confidence-第23章

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herself　to　the　nearest　flight　of　steps。　　Before　she　had　gone　two　paces　a　complete　change　came　over　Bernard's　feeling；　his　only　wish　now　was　to　speak　to　her　to　explainto　tell　her　he　would　go　away。　　There　was　another　row　of　steps　at　a　short　distance　behind　him；　he　rapidly　ascended　them　and　reached　the　little　terrace　of　the　Casino。　　Miss　Vivian　stood　there；　she　was　apparently　hesitating　again　which　way　to　turn。　Bernard　came　straight　up　to　her；　with　a　gallant　smile　and　a　greeting。　The　comparison　is　a　coarse　one；　but　he　felt　that　he　was　taking　the　bull　by　the　horns。　　Angela　Vivian　stood　watching　him　arrive。

〃You　did　n't　recognize　me；〃　he　said；　〃and　your　not　recognizing　me　made　me　made　me　hesitate。〃

For　a　moment　she　said　nothing；　and　then

〃You　are　more　timid　than　you　used　to　be！〃　she　answered。

He　could　hardly　have　said　what　expression　he　had　expected　to　find　in　her　face；　his　apprehension　had；　perhaps；　not　painted　her　obtrusively　pale　and　haughty；　aggressively　cold　and　stern；　but　it　had　figured　something　different　from　the　look　he　encountered。　　Miss　Vivian　was　simply　blushingthat　was　what　Bernard　mainly　perceived；　he　saw　that　her　surprise　had　been　extremecomplete。　Her　blush　was　re…assuring；　it　contradicted　the　idea　of　impatient　resentment；　and　Bernard　took　some　satisfaction　in　noting　that　it　was　prolonged。

〃Yes；　I　am　more　timid　than　I　used　to　be；〃　he　said。

In　spite　of　her　blush；　she　continued　to　look　at　him　very　directly；　but　she　had　always　done　thatshe　always　met　one's　eye；　and　Bernard　now　instantly　found　all　the　beauty　that　he　had　ever　found　before　in　her　pure；　unevasive　glance。

〃I　don't　know　whether　I　am　more　brave；〃　she　said；　〃but　I　must　tell　the　truth　I　instantly　recognized　you。〃

〃You　gave　no　sign！〃

〃I　supposed　I　gave　a　striking　onein　getting　up　and　going　away。〃

〃Ah！〃　said　Bernard；　〃as　I　say；　I　am　more　timid　than　I　was；　and　I　did　n't　venture　to　interpret　that　as　a　sign　of　recognition。〃

〃It　was　a　sign　of　surprise。〃

〃Not　of　pleasure！〃　said　Bernard。　　He　felt　this　to　be　a　venturesome；　and　from　the　point　of　view　of　taste　perhaps　a　reprehensible；　remark；　but　he　made　it　because　he　was　now　feeling　his　ground；　and　it　seemed　better　to　make　it　gravely　than　with　assumed　jocosity。

〃Great　surprises　are　to　me　never　pleasures；〃　Angela　answered；　〃I　am　not　fond　of　shocks　of　any　kind。　　The　pleasure　is　another　matter。　I　have　not　yet　got　over　my　surprise。〃

〃If　I　had　known　you　were　here；　I　would　have　written　to　you　beforehand；〃　said　Bernard；　laughing。

Miss　Vivian；　beneath　her　expanded　parasol；　gave　a　little　shrug　of　her　shoulders。

〃Even　that　would　have　been　a　surprise。〃

〃You　mean　a　shock；　eh？　　Did　you　suppose　I　was　dead？〃

Now；　at　last；　she　lowered　her　eyes；　and　her　blush　slowly　died　away。

〃I　knew　nothing　about　it。〃

〃Of　course　you　could　n't　know；　and　we　are　all　mortal。　　It　was　natural　that　you　should　n't　expectsimply　on　turning　your　head　to　find　me　lying　on　the　pebbles　at　Blanquais…les…Galets。　You　were　a　great　surprise　to　me；　as　well；　but　I　differ　from　you　I　like　surprises。〃

〃It　is　rather　refreshing　to　hear　that　one　is　a　surprise；〃　said　the　girl。

〃Especially　when　in　that　capacity　one　is　liked！〃　　Bernard　exclaimed。

〃I　don't　say　thatbecause　such　sensations　pass　away。　I　am　now　beginning　to　get　over　mine。〃

The　light　mockery　of　her　tone　struck　him　as　the　echo　of　an　unforgotten　air。　He　looked　at　her　a　moment；　and　then　he　said

〃You　are　not　changed；　I　find　you　quite　the　same。〃

〃I　am　sorry　for　that！〃　　And　she　turned　away。

〃What　are　you　doing？〃　he　asked。　　〃Where　are　you　going？〃

She　looked　about　her；　without　answering；　up　and　down　the　little　terrace。　The　Casino　at　Blanquais　was　a　much　more　modest　place　of　reunion　than　the　Conversation…house　at　Baden…Baden。　It　was　a　small；　low　structure　of　brightly　painted　wood；　containing　but　three　or　four　rooms；　and　furnished　all　along　its　front　with　a　narrow　covered　gallery；　which　offered　a　delusive　shelter　from　the　rougher　moods　of　the　fine；　fresh　weather。　　It　was　somewhat　rude　and　shabbythe　subscription　for　the　season　was　lowbut　it　had　a　simple　picturesqueness。　Its　little　terrace　was　a　very　convenient　place　for　a　stroll；　and　the　great　view　of　the　ocean　and　of　the　marble…white　crags　that　formed　the　broad　gate…way　of　the　shallow　bay；　was　a　sufficient　compensation　for　the　absence　of　luxuries。　　There　were　a　few　people　sitting　in　the　gallery；　and　a　few　others　scattered　upon　the　terrace；　but　the　pleasure…seekers　of　Blanquais　were；　for　the　most　part；　immersed　in　the　salt　water　or　disseminated　on　the　grassy　downs。

〃I　am　looking　for　my　mother；〃　said　Angela　Vivian。

〃I　hope　your　mother　is　well。〃

〃Very　well；　thank　you。〃

〃May　I　help　you　to　look　for　her？〃　　Bernard　asked。

Her　eyes　paused　in　their　quest；　and　rested　a　moment　upon　her　companion。

〃She　is　not　here；〃　she　said　presently。　　〃She　has　gone　home。〃

〃What　do　you　call　home？〃　　Bernard　demanded。

〃The　sort　of　place　that　we　always　call　home；　a　bad　little　house　that　we　have　taken　for　a　month。〃

〃Will　you　let　me　come　and　see　it？〃

〃It　's　nothing　to　see。〃

Bernard　hesitated　a　moment。

〃Is　that　a　refusal？〃

〃I　should　never　think　of　giving　it　so　fine　a　name。〃

〃There　would　be　nothing　fine　in　forbidding　me　your　door。　Don't　think　that！〃　said　Bernard；　with　rather　a　forced　laugh。

It　was　difficult　to　know　what　the　girl　thought；　but　she　said；　in　a　moment

〃We　shall　be　very　happy　to　see　you。　　I　am　going　home。〃

〃May　I　walk　with　you　so　far？〃　asked　Bernard。

〃It　is　not　far；　it　's　only　three　minutes。〃　　And　Angela　moved　slowly　to　the　gate　of　the　Casino。






CHAPTER　XX

Bernard　walked　beside　her；　and　for　some　moments　nothing　was　said　between　them。　　As　the　silence　continued；　he　became　aware　of　it；　and　it　vexed　him　that　she　should　leave　certain　things　unsaid。　She　had　asked　him　no　questionneither　whence　he　had　come；　nor　how　long　he　would　stay；　nor　what　had　happened　to　him　since　they　parted。　He　wished　to　see　whether　this　was　intention　or　accident。　　He　was　already　complaining　to　himself　that　she　expressed　no　interest　in　him；　and　he　was　perfectly　aware　that　this　was　a　ridiculous　feeling。　He　had　come　to　speak　to　her　in　order　to　tell　her　that　he　was　going　away；　and　yet；　at　the　end　of　five　minutes；　he　had　asked　leave　to　come　and　see　her。　　This　sudden　gyration　of　mind　was　grotesque；　and　Bernard　knew　it；　but；　nevertheless；　he　had　an　immense　expectation　that；　if　he　should　give　her　time；　she　would　manifest　some　curiosity　as　to　his　own　situation。　　He　tried　to　give　her　time；　he　held　his　tongue；　but　she　continued　to　say　nothing。　　They　passed　along　a　sort　of　winding　lane；　where　two　or　three　fishermen's　cottages；　with　old　brown　nets　suspended　on　the　walls　and　drying　in　the　sun；　stood　open　to　the　road；　on　the　other　side　of　which　was　a　patch　of　salt…looking　grass；　browsed　by　a　donkey　that　was　not　fastidious。

〃It　's　so　long　since　we　parted；　and　we　have　so　much　to　say　to　each　other！〃　Bernard　exclaimed　at　last；　and　he　accompanied　this　declaration　with　a　laugh　much　more　spontaneous　than　the　one　he　had　given　a　few　moments　before。

It　might　have　gratified　him；　however；　to　observe　that　his　companion　appeared　to　see　no　ground　for　joking　in　the　idea　that　they　should　have　a　good　deal　to　say　to　each　other。

〃Yes；　it　's　a　long　time　since　we　spent　those　pleasant　weeks　at　Baden；〃　she　rejoined。　　〃Have　you　been　there　again？〃

This　was　a　question；　and　though　it　was　a　very　simple　one；　Bernard　was　charmed　with　it。

〃I　would　n't　go　back　for　the　world！〃　he　said。　　〃And　you？〃

〃Would　I　go　back？　　Oh　yes；　I　thought　it　so　agreeable。〃

With　this　he　was　less　pleased；　he　had　expected　the　traces　of　resentment；　and　he　was　actually　disappointed　at　not　finding　them。　But　here　was　the　little　house　of　which　his　companion　had　spoken；　and　it　seemed；　indeed；　a　rather　bad　one。　　That　is；　it　was　one　of　those　diminutive　structures　which　are　known　at　French　watering…places　as　〃chalets；〃　and；　with　an　exiguity　of　furniture；　are　let　for　the　season　to　families　that　pride　themselves　upon　their　powers　of　contraction。　This　one　was　a　very　humble　specimen　of　its　class；　though　it　was　doubtless　a　not　inadequate　abode　for　two　quiet　and　frugal　women。　It　had　a　few　inches　of　garden；　and　there　were　flowers　in　pots　in　the　open　windows；　where　some　extremely　fresh　white　curtains　were　gently　fluttering　in　the　breath　of　the　neighboring　ocean。　The　little　door　stood　wide　open。

〃This　is　where　we　live；〃　said　Angela；　and　she　stopped　and　laid　her　hand　upon　the　little　garden…gate。

〃It　's　very　fair；〃　said　Bernard。　　〃I　think　it　's　better　than　the　pastry…cook's　at　Baden。〃

They　stood　there；　and　she　looked　over　the　gate　at　the　geraniums。　She　did　not　ask　him　to　come　in；　but；　on　the　other　hand；　keeping　the　gate　closed；　she　made　no　movement　to　leave　him。　The　Casino　was　now　quite　out　of　sight；　and　the　whole　place　was　perfectly　still。　　Suddenly；　turning　her　eyes　upon　Bernard　with　a　certain　strange　inconsequence

〃I　have　not　seen　you　here　before；〃　she　observed。

He　gave　a　little　laugh。

〃I　suppose　it　's　because　I　only　arrived　this　morning。　I　think　that　if　I　had　been　here　you　would　have　noticed　me。〃

〃You　arrived　this　morning？〃

〃Three　or　four　hours　ago。　　So；　if　the　remark　were　not　in　questionable　taste；　I　should　say　we　had　not　lost　time。〃

〃You　may　say　what　you　please；〃　said　Angela；　simply。　　〃Where　did　you　come　from？〃

Interrogation；　now　it　had　come；　was　most　satisfactory；　and　Bernard　was　glad　to　believe　that　there　was　an　element　of　the　unexpected　in　his　answer。

〃From　California。〃

〃You　came　straight　from　California　to　this　place？〃

〃I　arrived　at　Havre　only　yesterday。〃

〃And　why　did　you　come　here？〃

〃It　would　be　graceful　of　me　to　be　able　to　answer'Because　I　knew　you　were　here。'　　But　unfortunately　I　did　not　know　it。　It　was　a　mere　chance；　or　rather；　I　feel　like　saying　it　was　an　inspiration。〃

Angela　looked　at　the　geraniums　again。

〃It　was　very　singular；〃　she　said。　　〃We　might　have　been　in　so　many　places　besides　this　one。　　And　you　might　have　come　to　so　many　places　besides　this　one。〃

〃It　is　all　the　more　singular；　that　one　of　the　last　persons　I　saw　in　America　was　your　charming　friend　Blanche；　who　married　Gordon　Wright。　She　did　n't　tell　me　you　were　here。〃

〃She　had　no　reason　to　know　it；〃　said　the　girl。　　〃She　is　not　my　friend　as　you　are　her　husband's　friend。〃

〃Ah　no；　I　don't　suppose　that。　　But　she　might　have　heard　from　you。〃

〃She　does　n't　hear　from　us。　　My　mother　used　to　write　to　her　for　a　while　after　she　left　Europe；　but　she　has　given　it　up。〃　She　paused　a　moment；　and　then　she　added〃Blanche　is　too　silly！〃

Bernard　noted　this；　wondering　how　it　bore　upon　his　theory　of　a　spiteful　element　in　his　companion。　　Of　course　Blanche　was　silly；　but；　equally　of　course；　this　young　lady's　perception　of　it　was　quickened　by　Blanche's　having　married　a　rich　man　whom　she　herself　might　have　married。

〃Gordon　does　n't　think　so；〃　Bernard　said。

Angela　looked　at　him　a　moment。

〃I　am　very　glad　to　hear　it；〃　she　rejoined；　gently。

〃Yes；　it　is　very　fortunate。〃

〃Is　he　well？〃　the　girl　asked。　　〃Is　he　happy？〃

〃He　has　all　the　air　of　it。〃

〃I　am　very　glad　to　hear　it；〃　she　repeated。　　And　then　she　moved　the　latch　of　the　gate　and　passed　in。　　At　the　same　moment　her　mother　appeared　in　the　open　door…way。　Mrs。　Vivian　had　apparently　been　summoned　by　the　sound　o