the conflict-第16章

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Davy　laughed。　　‘‘Women　get　their　rank　from　men；''　said　he　coolly。

‘‘In　themselves　they　have　none。　　That's　the　philosophy　of　the　peculiarity　you've　noted。''

This　truth；　so　galling　to　a　lady；　silenced　Jane；　made　her　bite　her　lips　with　rage。　　‘‘I　beg　your　pardon；''　she　finally　said。　　‘‘I　didn't　realize　that　you　were　in　love　with　Selma。''

‘‘Yes；　I　am　in　love　with　her；''　was　Davy's　astounding　reply。　　‘‘She's　the　noblest　and　simplest　creature　I've　ever　met。''

‘‘You　don't　mean　you　want　to　marry　her！''　exclaimed　Jane；　so　amazed　that　she　for　the　moment　lost　sight　of　her　own　personal　interest　in　this　affair。

Davy　looked　at　her　sadly；　and　a　little　contemptuously。

‘‘What　a　poor　opinion　at　bottom　you　womenyour　sort　of　womenhave　of　woman；''　said　he。

‘‘What　a　poor　opinion　of　men　you　mean；''　retorted　she。　　‘‘After　a　little　experience　of　them　a　girleven　a　girllearns　that　they　are　incapable　of　any　emotion　that　isn't　gross。''

‘‘Don't　be　so　ladylike；　Jane；''　said　Hull。

Miss　Hastings　was　recovering　control　of　herself。　　She　took　a　new　tack。　　‘‘You　haven't　asked　her　yet？''

‘‘Hardly。　　This　is　the　second　time　I've　seen　her。　　I　suspected　that　she　was　the　woman　for　me　the　moment　I　saw　her。　　To…day　I　confirmed　my　idea。　　She　is　all　that　I　thoughtand　more。　　And；　Jane；　I　know　that　you　appreciate　her；　too。''

Jane　now　saw　that　Davy　was　being　thus　abruptly　and　speedily　confiding　because　he　had　decided　it　was　the　best　way　out　of　his　entanglement　with　her。　　Behind　his　coolness　she　could　see　an　uneasy　watchfulnessthe　fear　that　she　might　try　to　hold　him。　　Up　boiled　her　ragethe　higher　because　she　knew　that　if　there　were　any　possible　way　of　holding　Davy；　she　would　take　it　not　because　she　wished　to；　or　would；　marry　him；　but　because　she　had　put　her　mark　upon　him。　　But　this　new　rage　was　of　the　kind　a　clever　woman　has　small　difficulty　in　dissembling。

‘‘Indeed　I　do　appreciate　her；　Davy；''　said　she　sweetly。　　‘‘And　I　hope　you　will　be　happy　with　her。''

‘‘You　think　I　can　get　her？''　said　he；　fatuously　eager。　　‘‘You　think　she　likes　me？　　I've　been　rather　hoping　that　because　it　seized　me　so　suddenly　and　so　powerfully　it　must　have　seized　her；　too。　　I　think　often　things　occur　that　way。''

‘‘In　novels；''　said　Jane；　pleasantly　judicial。　　‘‘But　in　real　life　about　the　hardest　thing　to　do　is　for　a　man　to　make　a　woman　care　for　himreally　care　for　him。''

‘‘Well；　no　matter　how　hard　I　have　to　try''

‘‘Of　course；''　pursued　Miss　Hastings；　ignoring　his　interruption；　‘‘when　a　man　who　has　wealth　and　position　asks　a　woman　who　hasn't　to　marry　him；　she　usually　acceptsunless　he　happens　to　be　downright　repulsive；　or　she　happens　to　be　deeply　and　hopefully　in　love　with　another　man。''

Davy　winced　satisfactorily。　　‘‘Do　you　suspect；''　he　presently　asked；　‘‘that　she's　in　love　with　Victor　Dorn？''

‘‘Perhaps；''　said　Jane　reflectively。　　‘‘Probably。　　But　I'd　not　feel　discouraged　by　that　if　I　were　you。''

‘‘Dorn's　a　rather　attractive　chap　in　some　ways。''

Davy's　manner　was　so　superior　that　Jane　almost　laughed　in　his　face。　　What　fools　men　were。　　If　Victor　Dorn　had　position；　weren't　surrounded　by　his　unquestionably；　hopelessly　common　family；　weren't　deliberately　keeping　himself　commonwas　there　a　woman　in　the　world　who　wouldn't　choose　him　without　a　second　thought　being　necessary；　in　preference　to　a　Davy　Hull？　　How　few　men　there　were　who　could　reasonably　hope　to　hold　their　women　against　all　comers。

Victor　Dorn　might　possibly　be　of　those　few。　　But　Davy　Hullthe　idea　was　ridiculous。　　All　his　advantagesheight；　looks；　money；　positionwere　excellent　qualities　in　a　show　piece；　but　they　weren't　the　qualities　that　make　a　woman　want　to　live　her　life　with　a　man；　that　make　her　hope　he　will　be　able　to　give　her　the　emotions　woman…nature　craves　beyond　anything。

‘‘He　is　very　attractive；''　said　Jane；　‘‘and　I've　small　doubt　that　Selma　Gordon　is　infatuated　with　him。　　But　I　shouldn't　let　that　worry　me　if　I　were　you。''　　She　paused　to　enjoy　his　anxiety；　then　proceeded：　　‘‘She　is　a　level…headed　girl。　　The　girls　of　the　working　class　the　intelligent　oneshave　had　the　silly　sentimentalities　knocked　out　of　them　by　experience。　　So；　when　you　ask　her　to　marry　you；　she　will　accept。''

‘‘What　a　low　opinion　you　have　of　her！''　exclaimed　Davy。　　‘‘What　a　low　view　you　take　of　life！''most　inconsistent　of　him；　since　he　was　himself　more　than　half　convinced　that　Jane's　observations　were　not　far　from　the　truth。

‘‘Women　are　sensible；''　said　Jane　tranquilly。　　‘‘They　appreciate　that　they've　got　to　get　a　man　to　support　them。　　Don't　forget；　my　dear　Davy；　that　marriage　is　a　woman's　career。''

‘‘You　lived　abroad　too　long；''　said　Hull　bitterly。

‘‘I've　lived　at　home　and　abroad　long　enough　and　intelligently　enough　not　to　think　stupid　hypocrisies；　even　if　I　do　sometimes　imitate　other　people　and　SAY　them。''

‘‘I　am　sure　that　Selma　Gordon　would　no　more　think　of　marrying　me　for　any　other　reason　but　lovewould　no　more　think　of　it　thanthan　YOU　would！''

‘‘No　more；''　was　Jane's　unruffled　reply。　　‘‘But　just　as　much。　　I　didn't　absolutely　refuse　you；　when　you　asked　me　the　other　day；　partly　because　I　saw　no　other　way　of　stopping　your　tiresome　talkand　your　unattractive　way　of　trying　to　lay　hands　on　me。　　I　DETEST　being　handled。''

Davy　was　looking　so　uncomfortable　that　he　attracted　the　attention　of　the　people　they　were　passing　in　wide；　shady　Lincoln　Avenue。

‘‘But　my　principal　reason；''　continued　Jane；　mercilessly　amiable　and　candid；　‘‘was　that　I　didn't　know　but　that　you　might　prove　to　be　about　the　best　I　could　get；　as　a　means　to　realizing　my　ambition。''　　She　looked　laughingly　at　the　unhappy　young　man。　　‘‘You　didn't　think　I　was　in　love　with　you；　did　you；　Davy　dear？''　　Then；　while　the　confusion　following　this　blow　was　at　its　height；　she　added：　　‘‘You'll　remember　one　of　your　chief　arguments　for　my　accepting　you　was　ambition。　　You　didn't　think　it　low　thendid　you？''

Hull　was　one　of　the　dry…skinned　people。　　But　if　he　had　been　sweating　profusely　he　would　have　looked　and　would　have　been　less　wretched　than　burning　up　in　the　smothered　heat　of　his　misery。

They　were　nearing　Martha's　gates。　　Jane　said：　　‘‘Yes；　Davy；　you've　got　a　good　chance。　　And　as　soon　as　she　gets　used　to　our　way　of　living；　she'll　make　you　a　good　wife。''　　She　laughed　gayly。

‘‘She'll　not　be　quite　so　pretty　when　she　settles　down　and　takes　on　flesh。　　I　wonder　how　she'll　look　in　fine　clothes　and　jewels。''

She　measured　Hull's　stature　with　a　critical　eye。　　‘‘She's　only　about　half　as　tall　as　you。　　How　funny　you'll　look　together！''　　With　sudden　soberness　and　sweetness；　‘‘But；　seriously；　David；　I'm　proud　of　your　courage　in　taking　a　girl　for　herself　regardless　of　her　surroundings。　　So　few　men　would　be　willing　to　face　the　ridicule　and　the　criticism；　and　all　the　social　difficulties。''　　She　nodded　encouragingly。　　‘‘Go　in　and　win！　　You　can　count　on　my　friendshipfor　I'm　in　love　with　her　myself。''

She　left　him　standing　dazedly；　looking　up　and　down　the　street　as　if　it　were　some　strange　and　pine…beset　highway　in　a　foreign　land。

After　taking　a　few　steps　she　returned　to　the　gates　and　called　him：　　‘‘I　forgot　to　ask　do　you　want　me　to　regard　what　you've　told　me　as　confidential？　　I　was　thinking　of　telling　Martha　and　Hugo；　and　it　occurred　to　me　that　you　might　not　like　it。''

‘‘Please　don't　say　anything　about　it；''　said　he　with　panicky　eagerness。　　‘‘You　seenothing's　settled　yet。''

‘‘Oh；　she'll　accept　you。''

‘‘But　I　haven't　even　asked　her；''　pleaded　Hull。

‘‘Ohall　rightas　you　please。''

When　she　was　safely　within　doors　she　dropped　to　a　chair　and　burst　out　laughing。　　It　was　part　of　Jane's　passion　for　the　sense　of　triumph　over　the　male　sex　to　felt　that　she　had　made　a　‘‘perfect　jumping　jack　of　a　fool''　of　David　Hull。　　‘‘And　I　rather　think；''　said　she　to　herself；　‘‘that　he'll　soon　be　back　where　he　belongs。''　　This　with　a　glance　at　the　tall　heels　of　the　slippers　on　the　good…looking　feet　she　was　thrusting　out　for　her　own　inspection。　　‘‘How　absurd　for　him　to　imagine　he　could　do　anything　unconventional。　　Is　there　any　coward　anywhere　so　cowardly　as　an　American　conventional　man？　　No　wonder　I　hate　to　think　of　marrying　one　of　them。　　ButI　suppose　I'll　have　to　do　it　some　day。　　What's　a　woman　to　do？　　She's　GOT　to　marry。''

So　pleased　with　herself　was　she　that　she　behaved　with　unusual　forbearance　toward　Martha　whose　conduct　of　late　had　been　most　trying。　　Not　Martha's　sometimes　peevish；　sometimes　plaintive　criticisms　of　her；　these　she　did　not　mind。　　But　Martha's　way　of　ordering　her　own　life。　　Jane；　moving　about　in　the　world　with　a　good　mind　eager　to　improve；　had　got　a　horror　of　a　woman's　going　to　piecesand　that　was　what　Martha　was　doing。

‘‘I'm　losing　my　looks　rapidly；''　was　her　constant　complaint。　　As　she　had　just　passed　thirty　there　was；　in　Jane's　opinion；　not　the　smallest　excuse　for　this。　　The　remedy；　the　preventive；　was　obviousdiet　and　exercise。　　But　Martha；　being　lazy　and　self…indulgent　and　not　imaginative　enough　to　foresee　to　what　a　pass　a　few　years　more　of　lounging　and　stuffing　would　bring　her；　regarded　exercise　as　unladylike　and　dieting　as　unhealthful。　　She　would　not　weaken　her　system　by　taking　less　than　was　demanded　by　‘‘nature's　infallible　guide；　the　healthy　appetite。''　　She　would　not　give　up　the　venerable　and　aristocratic　tradition　that　a　lady　should　ever　be　reposeful。

‘‘Another　year　or　so；''　warned　Jane；　‘‘and　you'll　be　as　steatopygous　as　the　bride　of　a　Hottentot　chief。''

‘‘What　does　steatthat　word　mean？''　said　Martha　suspiciously。

‘‘Look　in　the　dictionary；''　said　Jane。　　‘‘Its　synonyms　aren't　used　by　refined　people。''

‘‘I　knew　it　was　something　insulting；''　said　Martha　with　an　injured　sniff。

The　only　concessions　Martha　would　make　to　the　latter…day　craze　of　women　for　youthfulness　were　buying　a　foolish　chin…strap　of　a　beauty　quack　and　consulting　him　as　to　whether；　if　her　hair　continued　to　gray；　she　would　better　take　to　peroxide　or　to　henna。

Jane　had　come　down　that　day　with　a　severe　lecture　on　fat　and　wrinkles　laid　out　in　her　mind　for　energetic　delivery　to　the　fast…seeding　Martha。　　She　put　off　the　lecture　and　allowed　the　time　to　be　used　by　Martha　in　telling　Jane　what　were　her　（Jane's）　strongest　and　less　strongnot　weaker　but　less　strong；　points　of　physical　charm。

It　was　cool　and　beautiful　in　the　shade　of　the　big　gardens　behind　the　old　Galland　house。　　Jane；　listening　to　Martha's　honest　and　just　compliments　and　to　the　faint　murmurs　of　the　city's　dusty；　sweaty　toil；　had　a　delicious　sense　of　the　superiority　of　her　lota　feeling　that　somehow　there　must　be　something　in　the　theory　of　rightfully　superior　and　inferior　classesthat　in　taking　what　she　had　not　earned　she　was　not　robbing　those　who　had　earned　it；　as　her　reason　so　often　asserted；　but　was　being　supported　by　the　toil　of　others　for　high　purposes　of　aesthetic　beauty。　　Anyhow；　why　heat　one's　self　wrestling　with　these　problems？

When　she　was　sure　that　Victor　Dorn　must　have　returned　she　called　him　on　the　telephone。　　‘‘Can't　you　come　out　to　see　me　to…night？''　said　she。　　‘‘I've　something　importantsomething　YOU'LL　think　important　to　consult　you　about。''　　She　felt　a　refusal　forming　at　the　other　end　of　the　wire　and　hastened　to　add：　　‘‘You　must　know　I'd　not　ask　this　if　I　weren't　certain　you　would　be　glad　you　came。''

‘‘Why　not　drop　in　here　when　you're　down　town？''　suggested　Victor。

She　wondered　why　she