INMEMORYOFMANYHOTDAYSANDSOMEHOTCORNERS
THISBOOKISDEDICATEDTO
LT-COL。ARTHURH。LEE,R。A。
BritishMilitaryAttachewiththeUnitedStatesArmyContentsTHELIONANDTHEUNICORN
ONTHEFEVERSHIP
THEMANWITHONETALENT
THEVAGRANT
THELASTRIDETOGETHER
THELIONANDTHEUNICORN
Prentisshadalongleaseonthehouse,andbecauseitstoodinJermynStreettheupperfloorswere,asamatterofcourse,turnedintolodgingsforsinglegentlemen;andbecausePrentisswasaFloristtotheQueen,heplacedalionandunicornoverhisflowershop,justinfrontofthemiddlewindowonthefirstfloor。Bystretchingalittle,eachofthemcouldseeintothewindowjustbeyondhim,andcouldhearallthatwassaidinside;
andsuchthingsastheysawandheardduringthereignofCaptainCarrington,whomovedinatthesametimetheydid!Bydaythetableinthecentreoftheroomwascoveredwithmaps,andtheCaptainsatwithaboxofpins,withdifferent-coloredflagswrappedaroundthem,andamusedhimselfbystickingtheminthemapsandmeasuringthespacesinbetween,swearingmeanwhiletohimself。Itwasaselfishamusement,butitappearedtobetheCaptain’sonlyintellectualpursuit,foratnight,themapswererolledup,andagreenclothwasspreadacrossthetable,andtherewasmuchcompanyandpoppingofsoda-bottles,andlittleheapsofgoldandsilverweremovedthiswayandthatacrossthecloth。Thesmokedriftedoutoftheopenwindows,andthelaughteroftheCaptain’sguestsrangoutloudlyintheemptystreet,sothatthepolicemanhaltedandraisedhiseyesreprovinglytothelightedwindows,andcabmendrewupbeneaththemandlayinwait,dozingontheirfoldedarms,fortheCaptain’sgueststodepart。TheLionandtheUnicornwereratherashamedofthescandalofit,andtheyweregladwhen,oneday,theCaptainwentawaywithhistinboxesandgun-casespiledhighonafour-wheeler。
Prentissstoodonthesidewalkandsaid:\"Iwishyougoodluck,sir。\"AndtheCaptainsaid:\"I’mcomingbackaMajor,Prentiss。\"Buthenevercameback。Andoneday——theLionrememberedthedayverywell,foronthatsamedaythenewsboysranupanddownJermynStreetshoutingoutthenewsof\"a’orribledisaster\"totheBritisharms。Itwasthenthatayoungladycametothedoorinahansom,andPrentisswentouttomeetherandledherupstairs。TheyheardhimunlocktheCaptain’sdoorandsay,\"Thisishisroom,miss,\"andafterhehadgonetheywatchedherstandingquitestillbythecentretable。Shestoodthereforaverylongtimelookingslowlyabouther,andthenshetookaphotographoftheCaptainfromtheframeonthemantelandslippeditintoherpocket,andwhenshewentoutagainherveilwasdown,andshewascrying。ShemusthavegivenPrentissasmuchasasovereign,forhecalledher\"Yourladyship,\"whichheneverdidunderasovereign。
Andshedroveoff,andtheyneversawheragaineither,norcouldtheyheartheaddressshegavethecabman。ButitwassomewhereupSt。John’sWoodway。
Afterthattheroomswereemptyforsomemonths,andtheLionandtheUnicornwereforcedtoamusethemselveswiththebeautifulladiesandsmart-lookingmenwhocametoPrentisstobuyflowersand\"buttonholes,\"andthelittleroundbasketsofstrawberries,andeventhepeachesatthreeshillingseach,whichlookedsotemptingastheylayinthewindow,wrappedupincotton-wool,likejewelsofgreatprice。
ThenPhilipCarroll,theAmericangentleman,came,andtheyheardPrentisstellinghimthatthoseroomshadalwaysletforfiveguineasaweek,whichtheyknewwasnottrue;buttheyalsoknewthatintheeconomyofnationstheremustalwaysbeahigherpricefortherichAmerican,orelsewhywashegiventhatstrangeaccent,excepttobetrayhimintothehandsoftheLondonshopkeeper,andtheLondoncabby?
TheAmericanwalkedtothewindowtowardthewest,whichwasthewindownearesttheLion,andlookedoutintothegraveyardofSt。
James’sChurch,thatstretchedbetweentheirstreetandPiccadilly。
\"You’reluckyinhavingabitofgreentolookouton,\"hesaidtoPrentiss。\"I’lltaketheserooms——atfiveguineas。That’smorethanthey’reworth,youknow,butasIknowit,too,yourconscienceneedn’ttroubleyou。\"
ThenhiseyesfellontheLion,andhenoddedtohimgravely。
\"Howdoyoudo?\"hesaid。\"I’mcomingtolivewithyouforalittletime。Ihavereadaboutyouandyourfriendsoverthere。
Itisahazardofnewfortuneswithme,yourMajesty,sobekindtome,andifIwin,Iwillputanewcoatofpaintonyourshieldandgildyoualloveragain。\"
PrentisssmiledobsequiouslyattheAmerican’spleasantry,butthenewlodgeronlystaredathim。
\"Heseemedasocialgentleman,\"saidtheUnicorn,thatnight,whentheLionandheweretalkingitover。\"NowtheCaptain,thewholetimehewashere,nevergaveussomuchasalook。Thisonesayshehasreadofus。\"
\"Andwhynot?\"growledtheLion。\"IhopePrentissheardwhathesaidofourneedinganewlayerofgilt。It’sdisgraceful。YoucanseethatLionoverScarlett’s,thebutcher,asfarasRegentStreet,andScarlettisonlyoneofSalisbury’screations。HereceivedhisLetters-Patentonlytwoyearsback。WedatefromPalmerston。\"
Thelodgercameupthestreetjustatthatmoment,andstoppedandlookedupattheLionandtheUnicornfromthesidewalk,beforeheopenedthedoorwithhisnight-key。Theyheardhimentertheroomandfeelonthemantelforhispipe,andamomentlaterheappearedattheLion’swindowandleanedonthesill,lookingdownintothestreetbelowandblowingwhiffsofsmokeupintothewarmnight-air。
ItwasanightinJune,andthepavementsweredryunderfootandthestreetswerefilledwithwell-dressedpeople,goinghomefromtheplay,andwithgroupsofmeninblackandwhite,makingtheirwaytosupperattheclubs。Hansomsofinky-black,withshininglampsinsideandout,dashednoiselesslypastonmysteriouserrands,chasingcloseoneachother’sheelsonamadrace,eachtoitsseparategoal。Fromthecrossstreetsrosethenoisesofearlynight,therumbleofthe’buses,thecreakingoftheirbrakes,astheyunlocked,thecriesofthe\"extras,\"andthemergingofthousandsofhumanvoicesinadullmurmur。ThegreatworldofLondonwasclosingitsshuttersforthenight,andputtingoutthelights;andthenewlodgerfromacrossthesealistenedtoitwithhisheartbeatingquickly,andlaughedtostiflethetouchoffearandhomesicknessthatroseinhim。
\"Ihaveseenagreatplayto-night,\"hesaidtotheLion,\"noblyplayedbygreatplayers。Whatwilltheycareformypoorwares?
IseethatIhavebeenover-bold。Butwecannotgobacknow——notyet。\"
Heknockedtheashesoutofhispipe,andnodded\"good-night\"tothegreatworldbeyondhiswindow。\"Whatfortunesliewithye,yelightsofLondontown?\"hequoted,smiling。Andtheyheardhimclosethedoorofhisbedroom,andlockitforthenight。
ThenextmorningheboughtmanygeraniumsfromPrentissandplacedthemalongthebroadcornicethatstretchedacrossthefrontofthehouseovertheshopwindow。TheflowersmadeabandofscarletoneithersideoftheLionasbrilliantasaTommy’sjacket。
\"IamtryingtopropitiatetheBritishLionbyplacingflowersbeforehisaltar,\"theAmericansaidthatmorningtoavisitor。
\"TheBritishpublicyoumean,\"saidthevisitor;\"theyareeachlikelytotearyoutopieces。\"
\"Yes,Ihaveheardthatthepitonthefirstnightofabadplayissomethingawful,\"hazardedtheAmerican。
\"Waitandsee,\"saidthevisitor。
\"Thankyou,\"saidtheAmerican,meekly。
Everyonewhocametothefirstfloorfronttalkedaboutaplay。
ItseemedtobesomethingofgreatmomenttotheAmerican。Itwasonlyabundleofleavesprintedinredandblackinksandboundinbrownpapercovers。Thereweretwoofthem,andtheAmericancalledthembydifferentnames:onewashiscomedyandonewashistragedy。
\"Theyarebothlikelytobetragedies,\"theLionheardoneofthevisitorssaytoanother,astheydroveawaytogether。\"Ouryoungfriendtakesittooseriously。\"
TheAmericanspentmostofhistimebyhisdeskatthewindowwritingonlittlebluepadsandtearingupwhathewrote,orinreadingoveroneoftheplaystohimselfinaloudvoice。Intimethenumberofhisvisitorsincreased,andtosomeofthesehewouldreadhisplay;andaftertheyhadlefthimhewaseitherdepressedandsilentorexcitedandjubilant。TheLioncouldalwaystellwhenhewashappybecausethenhewouldgotothesidetableandpourhimselfoutadrinkandsay,\"Here’stome,\"butwhenhewasdepressedhewouldstandholdingtheglassinhishand,andfinallypourtheliquorbackintothebottleagainandsay,\"What’stheuseofthat?\"
AfterhehadbeeninLondonamonthhewrotelessandwasmorefrequentlyabroad,sallyingforthinbeautifulraiment,andcominghomebydaylight。
Andhegavesupperstoo,buttheywerelessnoisythantheCaptain’shadbeen,andthewomenwhocametothemweremuchmorebeautiful,andtheirvoiceswhentheyspokeweresweetandlow。
Sometimesoneofthewomensang,andthemensatinsilencewhilethepeopleinthestreetbelowstoppedtolisten,andwouldsay,\"Why,thatisSo-and-Sosinging,\"andtheLionandtheUnicornwonderedhowtheycouldknowwhoitwaswhentheycouldnotseeher。
Thelodger’svisitorscametoseehimatallhours。Theyseemedtoregardhisroomsasaclub,wheretheycouldalwayscomeforabitetoeatortowritenotes;andotherstreateditlikealawyer’sofficeandaskedadviceonallmannerofstrangesubjects。SometimesthevisitorwantedtoknowwhethertheAmericanthoughtsheoughttotakeL?0aweekandgoontour,orstayintownandtrytoliveonL?;orwhethersheshouldpaintlandscapesthatwouldnotsell,orracehorsesthatwould;orwhetherReggiereallylovedherandwhethershereallylovedReggie;orwhetherthenewpartinthepieceattheCourtwasbetterthantheoldpartatTerry’s,andwasn’tshegettingtoooldtoplay\"ingenues\"anyway。
Thelodgerseemedtobeageneraladviser,andsmokedandlistenedwithgraveconsideration,andtheUnicornthoughthisjudgmentwasmostsympatheticandsensible。
OfallthebeautifulladieswhocametocallonthelodgertheonetheUnicornlikedthebestwastheonewhowantedtoknowwhethershelovedReggieandwhetherReggielovedher。ShediscussedthissointerestinglywhilesheconsumedteaandthinslicesofbreadthattheUnicornalmostlosthisbalanceinleaningforwardtolisten。HernamewasMarionCavendishanditwaswrittenovermanyphotographswhichstoodinsilverframesinthelodger’srooms。Sheusedtomaketheteaherself,whilethelodgersatandsmoked;andshehadafascinatingwayofdoublingthethinslicesofbreadintolongstripsandnibblingatthemlikeamouseatapieceofcheese。ShehadwonderfullittleteethandCupid’s-bowlips,andshehadafashionofliftingherveilonlyhighenoughforonetoseethetwoCupid-bowlips。
WhenshedidthattheAmericanusedtolaugh,atnothingapparently,andsay,\"Oh,IguessReggielovesyouwellenough。\"
\"ButdoIloveReggie?\"shewouldasksadly,withhertea-cupheldpoisedinair。
\"IamsureIhopenot,\"thelodgerwouldreply,andshewouldputdowntheveilquickly,asonewoulddropacurtainoverabeautifulpicture,andrisewithgreatdignityandsay,\"ifyoutalklikethatIshallnotcomeagain。\"
ShewassurethatifshecouldonlygetsomeworktodoherheadwouldbefilledwithmoreimportantmattersthanwhetherReggielovedherornot。
\"Butthemanagersseeminclinedtocuttheircavendishveryfinejustatpresent,\"shesaid。\"IfIdon’tgetapartsoon,\"sheannounced,\"IshallaskMitchelltoputmedownonthelistforrecitationsateveningparties。\"
\"Thatseemsadesperaterevenge,\"saidtheAmerican;\"andbesides,Idon’twantyoutogetapart,becausesomeonemightbeidioticenoughtotakemycomedy,andifheshould,youmustplayNancy。\"
\"IwouldnotaskforanysalaryifIcouldplayNancy,\"MissCavendishanswered。
Theyspokeofagreatmanythings,buttheirtalkalwaysendedbyhersayingthattheremustbesomeonewithsufficientsensetoseethathisplaywasagreatplay,andbyhissayingthatnonebutshemustplayNancy。
TheLionpreferredthetallgirlwithmassesandfoldsofbrownhair,whocamefromAmericatopaintminiaturesoftheBritisharistocracy。HernamewasHelenCabot,andhelikedherbecauseshewassobraveandfearless,andsodeterminedtobeindependentofeveryone,evenofthelodger——especiallyofthelodger,whoitappearedhadknownherverywellathome。Thelodger,theygathered,didnotwishhertobeindependentofhimandthetwoAmericanshadmanyargumentsanddisputesaboutit,butshealwayssaid,\"Itdoesnogood,Philip;itonlyhurtsusbothwhenyoutalkso。Icarefornothing,andfornoonebutmyart,and,poorasitis,itmeanseverythingtome,andyoudonot,and,ofcourse,themanIamtomarry,must。\"ThenCarrollwouldtalk,walkingupanddown,andlookingveryfierceanddetermined,andtellingherhowhelovedherinsuchawaythatitmadeherlookevenmoreproudandbeautiful。Andshewouldsaymoregently,\"Itisveryfinetothinkthatanyonecancareforlikethat,andveryhelpful。ButunlessIcaredinthesamewayitwouldbewickedofmetomarryyou,andbesides——\"Shewouldaddveryquicklytopreventhisspeakingagain——\"Idon’twanttomarryyouoranybody,andInevershall。Iwanttobefreeandtosucceedinmywork,justasyouwanttosucceedinyourwork。Sopleaseneverspeakofthisagain。\"Whenshewentawaythelodgerusedtositsmokinginthebigarm-chairandbeatthearmswithhishands,andhewouldpaceupanddowntheroomwhilehisworkwouldlieuntouchedandhisengagementspassforgotten。
SummercameandLondonwasdeserted,dull,anddusty,butthelodgerstayedoninJermynStreet。HelenCabothaddepartedonaroundofvisitstocountryhousesinScotland,where,asshewrotehim,shewaspaintingminiaturesofherhostsandstudyingthegameofgolf。MissCavendishdividedherdaysbetweentheriverandoneoftheWestEndtheatres。Shewasplayingasmallpartinafarce-comedy。
OnedayshecameupfromCookhamearlierthanusual,lookingverybeautifulinawhiteboatingfrockandastrawhatwithaLeanderribbon。Herhandsandarmswerehardwithdraggingapuntingpoleandshewassunburntandhappy,andhungryfortea。
\"Whydon’tyoucomedowntoCookhamandgetoutofthisheat?\"
MissCavendishasked。\"Youneedit;youlookill。\"
\"I’dliketo,butIcan’t,\"saidCarroll。\"Thefactis,Ipaidinadvancefortheserooms,andifIlivedanywhereelseI’dbelosingfiveguineasaweekonthem。\"
MissCavendishregardedhimseverely。ShehadneverquitemasteredhisAmericanhumor。
\"Butfiveguineas——whythat’snothingtoyou,\"shesaid。
Somethinginthelodger’sfacemadeherpause。\"Youdon’tmean————\"
\"Yes,Ido,\"saidthelodger,smiling。\"Yousee,IstartedintolaysiegetoLondonwithoutsufficientammunition。Londonisalargetown,anditdidn’tfallasquicklyasIthoughtitwould。
SoIameconomizing。Mr。Lockhart’sCoffeeRoomsandIarenolongerstrangers。\"
MissCavendishputdownhercupofteauntastedandleanedtowardhim\"Areyouinearnest?\"sheasked。\"Forhowlong?\"
\"Oh,forthelastmonth,\"repliedthelodger;\"theyarenotatallbad——cleanandwholesomeandallthat。\"
\"Butthesuppersyougaveus,andthis,\"shecried,suddenly,wavingherhandsovertheprettytea-things,\"andthecakeandmuffins?\"
\"Myfriends,atleast,\"saidCarroll,\"neednotgotoLockhart’s。\"
\"AndtheSavoy?\"askedMissCavendish,mournfullyshakingherhead。
\"Adreamofthepast,\"saidCarroll,wavinghispipethroughthesmoke。\"Gatti’s?Yes,onspecialoccasions;butfornecessity,theChancellor’s,whereonegetsapieceoftheprimeroastbeefofOldEngland,fromChicago,andpotatoesforninepence——apotofbittertwopence-halfpenny,andapennyforthewaiter。It’smostamusingonthewhole。IamlearningalittleaboutLondon,andsomethingsaboutmyself。Theyarebothmostinterestingsubjects。\"
\"Well,Idon’tlikeit,\"MissCavendishdeclaredhelplessly。
\"WhenIthinkofthosesuppersandtheflowers,Ifeel——Ifeellikearobber。\"
\"Don’t,\"beggedCarroll。\"Iamreallythemosthappyofmen——
thatis,asthechapsaysintheplay,IwouldbeifIwasn’tsodamnedmiserable。ButIowenomanapennyandIhaveassets——I
haveL?0tolastmethroughthewinterandtwomarvellousplays;andIlove,nexttoyourself,themostwonderfulwomanGodevermade。That’senough。\"
\"ButIthoughtyoumadesuchalotofmoneybywriting?\"askedMissCavendish。
\"Ido——thatis,Icould,\"answeredCarroll,\"ifIwrotethethingsthatsell;butIkeeponwritingplaysthatwon’t。\"
\"Andsuchplays!\"exclaimedMarion,warmly;\"andtothinkthattheyaregoingbegging。\"Shecontinuedindignantly,\"Ican’timaginewhatthemanagersdowant。\"
\"Iknowwhattheydon’twant,\"saidtheAmerican。MissCavendishdrummedimpatientlyonthetea-tray。
\"Iwishyouwouldn’tbesoabjectaboutit,\"shesaid。\"IfI
wereamanI’dmakethemtakethoseplays。\"
\"How?\"askedtheAmerican;\"withagun?\"
\"Well,I’dkeepatituntiltheyreadthem,\"declaredMarion。
\"I’dsitontheirfrontstepsallnightandI’dfollowthemincabs,andI’dlieinwaitforthematthestage-door。I’djustmakethemtakethem。\"
Carrollsighedandstaredattheceiling。\"IguessI’llgiveupandgohome,\"hesaid。
\"Oh,yes,do,runawaybeforeyouarebeaten,\"saidMissCavendish,scornfully。\"Why,youcan’tgonow。Everybodywillbebackintownsoon,andtherearealotofnewplayscomingon,andsomeofthemaresuretobefailures,andthat’sourchance。
Yourushinwithyourpieceandsomebodymaytakeitsoonerthanclosethetheatre。\"
\"I’mthinkingofclosingthetheatremyself,\"saidCarroll。
\"What’stheuseofmyhangingonhere?\"heexclaimed。\"ItdistressesHelentoknowIaminLondon,feelingaboutherasI
do——andtheLordonlyknowshowitdistressesme。And,maybe,ifIwentaway,\"hesaid,consciously,\"shemightmissme。Shemightseethedifference。\"
MissCavendishheldherselferectandpressedherlipstogetherwithaseveresmile。\"IfHelenCabotdoesn’tseethedifferencebetweenyouandtheothermensheknowsnow,\"shesaid,\"Idoubtifsheeverwill。Besides——\"shecontinued,andthenhesitated。
\"Well,goon,\"urgedCarroll。
\"Well,Iwasonlygoingtosay,\"sheexplained,\"thatleavingthegirlaloneneverdidthemananygoodunlessheleftheralonewillingly。Ifshe’ssurehestillcares,it’sjustthesametoherwhereheis。HemightaswellstayoninLondonasgotoSouthAfrica。Itwon’thelphimany。Thedifferencecomeswhenshefindshehasstoppedcaring。Why,lookatReggie。Hetriedthat。Hewentawayforeversolong,buthekeptwritingmefromwhereverhewent,sothathewasperfectlymiserable——andIwentonenjoyingmyself。Thenwhenhecameback,hetriedgoingaboutwithhisoldfriendsagain。Heusedtocometothetheatrewiththem——oh,withsuchnicegirls——buthealwaysstoodinthebackoftheboxandyawnedandscowled——soIknew。And,anyway,he’dalwaysspoilitallbyleavingthemandwaitingatthestageentranceforme。ButonedayhegottiredofthewayItreatedhimandwentoffonabicycletourwithLadyHacksher’sgirlsandsomemenfromhisregiment,andhewasgonethreeweeksandneversentmeevenaline;andIgotsoscared;Icouldn’tsleep,andIstooditforthreedaysmore,andthenIwiredhimtocomebackorI’djumpoffLondonBridge;andhecamebackthatverynightfromEdinburghontheexpress,andIwassogladtoseehimthatIgotconfused,andinthegeneralexcitementIpromisedtomarryhim,sothat’showitwaswithus。\"
\"Yes,\"saidtheAmerican,withoutenthusiasm;\"butthenIstillcare,andHelenknowsIcare。\"
\"Doesn’tsheeverfancythatyoumightcareforsomeoneelse?
Youhavealotoffriends,youknow。\"
\"Yes,butsheknowstheyarejustthat——friends,\"saidtheAmerican。
MissCavendishstooduptogo,andarrangedherveilbeforethemirrorabovethefireplace。
\"Icomehereveryoftentotea,\"shesaid。
\"It’sverykindofyou,\"saidCarroll。Hewasattheopenwindow,lookingdownintothestreetforacab。
\"Well,nooneknowsIamengagedtoReggie,\"continuedMissCavendish,\"exceptyouandReggie,andheisn’tsosure。SHE
doesn’tknowit。\"
\"Well?\"saidCarroll。
MissCavendishsmiledamischievouskindlysmileathimfromthemirror。
\"Well?\"sherepeated,mockingly。Carrollstaredatherandlaughed。Afterapausehesaid:\"It’slikeaplotinacomedy。
ButI’mafraidI’mtooseriousforplay-acting。\"
\"Yes,itisserious,\"saidMissCavendish。SheseatedherselfagainandregardedtheAmericanthoughtfully。\"Youaretoogoodamantobetreatedthewaythatgirlistreatingyou,andnooneknowsitbetterthanshedoes。She’llchangeintime,butjustnowshethinksshewantstobeindependent。She’sinlovewiththispicture-paintingidea,andwiththepeopleshemeets。It’sallnewtoher——thefusstheymakeoverherandthetitles,andthewaysheisaskedabout。Weknowshecan’tpaint。Weknowtheyonlygivehercommissionsbecauseshe’ssoyoungandpretty,andAmerican。Sheamusesthem,that’sall。Well,thatcannotlast;she’llfinditout。She’stoocleveragirl,andsheistoofineagirltobecontentwiththatlong。Then——thenshe’llcomebacktoyou。Shefeelsnowthatshehasbothyouandtheothers,andshe’smakingyouwait:sowaitandbecheerful。
She’sworthwaitingfor;she’syoung,that’sall。She’llseethedifferenceintime。But,inthemeanwhile,itwouldhurrymattersabitifshethoughtshehadtochoosebetweenthenewfriendsandyou。\"
\"Shecouldstillkeepherfriends,andmarryme,\"saidCarroll;
\"Ihavetoldherthatahundredtimes。Shecouldstillpaintminiaturesandmarryme。Butshewon’tmarryme。\"
\"Shewon’tmarryyoubecausesheknowsshecanwhenevershewantsto;\"criedMarion。\"Can’tyouseethat?Butifshethoughtyouweregoingtomarrysomeoneelsenow?\"
\"Shewouldbethefirsttocongratulateme,\"saidCarroll。Heroseandwalkedtothefireplace,whereheleanedwithhisarmonthemantel。TherewasaphotographofHelenCabotnearhishand,andheturnedthistowardhimandstoodforsometimestaringatit。\"MydearMarion,\"hesaidatlast,\"I’veknownHeleneversinceshewasasyoungasthat。EveryyearI’velovedhermore,andfoundnewthingsinhertocarefor;nowIlovehermorethananyothermaneverlovedanyotherwoman。\"
MissCavendishshookherheadsympathetically。
\"Yes,Iknow,\"shesaid;\"that’sthewayReggielovesme,too。\"
Carrollwentonasthoughhehadnotheardher。
\"There’sabenchinSt。James’sPark,\"hesaid,\"whereweusedtositwhenshefirstcamehere,whenshedidn’tknowsomanypeople。Weusedtogothereinthemorningandthrowpennybunstotheducks。That’sbeenmyamusementthissummersinceyou’veallbeenaway——sittingonthatbench,feedingpennybunstothesillyducks——especiallytheblackone,theonesheusedtolikebest。AndImakepilgrimagestoalltheotherplacesweevervisitedtogether,andtrytopretendsheiswithme。AndI
supportthecrossingsweeperatLansdownePassagebecausesheoncesaidshefeltsorryforhim。Idoalltheotherabsurdthingsthatamaninlovetortureshimselfbydoing。Buttowhatend?SheknowshowIcare,andyetshewon’tseewhywecan’tgoonbeingfriendsasweoncewere。What’stheuseofitall?\"
\"Sheisyoung,Itellyou,\"repeatedMissCavendish,\"andshe’stoosureofyou。You’vetoldheryoucare;nowtrymakingherthinkyoudon’tcare。\"
Carrollshookhisheadimpatiently。
\"Iwillnotstooptosuchtricksandpretence,Marion,\"hecriedimpatiently。\"AllIhaveismyloveforher;ifIhavetocheatandtotrapherintocaring,thewholethingwouldbedegraded。\"
MissCavendishshruggedhershouldersandwalkedtothedoor。
\"Suchamateurs!\"sheexclaimed,andbangedthedoorafterher。
CarrollneverquiteknewhowhehadcometomakeaconfidanteofMissCavendish。HelenandhehadmetherwhentheyfirstarrivedinLondon,andasshehadactedforaseasonintheUnitedStates,sheadoptedthetwoAmericans——andtoldHelenwheretogoforbootsandhats,andadvisedCarrollaboutplacinghisplays。
Helensoonmadeotherfriends,anddesertedtheartists,withwhomherworkhadfirstthrownher。Sheseemedtopreferthesocietyofthepeoplewhoboughtherpaintings,andwhoadmiredandmademuchofthepainter。Asshewasverybeautifulandatanagewhensheenjoyedeverythinginlifekeenlyandeagerly,togiveherpleasurewasinitselfadistinctpleasure;andtheworldlytiredpeopleshemetwereconsideringtheirownentertainmentquiteasmuchasherswhentheyaskedhertotheirdinnersanddances,ortospendaweekwiththeminthecountry。Inherway,shewasasindependentaswasCarrollinhis,andasshewasnotinlove,ashewas,herlifewasnotnarroweddowntobutoneideal。Butshewasnotsoyoungastoconsiderherselfinfallible,andshehadoneexcellentfriendonwhomshewasdependentforadviceandtowhosedirectionsshesubmittedimplicitly。ThiswasLadyGower,theonlypersontowhomHelenhadspokenofCarrollandofhisgreatfeelingforher。LadyGower,immediatelyafterhermarriage,hadbeenaconspicuousandbrilliantfigureinthatsetinLondonwhichworkseighteenhoursadaytokeepitselfamused,butafterthedeathofherhusbandshehaddisappearedintothecountryascompletelyasthoughshehadenteredaconvent,andafterseveralyearshadthenre-enteredtheworldasaprofessionalphilanthropist。HernamewasnowassociatedentirelywithWomen’sLeagues,withcommitteesthatpresentedpetitionstoParliament,andwithpublicmeetings,atwhichshespokewithmarvellouseaseandeffect。Heroldfriendssaidshehadtakenupthisnewposeasanoutletforhernervousenergies,andasanefforttoforgetthemanwhoalonehadmadelifeserioustoher。
Othersknewherasanearnestwoman,actinghonestlyforwhatshethoughtwasright。Hersuccess,alladmitted,wasduetoherknowledgeoftheworldandtohersenseofhumor,whichtaughtherwithwhomtouseherwealthandposition,andwhentodemandwhatshewantedsolelyonthegroundthatthecausewasjust。
ShehadtakenmorethanafancyforHelen,andthepositionofthebeautiful,motherlessgirlhadappealedtoherasonefilledwithdangers。WhenshegrewtoknowHelenbetter,sherecognizedthatthesefearswerequiteunnecessary,andasshesawmoreofhershelearnedtocareforherdeeply。HelenhadtoldhermuchofCarrollandofhisdoublepurposeincomingtoLondon;ofhisbrilliantworkandhislackofsuccessinhavingitrecognized;andofhisgreatandloyaldevotiontoher,andofhislackofsuccess,notinhavingthatrecognized,butinherowninabilitytoreturnit。HelenwasproudthatshehadbeenabletomakeCarrollcareforherashedid,andthattherewasanythingaboutherwhichcouldinspireamanwhomsheadmiredsomuch,tobelieveinhersoabsolutelyandforsolongatime。
Butwhatconvincedherthattheoutcomeforwhichhehopedwasimpossible,wastheveryfactthatshecouldadmirehim,andseehowfineandunselfishhisloveforherwas,andyetremainuntouchedbyit。
ShehadbeentellingLadyGoweronedayofthecarehehadtakenofhereversinceshewasfourteenyearsofage,andhadquotedsomeofthefriendlyandloverlikeactshehadperformedinherservice,untilonedaytheyhadbothfoundoutthathisattitudeoftheelderbrotherwasnolongerpossible,andthathelovedherintheoldandonlyway。LadyGowerlookedatherratherdoubtfullyandsmiled。
\"Iwishyouwouldbringhimtoseeme,Helen\"shesaid;\"IthinkIshouldlikeyourfriendverymuch。FromwhatyoutellmeofhimIdoubtifyouwillfindmanysuchmenwaitingforyouinthiscountry。Ourmenmarryforreasonsofproperty,ortheyloveblindly,andareexactingandselfishbeforeandaftertheyaremarried。Iknow,becausesomanywomencametomewhenmyhusbandwasalivetoaskhowitwasthatIcontinuedsohappyinmymarriedlife。\"
\"ButIdon’twanttomarryanyone,\"Helenremonstratedgently。
\"Americangirlsarenotalwaysthinkingonlyofgettingmarried。\"
\"WhatImeantwasthis,\"saidLadyGower,\"that,inmyexperience,Ihaveheardofbutfewmenwhocareinthewaythisyoungmanseemstocareforyou。Yousayyoudonotlovehim;
butifhehadwantedtogainmyinterest,hecouldnothavepleadedhiscausebetterthanyouhavedone。Heseemstoseeyourfaultsandyetloveyoustill,inspiteofthem——oronaccountofthem。AndIlikethethingshedoesforyou。Ilike,forinstance,hissendingyouthebookofthemomenteveryweekfortwoyears。Thatshowsamostunswervingspiritofdevotion。Andthestoryofthebrokenbridgeinthewoodsisawonderfulstory。IfIwereayounggirl,Icouldloveamanforthatalone。Itwasabeautifulthingtodo。\"
Helensatwithherchinonherhands,deeplyconsideringthisnewpointofview。
\"Ithoughtitveryfoolishofhim,\"sheconfessedquestioningly,\"totakesuchariskforsuchalittlething。\"
LadyGowersmileddownatherfromtheheightofhermanyyears。
\"Wait,\"shesaiddryly,\"youareveryyoungnow——andveryrich;
everyoneiscrowdingtogiveyoupleasure,toshowhisadmiration。Youareaveryfortunategirl。Butlater,thesethingswhichsomemanhasdonebecausehelovedyou,andwhichyoucallfoolish,willgrowlargeinyourlife,andshineoutstrongly,andwhenyouarediscouragedandalone,youwilltakethemout,andthememoryofthemwillmakeyouproudandhappy。
Theyarethehonorswhichwomenwearinsecret。\"
HelencamebacktotowninSeptember,andforthefirstfewdayswassooccupiedinrefurnishingherstudioandinvisitingtheshopsthatsheneglectedtosendCarrollwordofherreturn。
Whenshefoundthatawholeweekhadpassedwithoutherhavingmadeanyefforttoseehim,andappreciatedhowthefactwouldhurtherfriend,shewasfilledwithremorse,anddroveatonceingreathastetoJermynStreet,toannounceherreturninperson。Onthewayshedecidedthatshewouldsoftentheblowofherweekofneglectbyaskinghimtotakeherouttoluncheon。
Thisprivilegeshehadonceortwiceaccordedhim,andshefeltthatthepleasuretheseexcursionsgaveCarrollwereworththeconsternationtheycausedtoLadyGower。
TheservantwasuncertainwhetherMr。Carrollwasathomeornot,butHelenwastoointentuponmakingrestitutiontowaitforthefacttobedetermined,and,runningupthestairs,knockedsharplyatthedoorofhisstudy。
Avoicebadehercomein,andsheentered,radiantandsmilingherwelcome。ButCarrollwasnottheretoreceiveit,andinstead,MarionCavendishlookedupatherfromhisdeskwhereshewasbusilywriting。Helenpausedwithasurprisedlaugh,butMarionsprangupandhailedhergladly。Theymethalfwayacrosstheroomandkissedeachotherwiththemostfriendlyfeeling。
Philipwasout,Marionsaid,andshehadjuststeppedinforamomenttowritehimanote。IfHelenwouldexcuseher,shewouldfinishit,asshewaslateforrehearsal。
Butsheaskedoverhershoulder,withgreatinterest,ifHelenhadpassedapleasantsummer。Shethoughtshehadneverseenherlookingsowell。HelenthoughtMissCavendishherselfwaslookingverywellalso,butMarionsaidno;thatshewastoosunburnt,shewouldnotbeabletowearadinner-dressforamonth。TherewasapausewhileMarion’squillscratchedviolentlyacrossCarroll’snote-paper。Helenfeltthatinsomewayshewasbeingtreatedasanintruder;orworse,asaguest。
Shedidnotsitdown,itseemedimpossibletodoso,butshemoveduncertainlyabouttheroom。Shenotedthatthereweremanychanges,itseemedmorebareandempty;herpicturewasstillonthewriting-desk,buttherewereatleastsixnewphotographsofMarion。Marionherselfhadbroughtthemtotheroomthatmorning,andhadcarefullyarrangedtheminconspicuousplaces。ButHelencouldnotknowthat。Shethoughttherewasanunnecessaryamountofwritingscribbledoverthefaceofeach。
Marionaddressedherletterandwrote\"Immediate\"acrosstheenvelope,andplaceditbeforetheclockonthemantelshelf。
\"YouwillfindPhiliplookingverybadly,\"shesaid,asshepulledonhergloves。\"Hehasbeenintownallsummer,workingveryhard——hehashadnoholidayatall。Idon’tthinkhe’swell。Ihavebeenagreatdealworriedabouthim,\"sheadded。
Herfacewasbentoverthebuttonsofherglove,andwhensheraisedherblueeyestoHelentheywerefilledwithseriousconcern。
\"Really,\"Helenstammered,\"I——Ididn’tknow——inhislettersheseemedverycheerful。\"
Marionshookherheadandturnedandstoodlookingthoughtfullyoutofthewindow。\"He’sinaveryhardplace,\"shebeganabruptly,andthenstoppedasthoughshehadthoughtbetterofwhatsheintendedtosay。Helentriedtoaskhertogoon,butcouldnotbringherselftodoso。Shewantedtogetaway。
\"ItellhimheoughttoleaveLondon,\"Marionbeganagain;\"heneedsachangeandarest。\"
\"Ishouldthinkhemight,\"Helenagreed,\"afterthreemonthsofthisheat。HewrotemeheintendedgoingtoHerneBayorovertoOstend。\"
\"Yes,hehadmeanttogo,\"Marionanswered。ShespokewiththeairofonewhopossessedthemostintimateknowledgeofCarroll’smovementsandplans,andchangeofplans。\"Buthecouldn’t,\"sheadded。\"Hecouldn’taffordit。Helen,\"shesaid,turningtotheothergirl,dramatically,\"doyouknow——IbelievethatPhilipisverypoor。\"
MissCabotexclaimedincredulously,\"Poor!\"Shelaughed。\"Why,whatdoyoumean?\"
\"Imeanthathehasnomoney,\"Marionanswered,sharply。\"Theseroomsrepresentnothing。Heonlykeepsthemonbecausehepaidfortheminadvance。He’sbeenlivingonthreeshillingsaday。
That’spoorforhim。Hetakeshismealsatcabmen’ssheltersandatLockhart’s,andhe’sbeendoingsoforamonth。\"
HelenrecalledwithaguiltythrillthereceiptofcertainboxesofLaFranceroses——cutlong,intheAmericanfashion——whichhadarrivedwithinthelastmonthatvariouscountryhouses。Shefeltindignantatherself,andmiserable。Herindignationwaslargelyduetotherecollectionthatshehadgiventheseflowerstoherhostesstodecoratethedinner-table。
Shehatedtoaskthisgirlofthingswhichsheshouldhaveknownbetterthananyoneelse。Butsheforcedherselftodoit。Shefeltshemustknowcertainlyandatonce。
\"Howdoyouknowthis?\"sheasked。\"Areyousurethereisnomistake?\"
\"Hetoldmehimself,\"saidMarion,\"whenhetalkedoflettingtheplaysgoandreturningtoAmerica。Hesaidhemustgoback;
thathismoneywasgone。\"
\"HeisgonetoAmerica!\"Helensaid,blankly。
\"No,hewantedtogo,butIwouldn’tlethim,\"Marionwenton。
\"Itoldhimthatsomeonemighttakehisplayanyday。Andthisthirdonehehaswritten,theonehefinishedthissummerintown,isthebestofall,Ithink。It’salove-story。It’squitebeautiful。\"Sheturnedandarrangedherveilattheglass,andasshedidso,hereyesfellonthephotographsofherselfscatteredoverthemantelpiece,andshesmiledslightly。ButHelendidnotseeher——shewassittingdownnow,pullingatthebooksonthetable。Shewasconfusedanddisturbedbyemotionswhichwerequitestrangetoher,andwhenMarionbadehergood-byshehardlynoticedherdeparture。WhatimpressedhermostofallinwhatMarionhadtoldher,was,shewassurprisedtofind,thatPhilipwasgoingaway。Thatsheherselfhadfrequentlyurgedhimtodoso,forhisownpeaceofmind,seemednowofnoconsequence。Nowthatheseriouslycontemplatedit,sherecognizedthathisabsencemeanttoherachangeineverything。Shefeltforthefirsttimethepeculiarplaceheheldinherlife。Evenifshehadseenhimbutseldom,thefactthathewaswithincallhadbeenmoreofacomfortandanecessitytoherthansheunderstood。
Thathewaspoor,concernedherchieflybecausesheknewthat,althoughthisconditioncouldonlybebuttemporary,itwoulddistresshimnottohavehisfriendsaroundhim,andtoentertainthemashehadbeenusedtodo。Shewonderedeagerlyifshemightoffertohelphim,butasecondthoughtassuredherthat,foraman,thatsortofhelpfromawomanwasimpossible。
SheresentedthefactthatMarionwasdeepinhisconfidence;
thatitwasMarionwhohadtoldherofhischangedconditionandofhisplans。Itannoyedhersoacutelythatshecouldnotremainintheroomwhereshehadseenhersocomplacentlyinpossession。AndafterleavingabriefnoteforPhilip,shewentaway。Shestoppedahansomatthedoor,andtoldthemantodrivealongtheEmbankment——shewantedtobequitealone,andshefeltshecouldseenooneuntilshehadthoughtitallout,andhadanalyzedthenewfeelings。
Soforseveralhoursshedroveslowlyupanddown,sunkfarbackinthecushionsofthecab,andstaringwithunseeingeyesatthewhiteenamelledtariffandtheblackdash-board。
SheassuredherselfthatshewasnotjealousofMarion,because,inordertobejealous,shefirstwouldhavetocareforPhilipintheverywayshecouldnotbringherselftodo。
ShedecidedthathisinterestinMarionhurther,becauseitshowedthatPhilipwasnotcapableofremainingtruetotheoneidealofhislife。Shewassurethatthisexplainedherfeelings——shewasdisappointedthathehadnotkeptuptohisownstandard;thathewasweakenoughtoturnasidefromitforthefirstprettypairofeyes。Butshewastoohonestandtoojusttoacceptthatdiagnosisofherfeelingsasfinal——sheknewtherehadbeenmanypairsofeyesinAmericaandinLondon,andthatthoughPhiliphadseenthem,hehadnotansweredthemwhentheyspoke。No,sheconfessedfrankly,shewashurtwithherselfforneglectingheroldfriendsoselfishlyandforsolongatime;hislovegavehimclaimsonherconsideration,atleast,andshehadforgottenthatandhim,andhadrunafterstrangegodsandallowedotherstocomeinandtakeherplace,andtogivehimthesympathyandhelpwhichsheshouldhavebeenthefirsttooffer,andwhichwouldhavecountedmorewhencomingfromherthanfromanyoneelse。Shedeterminedtomakeamendsatonceforherthoughtlessnessandselfishness,andherbrainwaspleasantlyoccupiedwithplansandactsofkindness。Itwasanewentertainment,andshefoundshedelightedinit。ShedirectedthecabmantogotoSolomons’s,andfromtheresentPhilipabunchofflowersandalinesayingthatonthefollowingdayshewascomingtotaketeawithhim。Shehadaguiltyfeelingthathemightconsiderherfriendlyadvancesmoreseriouslythanshemeantthem,butitwasherpleasuretobereckless:herfeelingswererunningriotously,andthesensationwassonewthatsherefusedtobecircumspectortoconsiderconsequences。Whocouldtell,sheaskedherselfwithaquick,frightenedgasp,butthat,afterall,itmightbethatshewaslearningtocare?FromSolomons’sshebadethemandrivetotheshopinCranbourneStreetwhereshewasaccustomedtopurchasethematerialssheusedinpainting,andFate,whichusesstrangeagentstoworkoutitsends,sodirecteditthatthecabmanstoppedafewdoorsbelowthisshop,andoppositeonewherejewelryandotherpersonaleffectswereboughtandsold。
Atanyothertime,orhadshebeeninanyothermood,whatfollowedmightnothaveoccurred,butFate,inthepersonofthecabman,arrangeditsothatthehourandtheopportunitycametogether。
Thereweresomeoldmezzotintsinthewindowoftheloanshop,astringofcoinsandmedals,arowofnewFrenchposters;andfardowntothefrontatrayfilledwithgoldandsilvercigarette-
casesandwatchesandrings。ItoccurredtoHelen,whowasstillbentonmakingrestitutionforherneglect,thatacigarette-casewouldbemoreappropriateforamanthanflowers,andmorelasting。AndshescannedthecontentsofthewindowwiththeeyeofonewhonowsawineverythingonlysomethingwhichmightgivePhilippleasure。Thetwoobjectsofvalueinthetrayuponwhichhereyesfirstfellwerethegoldseal-ringwithwhichPhiliphadsealedhisletterstoher,and,lyingnexttoit,hisgoldwatch!Therewassomethingalmosthumaninthewaytheringandwatchspoketoherfromthepast——inthewaytheyappealedtohertorescuethemfromthesurroundingstowhichtheyhadbeenabandoned。ShedidnotknowwhatshemeanttodowiththemnorhowshecouldreturnthemtoPhilip;buttherewasnoquestionofdoubtinhermannerasshesweptwitharushintotheshop。
Therewasnoattempt,either,atbargaininginthewayinwhichshepointedouttotheyoungwomanbehindthecountertheparticularringandwatchshewanted。Theyhadnotbeenleftascollateral,theyoungwomansaid;theyhadbeensoldoutright。
\"Thenanyonecanbuythem?\"Helenaskedeagerly。\"Theyareforsaletothepublic——toanyone?\"
Theyoungwomanmadenoteofthecustomer’seagerness,butwithanunmovedcountenance。
\"Yes,miss,theyareforsale。Theringisfourpoundsandthewatchtwenty-five。\"
\"Twenty-ninepounds!\"Helengasped。
Thatwasmoremoneythanshehadintheworld,butthefactdidnotdistressher,forshehadatrueartisticdisregardforreadymoney,andtheabsenceofithadneverdisturbedher。Butnowitassumedasuddenandalarmingvalue。Shehadtenpoundsinherpurseandtenpoundsatherstudio——thesewerejustenoughtopayforaquarter’srentandtherates,andtherewasahatandcloakinBondStreetwhichshecertainlymusthave。Heronlyassetsconsistedofthepossibilitythatsomeonemightsoonorderaminiature,andtohermindthatwassufficient。Someonealwayshadorderedaminiature,andtherewasnoreasonabledoubtbutthatsomeonewoulddoitagain。Foramomentshequestionedifitwouldnotbesufficientifsheboughttheringandallowedthewatchtoremain。Butsherecognizedthattheringmeantmoretoherthanthewatch,whilethelatter,asanoldheirloomwhichhadbeenpasseddowntohimfromagreat-grandfather,meantmoretoPhilip。ItwasforPhilipshewasdoingthis,sheremindedherself。Shestoodholdinghispossessions,oneineachhand,andlookingattheyoungwomanblankly。ShehadnodoubtinhermindthatatleastpartofthemoneyhehadreceivedforthemhadpaidfortheflowershehadsenttoherinScotland。
Thecertaintyofthislefthernochoice。Shelaidtheringandwatchdownandpulledtheonlyringshepossessedfromherownfinger。ItwasagiftfromLadyGower。Shehadnodoubtthatitwasofgreatvalue。
\"Canyoulendmesomemoneyonthat?\"sheasked。Itwasthefirsttimeshehadconductedabusinesstransactionofthisnature,andshefeltasthoughshewereengaginginaburglary。
\"Wedon’tlendmoney,miss,\"thegirlsaid,\"webuyoutright。I
cangiveyoutwenty-eightshillingsforthis,\"sheadded。
\"Twenty-eightshillings,\"Helengasped;\"why,itisworth——oh,eversomuchmorethanthat!\"
\"Thatisallitisworthtous,\"thegirlanswered。Sheregardedtheringindifferentlyandlaiditawayfromheronthecounter。
Theactionwasfinal。
Helen’shandsroseslowlytoherbreast,whereaprettywatchdangledfromabowknotofcrusheddiamonds。Itwasheronlypossession,andshewasveryfondofit。ItalsowasthegiftofoneoftheseveralgreatladieswhohadadoptedhersinceherresidenceinLondon。Helenhadpaintedaminiatureofthisparticulargreatladywhichhadlookedsobeautifulthatthepleasurewhichtheoriginaloftheportraitderivedfromthethoughtthatshestillreallylookedasshedidintheminiaturewasworthmoretoherthanmanydiamonds。
ButitwasdifferentwithHelen,andnoonecouldcountwhatitcosthertotearawayheroneproudpossession。
\"Whatwillyougivemeforthis?\"sheaskeddefiantly。
Thegirl’seyesshowedgreaterinterest。\"Icangiveyoutwentypoundsforthat,\"shesaid。
\"Takeit,please,\"Helenbegged,asthoughshefearedifshekeptitamomentlongershemightnotbeabletomakethesacrifice。
\"Thatwillbeenoughnow,\"shewenton,takingoutherten-poundnote。SheputLadyGower’sringbackuponherfingerandpickedupPhilip’sringandwatchwiththepleasureofonewhohascomeintoagreatfortune。Sheturnedbackatthedoor。
\"Oh,\"shestammered,\"incaseanyoneshouldinquire,youarenottosaywhoboughtthese。\"
\"No,miss,certainlynot,\"saidthewoman。Helengavethedirectiontothecabmanand,closingthedoorsofthehansom,satlookingdownatthewatchandthering,astheylayinherlap。
Thethoughtthattheyhadbeenhismostvaluedpossessions,whichhehadabandonedforever,andthattheywerenowentirelyhers,todowithassheliked,filledherwithmostintensedelightandpleasure。Shetookuptheheavygoldringandplaceditonthelittlefingerofherlefthand;itwasmuchtoolarge,andsheremoveditandbalanceditforamomentdoubtfullyinthepalmofherrighthand。Shewassmiling,andherfacewaslitwithshyandtenderthoughts。Shecastaquickglancetotheleftandrightasthoughfearfulthatpeoplepassinginthestreetwouldobserveher,andthenslippedtheringoverthefourthfingerofherlefthand。Shegazedatitwithaguiltysmileandthen,coveringithastilywithherotherhand,leanedback,claspingitclosely,andsatfrowningfaroutbeforeherwithpuzzledeyes。
ToCarrollallroadsledpastHelen’sstudio,andduringthesummer,whileshehadbeenabsentinScotlanditwasoneofhissadpleasurestomakeapilgrimagetoherstreetandtopauseoppositethehouseandlookupattheemptywindowsofherrooms。
Itwasduringthisdailyexercisethathelearned,throughthearrivalofherluggage,ofherreturntoLondon,andwhendayfolloweddaywithoutherhavingshownanydesiretoseehimortotellhimofherreturnhedenouncedhimselfmostbitterlyasafatuousfool。