his own people-第3章

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〃But　we　shall　not　talk　of　~me！~　　Let　us　see　how　we　can　keep　you　out
of　mischief　at　leas'　for　a　little　while。　　I　know　very　well　what　you
will　do　to…night：　　you　will　go　to　Salone　Margherita　an'　sit　in　a　box
like　all　the　wicked　Americans〃

〃No；　indeed；　I　shall　not！〃

〃Ah；　yes；　you　will！〃　she　laughed。　　〃But　until　dinner　let　me　keep
you　from　wickedness。　　Come　to　tea　jus'　wiz　me；　not　at　the　hotel；
but　at　the　little　apartment　I　have　taken；　where　it　is　quiet。　　The
music　is　finish'；　an'　all　those　pretty　girl'　are　goin'　away；　you
see。　　I　am　not　selfish　if　I　take　you　from　the　Pincio　now。　　You
will　come？





III。　　Glamour

It　was　some　fair　dream　that　would　be　gone　too　soon；　he　told　himself；
as　they　drove　rapidly　through　the　twilight　streets；　down　from　the
Pincio　and　up　the　long　slope　of　the　Quirinal。　　They　came　to　a　stop
in　the　gray　courtyard　of　a　palazzo；　and　ascended　in　a　sleepy
elevator　to　the　fifth　floor。　　Emerging；　they　encountered　a　tall　man
who　was　turning　away　from　the　Countess'　door；　which　he　had　just
closed。　　The　landing　was　not　lighted；　and　for　a　moment　he　failed
to　see　the　American　following　Madame　de　Vaurigard。

〃Eow；　it's　you；　is　it；〃　he　said　informally。　　〃Waitin'　a　devil　of　a
long　time　for　you。　　I've　gawt　a　message　for　you。　　~He's~　comin'。
He　writes　that　Cooley〃

~〃Attention！〃~　she　interrupted　under　her　breath；　and；　stepping
forward　quickly；　touched　the　bell。　　〃I　have　brought　a　frien'　of　our
dear；　droll　Cooley　with　me　to　tea。　　Monsieur　Mellin；　you　mus'　make
acquaintance　with　Monsieur　Sneyd。　　He　is　English；　but　we　shall
forgive　him　because　he　is　a　such　ole　frien'　of　mine。〃

〃Ah；　yes；〃　said　Mellin。　　〃Remember　seeing　you　on　the　boat；　running
across　the　pond。〃

〃Yes；　ev　coss；〃　responded　Mr。　Sneyd　cordially。　　〃I　wawsn't　so
fawchnit　as　to　meet　you；　but　dyuh　eold　Cooley's　talked　ev　you
often。　　Heop　I　sh'll　see　maw　of　you　hyuh。〃

A　very　trim；　very　intelligent…looking　maid　opened　the　door；　and
the　two　men　followed　Madame　de　Vaurigard　into　a　square　hall；　hung
with　tapestries　and　lit　by　two　candles　of　a　Brobdingnagian　species
Mellin　had　heretofore　seen　only　in　cathedrals。　　Here　Mr。　Sneyd
paused。


〃I　weon't　be　bawthring　you；〃　he　said。　　〃Just　a　wad　with　you；
Cantess；　and　I'm　off。〃

The　intelligent…looking　maid　drew　back　some　heavy　curtains　leading
to　a　salon　beyond　the　hall；　and　her　mistress　smiled　brightly　at
Mellin。

〃I　shall　keep　him　to　jus'　his　one　word；〃　she　said；　as　the　young
man　passed　between　the　curtains。

It　was　a　nobly　proportioned　room　that　he　entered；　so　large　that；
in　spite　of　the　amount　of　old　furniture　it　contained；　the　first
impression　it　gave　was　one　of　spaciousness。　　Panels　of　carved　and
blackened　wood　lined　the　walls　higher　than　his　head；　above　them；
Spanish　leather　gleamed　here　and　there　with　flickerings　of　red　and
gilt；　reflecting　dimly　a　small　but　brisk　wood　fire　which　crackled
in　a　carved　stone　fireplace。　　His　feet　slipped　on　the　floor　of
polished　tiles　and　wandered　from　silky　rugs　to　lose　themselves　in
great　black　bear　skins　as　in　unmown　sward。　　He　went　from　the
portrait　of　a　〃cinquecento〃　cardinal　to　a　splendid　tryptich　set
over　a　Gothic　chest；　from　a　cabinet　sheltering　a　collection　of　old
glass　to　an　Annunciation　by　an　unknown　Primitive。　　He　told　himself
that　this　was　a　〃room　in　a　book；〃　and　became　dreamily　assured　that
he　was　a　man　in　a　book。　　Finally　he　stumbled　upon　something　almost
grotesquely　out　of　place：　　a　large；　new；　perfectly…appointed　card…
table　with　a　sliding　top；　a　smooth；　thick；　green　cover　and　patent
compartments。

He　halted　before　this　incongruity；　regarding　it　with　astonishment。
Then　a　light　laugh　rippled　behind　him；　and　he　turned　to　find　Madame
de　Vaurigard　seated　in　a　big　red　Venetian　chair　by　the　fire。

She　wore　a　black　lace　dress；　almost　severe　in　fashion；　which
gracefully　emphasized　her　slenderness；　and　she　sat　with　her　knees
crossed；　the　firelight　twinkling　on　the　beads　of　her　slipper；
on　her　silken　instep；　and　flashing　again　from　the　rings　upon　the
slender　fingers　she　had　clasped　about　her　knee。

She　had　lit　a　thin；　long　Russian　cigarette。

〃You　see？〃　she　laughed。　　〃I　mus'　keep　up　with　the　time。　　I　mus'　do
somesing　to　hold　my　frien's　about　me。　　Even　the　ladies　like　to　play
nowthat　breedge　w'ich　is　so　tiresomethey　play；　play；　play！
And　youyou　Americans；　you　refuse　to　endure　us　if　we　do　not　let
you　play。　　So　for　my　frien's　when　they　come　to　my　houseif　they
wish　it；　there　is　that　foolish　little　table。　　I　fear〃she　concluded
with　a　bewitching　affectation　of　sadness〃they　prefer　that　to
talkin'　wiz　me。〃

〃You　know　that　couldn't　be　so；　~Comtesse~；〃　he　said。　　〃I　would
rather　talk　to　you　thanthan〃

〃Ah；　yes；　you　say　so；　Monsieur！〃　　She　looked　at　him　gravely；　a
little　sigh　seemed　to　breathe　upon　her　lips；　she　leaned　forward
nearer　the　fire；　her　face　wistful　in　the　thin；　rosy　light；　and　it
seemed　to　him　he　had　never　seen　anything　so　beautiful　in　his　life。

He　came　across　to　her　and　sat　upon　a　stool　at　her　feet。　　〃On　my
soul；〃　he　began　huskily；　〃I　swear〃

She　laid　her　finger　on　her　lips；　shaking　her　head　gently；　and　he
was　silent；　while　the　intelligent　maidat　that　moment　entering
arranged　a　tea…table　and　departed。

〃American　an'　Russian；　they　are　the　worse；〃　said　the　Countess
thoughtfully；　as　she　served　him　with　a　generous　cup；　laced　with
rum；　〃but　the　American　he　is　the　bes'　to　play　~wiz~。〃　　Mellin
found　her　irresistible　when　she　said　〃wiz。〃

〃Why　is　that？〃

〃Oh；　the　Russian　play　high；　yesbut　the　American〃she　laughed
delightedly　and　stretched　her　arms　wide〃he　make'　it　all　a　joke！
He　is　beeg　like　his　beeg　country。　　If　he　win　or　lose；　he　don'　care！
Ah；　I　mus'　tell　you　of　my　great　American　frien'；　that　Honor…able
Chanlair　Pedlow；　who　is　comin'　to　Rome。　　You　have　heard　of
Honor…able　Chanlair　Pedlow　in　America？〃

〃I　remember　hearing　that　name。〃

〃Ah；　I　shall　make　you　know　him。　He　is　a　man　of　distinction；　he
did　sit　in　your　Chamber　of　Deputieswhat　you　call　it？yes；　your
Con…gress。　　　He　is　funny；　eccentricalways　he　roar　like　a　lion
Boum！but　so　simple；　so　good；　a　man　of　such　fine　heartso
lovable！〃

〃1'll　be　glad　to　meet　him；〃　said　Mellin　coldly。

〃An'；　oh；　yes；　I　almos'　forget　to　tell　you；〃　she　went　on；　〃your
frien'；　that　dear　Cooley；　he　is　on　his　way　from　Monte　Carlo　in
his　automobile。　I　have　a　note　from　him　to…day。〃

〃Good　sort　of　fellow；　little　Cooley；　in　his　way；〃　remarked　her
companion　graciously。　　〃Not　especially　intellectual　or　that；　you
know。　　His　father　was　a　manufacturer　chap；　I　believe；　or　something
of　the　sort。　　I　suppose　you　saw　a　lot　of　him　in　Paris？〃

〃Eh；　I　thought　he　is　dead！〃　cried　Madame　de　Vaurigard。

〃The　father　is。　　I　mean；　little　Cooley。〃

〃Oh；　yes；〃　she　laughed　softly。　　〃We　had　some　gay　times；　a　little
party　of　us。　　We　shall　be　happy　here；　too；　you　will　see。　　I　mus'
make　a　little　dinner　very　soon；　but　not　unless　you　will　come。　　You
will？〃

〃Do　you　want　me　very　much？〃

He　placed　his　empty　cup　on　the　table　and　leaned　closer　to　her；
smiling。　　She　did　not　smile　in　response；　instead；　her　eyes　fell
and　there　was　the　faintest；　pathetic　quiver　of　her　lower　lip。

〃Already　you　know　that；〃　she　said　in　a　low　voice。

She　rose　quickly；　turned　away　from　him　and　walked　across　the　room
to　the　curtains　which　opened　upon　the　hall。　　One　of　these　she　drew
back。

〃My　frien'；　you　mus'　go　now；〃　she　said　in　the　same　low　voice。
〃To…morrow　I　will　see　you　again。　　Come　at　four　an'　you　shall　drive
with　mebut　notnot　more~now~。　　Please！〃

She　stood　waiting；　not　looking　at　him；　but　with　head　bent　and　eyes
veiled。　　As　he　came　near　she　put　out　a　limp　hand。　　He　held　it　for
a　few　seconds　of　distinctly　emotional　silence；　then　strode　swiftly
into　the　hall。

She　immediately　let　the　curtain　fall　behind　him；　and　as　he　got　his
hat　and　coat　he　heard　her　catch　her　breath　sharply　with　a　sound
like　a　little　sob。

Dazed　with　glory；　he　returned　to　the　hotel。　　In　the　lobby　he
approached　the　glittering　concierge　and　said　firmly：

〃What　is　the　Salone　Margherita？　　Cam　you　get　me　a　box　there
to…night？〃





IV。　　Good　Fellowship

He　confessed　his　wickedness　to　Madame　de　Vaurigard　the　next
afternoon　as　they　drove　out　the　Appian　Way。　　〃A　fellow　must　have
just　a　bit　of　a　fling；　you　know；〃　he　said；　〃and；　really；　Salone
Margherita　isn't　so　tremendously　wicked。〃

She　shook　her　head　at　him　in　friendly　raillery。　　〃Ah；　that　may　be；
but　how　many　of　those　little　dancing…girl'　have　you　invite　to
supper　afterward？〃

This　was　a　delicious　accusation；　and　though　he　shook　his　head　in
virtuous　denial　he　was　before　long　almost　convinced　that　he　~had~
given　a　rather　dashing　supper　after　the　vaudeville　and　had　~not~
gone　quietly　back　to　the　hotel；　only　stopping　by　the　way　to　purchase
an　orange　and　a　pocketful　of　horse…chestnuts　to　eat　in　his　room。

It　was　a　happy　drive　for　Robert　Russ　Mellin；　though　not　happier　than
that　of　the　next　day。　　Three　afternoons　they　spent　driving　over　the
Campagna；　then　back　to　Madame　de　Vaurigard's　apartment　for　tea　by
the　firelight；　till　the　enraptured　American　began　to　feel　that　the
dream　in　which　he　had　come　to　live　must　of　happy　necessity　last
forever。

On　the　fourth　afternoon；　as　he　stepped　out　of　the　hotel　elevator
into　the　corridor；　he　encountered　Mr。　Sneyd。

〃Just　stottin'；　eh？〃　said　the　Englishman；　taking　an　envelope　from
his　pocket。　　〃Lucky　I　caught　you。　　This　is　for　you。　　I　just　saw　the
Cantess　and　she　teold　me　to　give　it　you。　　Herry　and　read　it　and　kem
on　t'　the　Amairikin　Baw。　　Chap　I　want　you　to　meet。　　Eold　Cooley's
thyah　too。　　Gawt　in　with　his　tourin'…caw　at　noon。〃


　　〃You　will　forgive；　dear　friend；〃　wrote　Madame　de　Vaurigard；　〃if
　　I　ask　you　that　we　renounce　our　drive　to…day。　　You　see；　I　wish　to
　　have　that　little　dinner　to…night　and　must　make　preparation。
　　Honorable　Chandler　Pedlow　arrived　this　morning　from　Paris　and　that
　　droll　Mr。　Cooley　I　have　learn　is　coincidentally　arrived　also。　　You
　　see　I　think　it　would　be　very　pleasant　to　have　the　dinner　to　welcome
　　these　friends　on　their　arrival。　　You　will　come　surelyor　I　shall
　　be　so　truly　miserable。　　You　know　it　perhaps　too　well！　　We　shall
　　have　a　happy　evening　if　you　come　to　console　us　for　renouncing　our
　　drive。　　A　thousand　of　my　prettiest　wishes　for　you。
　　　　〃Helene。〃


The　signature　alone　consoled　him。　　To　have　that　note　from　her；　to
own　it；　was　like　having　one　of　her　gloves　or　her　fan。　　He　would
keep　it　forever；　he　thought；　indeed；　he　more　than　half　expressed　a
sentiment　to　that　effect　in　the　response　which　he　wrote　in　the
aquarium；　while　Sneyd　waited　for　him　at　a　table　near　by。　　The
Englishman　drew　certain　conclusions　in　regard　to　this　reply；　since
it　permitted　a　waiting　friend　to　consume　three　long　tumblers　of
brandy…and…soda　before　it　was　finished。　　However；　Mr。　Sneyd　kept
his　reflections　to　himself；　and；　when　the　epistle　had　been
dispatched　by　a　messenger；　took　the　American's　arm　and　led　him　to
the　〃American　Bar〃　of　the　hotel；　a　region　hitherto　unexplored　by
Mellin。

Leaning　against　the　bar　were　Cooley　and　the　man　whom　Mellin　had
seen　lolling　beside　Madame　de　Vaurigard　in　Cooley's　automobile　in
Paris；　the　same　gross　person　for　whom　he　had　instantly　conceived
a　strong　repugnance；　a　feeling　not　at　once　altered　by　a　clo