little novels-第5章

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The　poor　woman's　joy；　on　seeing　them；　expressed　itself　like　the　joy　of　a　child。　〃Oh；　I　am　so　glad！　so　glad！〃　was　all　she　could　say　when　they　met。　Lucy　was　half…smothered　with　kisses；　and　was　made　supremely　happy　by　a　present　of　the　finest　doll　she　had　ever　possessed。　Mrs。　Zant　accompanied　her　friends　to　the　rooms　which　had　been　secured　at　the　hotel。　She　was　able　to　speak　confidentially　to　Mr。　Rayburn；　while　Lucy　was　in　the　balcony　hugging　her　doll；　and　looking　at　the　sea。

The　one　event　that　had　happened　during　Mrs。　Zant's　short　residence　at　St。　Sallins　was　the　departure　of　her　brother…in…law　that　morning；　for　London。　He　had　been　called　away　to　operate　on　the　feet　of　a　wealthy　patient　who　knew　the　value　of　his　time：　his　housekeeper　expected　that　he　would　return　to　dinner。

As　to　his　conduct　toward　Mrs。　Zant；　he　was　not　only　as　attentive　as　everhe　was　almost　oppressively　affectionate　in　his　language　and　manner。　There　was　no　service　that　a　man　could　render　which　he　had　not　eagerly　offered　to　her。　He　declared　that　he　already　perceived　an　improvement　in　her　health；　he　congratulated　her　on　having　decided　to　stay　in　his　house；　and　（as　a　proof；　perhaps；　of　his　sincerity）　he　had　repeatedly　pressed　her　hand。　〃Have　you　any　idea　what　all　this　means？〃　she　said；　simply。

Mr。　Rayburn　kept　his　idea　to　himself。　He　professed　ignorance；　and　asked　next　what　sort　of　person　the　housekeeper　was。

Mrs。　Zant　shook　her　head　ominously。

〃Such　a　strange　creature；〃　she　said；　〃and　in　the　habit　of　taking　such　liberties　that　I　begin　to　be　afraid　she　is　a　little　crazy。〃

〃Is　she　an　old　woman？〃

〃Noonly　middle…aged。　This　morning；　after　her　master　had　left　the　house；　she　actually　asked　me　what　I　thought　of　my　brother…in…law！　I　told　her；　as　coldly　as　possible；　that　I　thought　he　was　very　kind。　She　was　quite　insensible　to　the　tone　in　which　I　had　spoken；　she　went　on　from　bad　to　worse。　〃Do　you　call　him　the　sort　of　man　who　would　take　the　fancy　of　a　young　woman？〃　was　her　next　question。　She　actually　looked　at　me　（I　might　have　been　wrong；　and　I　hope　I　was）　as　if　the　〃young　woman〃　she　had　in　her　mind　was　myself！　I　said：　〃I　don't　think　of　such　things；　and　I　don't　talk　about　them。〃　Still；　she　was　not　in　the　least　discouraged；　she　made　a　personal　remark　next：　〃Excuse　mebut　you　do　look　wretchedly　pale。〃　I　thought　she　seemed　to　enjoy　the　defect　in　my　complexion；　I　really　believe　it　raised　me　in　her　estimation。　〃We　shall　get　on　better　in　time；〃　she　said；　〃I　am　beginning　to　like　you。〃　She　walked　out　humming　a　tune。　Don't　you　agree　with　me？　Don't　you　think　she's　crazy？〃

〃I　can　hardly　give　an　opinion　until　I　have　seen　her。　Does　she　look　as　if　she　might　have　been　a　pretty　woman　at　one　time　of　her　life？〃

〃Not　the　sort　of　pretty　woman　whom　I　admire！〃

Mr。　Rayburn　smiled。　〃I　was　thinking；〃　he　resumed；　〃that　this　person's　odd　conduct　may　perhaps　be　accounted　for。　She　is　probably　jealous　of　any　young　lady　who　is　invited　to　her　master's　houseand　（till　she　noticed　your　complexion）　she　began　by　being　jealous　of　you。〃

Innocently　at　a　loss　to　understand　how　_she_　could　become　an　object　of　the　housekeeper's　jealousy；　Mrs。　Zant　looked　at　Mr。　Rayburn　in　astonishment。　Before　she　could　give　expression　to　her　feeling　of　surprise；　there　was　an　interruptiona　welcome　interruption。　A　waiter　entered　the　room；　and　announced　a　visitor；　described　as　〃a　gentleman。〃

Mrs。　Zant　at　once　rose　to　retire。

〃Who　is　the　gentleman？〃　Mr。　Rayburn　askeddetaining　Mrs。　Zant　as　he　spoke。

A　voice　which　they　both　recognized　answered　gayly；　from　the　outer　side　of　the　door：

〃A　friend　from　London。〃

X。

〃WELCOME　to　St。　Sallins！　〃　cried　Mr。　John　Zant。　〃I　knew　that　you　were　expected；　my　dear　sir；　and　I　took　my　chance　at　finding　you　at　the　hotel。〃　He　turned　to　his　sister…in…law；　and　kissed　her　hand　with　an　elaborate　gallantry　worthy　of　Sir　Charles　Grandison　himself。　〃When　I　reached　home；　my　dear；　and　heard　that　you　had　gone　out；　I　guessed　that　your　object　was　to　receive　our　excellent　friend。　You　have　not　felt　lonely　while　I　have　been　away？　That's　right！　that's　right！〃　he　looked　toward　the　balcony；　and　discovered　Lucy　at　the　open　window；　staring　at　the　magnificent　stranger。　〃Your　little　daughter；　Mr。　Rayburn？　Dear　child！　Come　and　kiss　me。〃

Lucy　answered　in　one　positive　word：　〃No。〃

Mr。　John　Zant　was　not　easily　discouraged。

Show　me　your　doll；　darling；〃　he　said。　〃Sit　on　my　knee。〃

Lucy　answered　in　two　positive　words〃I　won't。〃

Her　father　approached　the　window　to　administer　the　necessary　reproof。　Mr。　John　Zant　interfered　in　the　cause　of　mercy　with　his　best　grace。　He　held　up　his　hands　in　cordial　entreaty。　〃Dear　Mr。　Rayburn！　The　fairies　are　sometimes　shy；　and　_this_　little　fairy　doesn't　take　to　strangers　at　first　sight。　Dear　child！　All　in　good　time。　And　what　stay　do　you　make　at　St。　Sallins？　May　we　hope　that　our　poor　attractions　will　tempt　you　to　prolong　your　visit？〃

He　put　his　flattering　little　question　with　an　ease　of　manner　which　was　rather　too　plainly　assumed；　and　he　looked　at　Mr。　Rayburn　with　a　watchfulness　which　appeared　to　attach　undue　importance　to　the　reply。　When　he　said：　〃What　stay　do　you　make　at　St。　Sallins？〃　did　he　really　mean：　〃How　soon　do　you　leave　us？〃　Inclining　to　adopt　this　conclusion；　Mr。　Rayburn　answered　cautiously　that　his　stay　at　the　seaside　would　depend　on　circumstances。　Mr。　John　Zant　looked　at　his　sister…in…law；　sitting　silent　in　a　corner　with　Lucy　on　her　lap。　〃Exert　your　attractions；〃　he　said；　〃make　the　circumstances　agreeable　to　our　good　friend。　Will　you　dine　with　us　to…day；　my　dear　sir；　and　bring　your　little　fairy　with　you？〃

Lucy　was　far　from　receiving　this　complimentary　allusion　in　the　spirit　in　which　it　had　been　offered。　〃I'm　not　a　fairy；〃　she　declared。　〃I'm　a　child。〃

〃And　a　naughty　child；〃　her　father　added；　with　all　the　severity　that　he　could　assume。

〃I　can't　help　it；　papa；　the　man　with　the　big　beard　puts　me　out。〃

The　man　with　the　big　beard　was　amusedamiably；　paternally　amusedby　Lucy's　plain　speaking。　He　repeated　his　invitation　to　dinner；　and　he　did　his　best　to　look　disappointed　when　Mr。　Rayburn　made　the　necessary　excuses。

〃Another　day；〃　he　said　（without；　however；　fixing　the　day）。　〃I　think　you　will　find　my　house　comfortable。　My　housekeeper　may　perhaps　be　eccentricbut　in　all　essentials　a　woman　in　a　thousand。　Do　you　feel　the　change　from　London　already？　Our　air　at　St。　Sallins　is　really　worthy　of　its　reputation。　Invalids　who　come　here　are　cured　as　if　by　magic。　What　do　you　think　of　Mrs。　Zant？　How　does　she　look？〃

Mr。　Rayburn　was　evidently　expected　to　say　that　she　looked　better。　He　said　it。　Mr。　John　Zant　seemed　to　have　anticipated　a　stronger　expression　of　opinion。

〃Surprisingly　better！〃　he　pronounced。　〃Infinitely　better！　We　ought　both　to　be　grateful。　Pray　believe　that　we　_are_　grateful。〃

〃If　you　mean　grateful　to　me；〃　Mr。　Rayburn　remarked；　〃I　don't　quite　understand〃

〃You　don't　quite　understand？　Is　it　possible　that　you　have　forgotten　our　conversation　when　I　first　had　the　honor　of　receiving　you？　Look　at　Mrs。　Zant　again。〃

Mr。　Rayburn　looked；　and　Mrs。　Zant's　brother…in…law　explained　himself。

〃You　notice　the　return　of　her　color；　the　healthy　brightness　of　her　eyes。　（No；　my　dear；　I　am　not　paying　you　idle　compliments；　I　am　stating　plain　facts。）　For　that　happy　result；　Mr。　Rayburn；　we　are　indebted　to　you。〃

〃Surely　not？〃

〃Surely　yes！　It　was　at　your　valuable　suggestion　that　I　thought　of　inviting　my　sister…in…law　to　visit　me　at　St。　Sallins。　Ah；　you　remember　it　now。　Forgive　me　if　I　look　at　my　watch；　the　dinner　hour　is　on　my　mind。　Not；　as　your　dear　little　daughter　there　seems　to　think；　because　I　am　greedy；　but　because　I　am　always　punctual；　in　justice　to　the　cook。　Shall　we　see　you　to…morrow？　Call　early；　and　you　will　find　us　at　home。〃

He　gave　Mrs。　Zant　his　arm；　and　bowed　and　smiled；　and　kissed　his　hand　to　Lucy；　and　left　the　room。　Recalling　their　interview　at　the　hotel　in　London；　Mr。　Rayburn　now　understood　John　Zant's　object　（on　that　occasion）　in　assuming　the　character　of　a　helpless　man　in　need　of　a　sensible　suggestion。　If　Mrs。　Zant's　residence　under　his　roof　became　associated　with　evil　consequences；　he　could　declare　that　she　would　never　have　entered　the　house　but　for　Mr。　Rayburn's　advice。

With　the　next　day　came　the　hateful　necessity　of　returning　this　man's　visit。

Mr。　Rayburn　was　placed　between　two　alternatives。　In　Mrs。　Zant's　interests　he　must　remain；　no　matter　at　what　sacrifice　of　his　own　inclinations；　on　good　terms　with　her　brother…in…lawor　he　must　return　to　London；　and　leave　the　poor　woman　to　her　fate。　His　choice；　it　is　needless　to　say；　was　never　a　matter　of　doubt。　He　called　at　the　house；　and　did　his　innocent　bestwithout　in　the　least　deceiving　Mr。　John　Zantto　make　himself　agreeable　during　the　short　duration　of　his　visit。　Descending　the　stairs　on　his　way　out；　accompanied　by　Mrs。　Zant；　he　was　surprised　to　see　a　middle…aged　woman　in　the　hall；　who　looked　as　if　she　was　waiting　there　expressly　to　attract　notice。

〃The　housekeeper；〃　Mrs。　Zant　whispered。　〃She　is　impudent　enough　to　try　to　make　acquaintance　with　you。〃

This　was　exactly　what　the　housekeeper　was　waiting　in　the　hall　to　do。

〃I　hope　you　like　our　watering…place；　sir；〃　she　began。　〃If　I　can　be　of　service　to　you；　pray　command　me。　Any　friend　of　this　lady's　has　a　claim　on　meand　you　are　an　old　friend；　no　doubt。　I　am　only　the　housekeeper；　but　I　presume　to　take　a　sincere　interest　in　Mrs。　Zant；　and　I　am　indeed　glad　to　see　you　here。　We　none　of　us　knowdo　we？how　soon　we　may　want　a　friend。　No　offense；　I　hope？　Thank　you；　sir。　Good…morning。〃

There　was　nothing　in　the　woman's　eyes　which　indicated　an　unsettled　mind；　nothing　in　the　appearance　of　her　lips　which　suggested　habits　of　intoxication。　That　her　strange　outburst　of　familiarity　proceeded　from　some　strong　motive　seemed　to　be　more　than　probable。　Putting　together　what　Mrs。　Zant　had　already　told　him；　and　what　he　had　himself　observed；　Mr。　Rayburn　suspected　that　the　motive　might　be　found　in　the　housekeeper's　jealousy　of　her　master。

XI。

REFLECTING　in　the　solitude　of　his　own　room；　Mr。　Rayburn　felt　that　the　one　prudent　course　to　take　would　be　to　persuade　Mrs。　Zant　to　leave　St。　Sallins。　He　tried　to　prepare　her　for　this　strong　proceeding；　when　she　came　the　next　day　to　take　Lucy　out　for　a　walk。

〃If　you　still　regret　having　forced　yourself　to　accept　your　brother…in…law's　invitation；〃　was　all　he　ventured　to　say；　〃don't　forget　that　you　are　perfect　mistress　of　your　own　actions。　You　have　only　to　come　to　me　at　the　hotel；　and　I　will　take　you　back　to　London　by　the　next　train。〃

She　positively　refused　to　entertain　the　idea。

〃I　should　be　a　thankless　creature；　indeed；〃　she　said；　〃if　I　accepted　your　proposal。　Do　you　think　I　am　ungrateful　enough　to　involve　you　in　a　personal　quarrel　with　John　Zant？　No！　If　I　find　myself　forced　to　leave　the　house；　I　will　go　away　alone。〃

There　was　no　moving　her　from　this　resolution。　When　she　and　Lucy　had　gone　out　together；　Mr。　Rayburn　remained　at　the　hotel；　with　a　mind　ill　at　ease。　A　man　of　readier　mental　resources　might　have　felt　at　a　loss　how　to　act　for　the　best；　in　the　emergency　that　now　confronted　him。　While　he　was　still　as　far　as　ever　from　arriving　at　a　decision；　some　person　knocked　at　the　door。

Had　Mrs。　Zant　returned？　He　looked　up　as　the　door　was　opened；　and　saw　to　his　astonishmentMr。　John　Zant's　housekeeper。

〃Don