his own people-第2章

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　　And　your　slender　hand

The　hand　to　which　he　referred　was　the　same　which　had　arrested　his
gondola　and　his　heart　simultaneously；　five　days　ago；　in　Venice。　　He
was　on　his　way　to　the　station　when　Madame　de　Vaurigard's　gondola
shot　out　into　the　Grand　Canal　from　a　narrow　channel；　and　at　her
signal　both　boats　paused。

〃Ah！　but　you　fly　away！〃　she　cried；　lifting　her　eyebrows　mournfully；
as　she　saw　the　steamer…trunk　in　his　gondola。　　〃You　are　goin'　return
to　America？〃

〃No。　　I'm　just　leaving　for　Rome。〃

〃Well；　in　three　day'　~I~　am　goin'　to　Rome！〃　　She　clapped　her　hands
lightly　and　laughed。　　〃You　know　this　is　three　time'　we　meet　jus'　by
chance；　though　that　second　time　it　was　so　quick~pff~！　like　that
we　didn't　talk　much　togezzer！　　Monsieur　Mellin；〃　she　laughed　again；
〃I　think　we　mus'　be　frien's。　　Three　time'an'　we　are　both　goin'　to
Rome！　　Monsieur　Mellin；　you　believe　in　~Fate~？〃

With　a　beating　heart　he　did。

Thence　came　the　invitation　to　meet　her　at　the　Magnifique　for　tea；
and　the　card　she　scribbled　for　him　with　a　silver　pencil。　　She　gave
it　with　the　prettiest　gesture；　leaning　from　her　gondola　to　his　as
they　parted。　　She　turned　again；　as　the　water　between　them　widened；
and　with　her　〃~Au　revoir~〃　offered　him　a　faintly　wistful　smile　to
remember。

All　the　way　to　Rome　the　noises　of　the　train　beat　out　the　measure　of
his　Parisian　verses：

　　~Marquise；　ma　belle~；　with　your　kerchief　of
　　　　lace
　　Awave　from　your　flying　car

He　came　out　of　his　reverie　with　a　start。　　A　dozen　men　and　women；
dressed　for　dinner；　with　a　gold…fish　officer　or　two　among　them；
swam　leisurely　through　the　aquarium　on　their　way　to　the　hotel
restaurant。　　They　were　the　same　kind　of　people　who　had　sat　at　the
little　tables　for　teapeople　of　the　great　world；　thought　Mellin：
no　vulgar　tourists　or　〃trippers〃　among　them；　and　he　shuddered　at
the　remembrance　of　his　pension　（whither　it　was　time　to　return）　and
its　conscientious　students　of　Baedeker；　its　dingy　halls　and　permanent
smell　of　cold　food。　　Suddenly　a　high　resolve　lit　his　face：　he　got
his　coat　and　hat　from　the　brass…and…blue　custodian　in　the　lobby；
and　without　hesitation　entered　the　〃bureau。〃

〃I　'm　not　quite　satisfied　where　I　am　stayingwhere　I'm　stopping；
that　is；〃　he　said　to　the　clerk。　　〃I　think　I'll　take　a　room　here。〃

〃Very　well；　sir。　　Where　shall　I　send　for　your　luggage？〃

〃I　shall　bring　it　myself；〃　replied　Mellin　coldly；　〃in　my　cab。〃

He　did　not　think　it　necessary　to　reveal　the　fact　that　he　was　staying
at　one　of　the　cheaper　pensions；　and　it　may　be　mentioned　that　this
reticence　（as　well　as　the　somewhat　chilling；　yet　careless；　manner
of　a　gentleman　of　the　〃great　world〃　which　he　assumed　when　he　returned
with　his　trunk　and　bag）　very　substantially　increased　the　rate　put
upon　the　room　he　selected　at　the　Magnifique。　　However；　it　was　with
great　satisfaction　that　he　found　himself　installed　in　the　hotel；　and
he　was　too　recklessly　exhilarated；　by　doing　what　he　called　the　〃right
thing；〃　to　waste　any　time　wondering　what　the　〃right　thing〃　would　do
to　the　diminishing　pad　of　express　checks　he　carried　in　the　inside
pocket　of　his　waistcoat。

〃Better　live　a　fortnight　like　a　gentleman；〃　he　said；　as　he　tossed
his　shoes　into　a　buhl　cabinet；　〃than　vegetate　like　a　tourist　for
a　year。〃

He　had　made　his　entrance　into　the　〃great　world〃　and　he　meant　to
hold　his　place　in　it　as　one　〃to　the　manor　born。〃　　Its　people　should
not　find　him　lacking：　　he　would　wear　their　manner　and　speak　their
languageno　gaucherie　should　betray　him；　no　homely　phrase　escape
his　lips。

This　was　the　chance　he　had　always　hoped　for；　and　when　he　fell　asleep
in　his　gorgeous；　canopied　bed；　his　soul　was　uplifted　with　happy
expectations。





II。　　Music　on　the　Pincio

The　following　afternoon　found　him　still　in　that　enviable　condition
as　he　stood　listening　to　the　music　on　the　Pincian　Hill。　　He　had　it
of　rumor　that　the　Fashion　of　Rome　usually　took　a　turn　there　before
it　went　to　tea；　and　he　had　it　from　the　lady　herself　that　Madame
de　Vaurigard　would　be　there。　　Presently　she　came；　reclining　in　a
victoria；　the　harness　of　her　horses　flashing　with　gold　in　the
sunshine。　　She　wore　a　long　ermine　stole；　her　hat　was　ermine；　she
carried　a　muff　of　the　same　fur；　and　Mellin　thought　it　a　perfect
finish　to　the　picture　that　a　dark　gentleman　of　an　appearance　most
distinguished　should　be　sitting　beside　her。　　An　Italian　noble；
surely！

He　saw　the　American　at　once；　nodded　to　him　and　waved　her　hand。
The　victoria　went　on　a　little　way　beyond　the　turn　of　the　drive；
drew　out　of　the　line　of　carriages；　and　stopped。

〃Ah；　Monsieur　Mellin；〃　she　cried；　as　he　came　up；　〃I　am　glad！　　I
was　so　foolish　yesterday　I　didn'　give　you　the　address　of　my　little
apartment　an'　I　forgot　to　ask　you　what　is　your　hotel。　　I　tol'　you
I　would　come　here　for　my　drive；　but　still　I　might　have　lost　you
for　ever。　　See　what　many　people！　　It　is　jus'　that　Fate　again。〃

She　laughed；　and　looked　to　the　Italian　for　sympathy　in　her　kindly
merriment。　　He　smiled　cordially　upon　her；　then　lifted　his　hat　and
smiled　as　cordially　upon　Mellin。

〃I　am　so　happy　to　fin'　myself　in　Rome　that　I　forget〃Madame　de
Vaurigard　went　on〃~ever'sing！~　　But　now　I　mus'　make　sure　not　to
lose　you。　　What　is　your　hotel？〃

〃Oh；　the　Magnifique；〃　Mellin　answered　carelessly。　　〃I　suppose
everybody　that　one　knows　stops　there。　　One　does　stop　there；　when
one　is　in　Rome；　doesn't　one？〃

〃Everybody　go'　there　for　tea；　and　to　eat；　sometime；　but　to　~stay~
ah；　that　is　for　the　American！〃　she　laughed。　　〃That　is　for　you
who　are　all　so　abomin…~ab~…ly　rich！〃　　She　smiled　to　the　Italian
again；　and　both　of　them　smiled　beamingly　on　Mellin。

〃But　that　isn't　always　our　fault；　is　it？〃　said　Mellin　easily。

〃Aha！　　You　mean　you　are　of　the　new　generation；　of　the　yo'ng
American'　who　come　over　an'　try　to　spen'　these　immense　fortune'
those　~'pile'~your　father　or　your　gran…father　make！　　I　know
quite　well。　　Ah？〃

〃Well；〃　he　hesitated；　smiling。　　〃I　suppose　it　does　look　a　little
by　way　of　being　like　that。〃

〃Wicked　fellow！〃　　She　leaned　forward　and　tapped　his　shoulder
chidingly　with　two　fingers。　　〃I　know　what　you　wish　the　mos'　in　the
worl'you　wish　to　get　into　mischief。　　That　is　it！　　No；　sir；　I
will　jus'　take　you　in　han'！〃

〃When　will　you　take　me？〃　he　asked　boldly。

At　this；　the　pleasant　murmur　of　laughterhalf　actual　and　half
suggestedwith　which　she　underlined　the　conversation；　became　loud
and　clear；　as　she　allowed　her　vivacious　glance　to　strike　straight
into　his　upturned　eyes；　and　answered：

〃As　long　as　a　little　turn　roun'　the　hill；　~now~。　Cavaliere　Corni〃

To　Mellin's　surprise　and　delight　the　Italian　immediately　descended
from　the　victoria　without　the　slightest　appearance　of　irritation；
on　the　contrary；　he　was　urbane　to　a　fine　degree；　and；　upon　Madame
de　Vaurigard's　formally　introducing　him　to　Mellin；　saluted　the
latter　with　grave　politeness；　expressing　in　good　English　a　hope
that　they　might　meet　often。　　When　the　American　was　installed　at
the　Countess'　side　she　spoke　to　the　driver　in　Italian；　and　they
began　to　move　slowly　along　the　ilex　avenue；　the　coachman　reining
his　horses　to　a　walk。

〃You　speak　Italian？〃　she　inquired。

〃Oh；　not　a　great　deal　more　than　a　smattering；〃　he　replied　airily
a　truthful　answer；　inasmuch　as　a　vocabulary　consisting　simply
of　~〃quanty　costy〃~　and　~〃troppo〃~　cannot　be　seriously　considered
much　more　than　a　smattering。　　Fortunately　she　made　no　test　of　his
linguistic　attainment；　but　returned　to　her　former　subject。

〃Ah；　yes；　all　the　worl'　to…day　know'　the　new　class　of　American；〃
she　said〃~your~　class。　　Many　year'　ago　we　have　another　class　which
Europe　didn'　like。　　That　was　when　the　American　was　ter…ri…ble！
He　was　thewhat　is　that　you　call？oh；　yes；　he　'make　himself；'
you　say：　that　is　it。　　My　frien'；　he　was　abominable！　　He　brag'；　he
talk'　through　the　nose；　yes；　and　he　was　niggardly；　rich　as　he　was！
But　you；　you　yo'ng　men　of　the　new　generation；　you　are　gentlemen　of
the　idleness；　you　are　aristocrats；　with　polish　an'　with　culture。
An'　yet　you　throw　your　money　awayyes；　you　throw　it　to　poor　Europe
as　if　to　a　beggar！〃

〃No；　no；〃　he　protested　with　an　indulgent　laugh　which　confessed　that
the　truth　was　really　〃Yes；　yes。〃

〃Your　smile　betray'　you！〃　she　cried　triumphantly。　　〃More　than　jus'
bein'　guilty　of　that　fault；　I　am　goin'　to　tell　you　of　others。　　You
are　not　the　ole…timewhat　is　it　you　say？Ah；　yes；　the　'goody…
goody。'　　I　have　heard　my　great　American　frien'；　Honor…able　Chanlair
Pedlow；　call　it　the　Sonday…school。　　Is　it　not？　　Yes；　you　are　not
the　Sonday…school　yo'ng　men；　you　an'　your　class！〃

〃No；〃　he　said；　bestowing　a　long　glance　upon　a　stout　nurse　who　was
sitting　on　a　bench　near　the　drive　and　attending　to　twins　in　a
perambulator。　　〃No；　we're　not　exactly　dissenting　parsons。〃

〃Ah；　no！〃　　She　shook　her　head　at　him　prettily。　　〃You　are　wicked！
You　are　up　into　all　the　mischief！　　Have　I　not　hear　what　wild　sums
you　risk　at　your　game；　that　poker？　　You　are　famous　for　it。〃

〃Oh；　we　play；〃　he　admitted　with　a　reckless　laugh；　〃and　I　suppose　we
do　play　rather　high。〃

〃High！〃　she　echoed。　　〃~Souzands！~　　But　that　is　not　all。　　Ha；　ha；　ha；
naughty　one！　　Have　I　not　observe'　you　lookin'　at　these　pretty
creature'；　the　little　contadina…girl；　an'　the　poor　ladies　who　have
hire'　their　carriages　for　two　lire　to　drive　up　and　down　the　Pincio
in　their　bes'　dress　an'　be　admire'　by　the　yo'ng　American　while　the
music　play'？　　Which　one　I　wonder；　is　it　on　whose　wrist　you　would
mos'　like　to　fasten　a　bracelet　of　diamon's？　　Wicked；　I　have　watch'
you　look　at　them…？

〃No；　no；〃　he　interrupted　earnestly。　　〃I　have　not　once　looked　away
from　you；　I　~could　n't~。〃　　Their　eyes　met；　but　instantly　hers　were
lowered；　the　bright　smile　with　which　she　had　been　rallying　him
faded　and　there　was　a　pause　during　which　he　felt　that　she　had　become
very　grave。　　When　she　spoke；　it　was　with　a　little　quaver；　and　the
controlled　pathos　of　her　voice　was　so　intense　that　it　evoked　a
sympathetic　catch　in　his　own　throat。

〃But；　my　frien'；　if　it　should　be　that　I　cannot　wish　you　to　look　so
at　me；　or　to　speak　so　to　me？〃

〃I　beg　your　pardon！〃　he　exclaimed；　almost　incoherently。　　〃I　didn't
mean　to　hurt　your　feelings。　　I　wouldn't　do　anything　you'd　think
ungentlemanly　for　the　world！〃

Her　eyes　lifted　again　to　his　with　what　he　had　no　difficulty　in
recognizing　as　a　look　of　perfect　trust；　but；　behind　that；　he
perceived　a　darkling　sadness。

〃I　know　it　is　true；〃　she　murmured　〃I　know。　　But　you　see　there　are
time'　when　a　woman　has　sorrowsorrow　of　one　kindwhen　she　mus'　be
sure　that　there　is　onlyonly　rispec'　in　the　hearts　of　her　frien's。〃

With　that；　the　intended　revelation　was　complete；　and　the　young　man
understood；　as　clearly　as　if　she　had　told　him　in　so　many　words；
that　she　was　not　a　widow　and　that　her　husband　was　the　cause　of　her
sorrow。　　His　quickened　instinct　marvelously　divined　（or　else　it　was
conveyed　to　him　by　some　intangible　method　of　hers）　that　the　Count
de　Vaurigard　was　a　very　bad　case；　but　that　she　would　not　divorce
him。

〃I　know；〃　he　answered；　profoundly　touched。　　〃I　understand。〃

In　silent　gratitude　she　laid　her　hand　for　a　second　upon　his　sleeve。
Then　her　face　brightened；　and　she　said　gayly：

〃But　we　shall　not　talk　of　~me！~　　Let　us　see　how　we　can　keep　you　out
o