。　　Presently　his　heart　gave　a　violent　leap；　for　why？　two　ladies　emerged　from　the　Pleasaunce　and　walked　across　the　park。　　They　came　up　to　Dard；　and　stood　looking　at　the　tree　and　Dard　hacking　it；　and　Edouard　watched　them　greedily。　　You　know　we　all　love　to　magnify　her　we　love。　　And　this　was　a　delightful　way　of　doing　it。　　It　is　〃a　system　of　espionage〃　that　prevails　under　every　form　of　government。　　How　he　gazed；　and　gazed；　on　his　now　polar　star；　studied　every　turn；　every　gesture；　with　eager　delight；　and　tried　to　gather　what　she　said；　or　at　least　the　nature　of　it。

But　by　and　by　they　left　Dard　and　strolled　towards　the　other　end　of　the　park。　　Then　did　our　astronomer　fling　down　his　tube；　and　come　running　out　in　hopes　of　intercepting　them；　and　seeming　to　meet　them　by　some　strange　fortuity。　　Hope　whispered　he　should　be　blessed　with　a　smile；　perhaps　a　word　even。　　So　another　minute　and　he　was　running　up　the　road　to　Beaurepaire。　　But　his　good　heart　was　doomed　to　be　diverted　to　a　much　humbler　object　than　his　idol；　as　he　came　near　the　fallen　tree　he　heard　loud　cries　for　help；　followed　by　groans　of　pain。　　He　bounded　over　the　hedge；　and　there　was　Dard　hanging　over　his　axe；　moaning。　　〃What　is　the　matter？　what　is　the　matter？〃　cried　Edouard；　running　to　him。

〃Oh！　oh！　cut　my　foot。　　Oh！〃

Edouard　looked；　and　turned　sick；　for　there　was　a　gash　right　through　Dard's　shoe；　and　the　blood　welling　up　through　it。　　But；　recovering　himself　by　an　effort　of　the　will；　he　cried　out；　〃Courage；　my　lad！　don't　give　in。　　Thank　Heaven　there's　no　artery　there。　　Oh；　dear；　it　is　a　terrible　cut！　　Let　us　get　you　home；　that　is　the　first　thing。　Can　you　walk？〃

〃Lord　bless　you；　no！　nor　stand　neither　without　help。〃

Edouard　flew　to　the　wheelbarrow；　and；　reversing　it；　spun　a　lot　of　billet　out。　　〃Ye　must　not　do　that；〃　said　Dard　with　all　the　energy　he　was　capable　of　in　his　present　condition。　　〃Why；　that　is　Jacintha's　wood。〃〃To　the　devil　with　Jacintha　and　her　wood　too！〃　cried　Edouard；　〃a　man　is　worth　more　than　a　fagot。　　Come；　I　shall　wheel　you　home：　it　is　only　just　across　the　park。〃

With　some　difficulty　he　lifted　him　into　the　barrow。　　Luckily　he　had　his　shooting…jacket　on　with　a　brandy…flask　in　it：　he　administered　it　with　excellent　effect。

The　ladies；　as　they　walked；　saw　a　man　wheeling　a　barrow　across　the　park；　and　took　no　particular　notice；　but；　as　Riviere　was　making　for　the　same　point　they　were；　though　at　another　angle；　presently　the　barrow　came　near　enough　for　them　to　see　Dard's　head　and　arms　in　it。　Rose　was　the　first　to　notice　this。　　〃Look！　look！　if　he　is　not　wheeling　Dard　in　the　barrow　now。〃

〃Who？〃

〃Can　you　ask？　　Who　provides　all　our　excitement？〃

Josephine　instantly　divined　there　was　something　amiss。　　〃Consider；〃　said　she；　〃Monsieur　Riviere　would　not　wheel　Dard　all　across　the　park　for　amusement。〃

Rose　assented；　and　in　another　minute；　by　a　strange　caprice　of　fate；　those　Edouard　had　come　to　intercept；　quickened　their　pace　to　intercept　him。　　As　soon　as　he　saw　their　intention　he　thrilled　all　over；　but　did　not　slacken　his　pace。　　He　told　Dard　to　take　his　coat　and　throw　it　over　his　foot；　for　here　were　the　young　ladies　coming。

〃What　for？〃　said　Dard　sulkily。　　〃No！　let　them　see　what　they　have　done　with　their　little　odd　jobs：　this　is　my　last　for　one　while。　　I　sha'n't　go　on　two　legs　again　this　year。〃

The　ladies　came　up　with　them。

〃O　monsieur！〃　said　Josephine；　〃what　is　the　matter？〃

〃We　have　met　with　a　little　accident；　mademoiselle；　that　is　all。　Dard　has　hurt　his　foot；　nothing　to　speak　of；　but　I　thought　he　would　be　best　at　home。〃

Rose　raised　the　coat　which　Riviere；　in　spite　of　Dard；　had　flung　over　his　foot。

〃He　is　bleeding！　　Dard　is　bleeding！　　Oh；　my　poor　Dard。　　Oh！　oh！〃

〃Hush；　Rose！〃

〃No；　don't　put　him　out　of　heart；　mademoiselle。　　Take　another　pull　at　the　flask；　Dard。　　If　you　please；　ladies；　I　must　have　him　home　without　delay。〃

〃Oh　yes；　but　I　want　him　to　have　a　surgeon；〃　cried　Josephine。　　〃And　we　have　no　horses　nor　people　to　send　off　as　we　used　to　have。〃

〃Bu