CONFIDENCE.

BY

HENRY

JAMES,

JR.

Fifth

Edition.

BOSTON:

HOUGHTON,
New York:

MIFFLIN
11

AND

COMPAMY.
Street.

East

Seventeenth

Camfcri"ge.

Copyright,

1880,

BY HENRY

JAMES,

JR.

CONFIDENCE.

IT ville had

was

in

the

early days spending

northward duties the that

of the with

April
winter the

Bernard
in

LongueKoine. He of the

had

been

travelled
social side of

consciousness
to

several further of the

appealed
but he he
five but
was

him

from

Alps,

under
a

the

charm
for

Italian He

spring,,
had
to

and

made

pretext Siena,
still
was a

lingering.
he had

spent

days
two,

at

where
it
was

intended
to

spend
his

and / He

impossible
man

continue

journey.
and

young and

of
was

contemplative
his first he
for visit
to not

speculative
so

turn,
he

this

Italy,
be and

that

if

dallied He
con

by
had

the
a

way

should

harshly
it
was

judged..
on

fancy
to

sketching,
a

his

science
two

take
at

few

pictorial
both
of

notes.

There

were

old

inns

Siena,
one

them

very

shabby
had

and taken arch

very
up

dirty.
his abode

The
was

at

which

Longueville
a

entered

by

dark,
at

pestiferous
a

way,

surmounted been
to

by
read
renounce

sign
the all

which travellers

distance the other

might
Dautean
was

have

by

as

injunction

hope.

The

not

6 far he
to
one

CONFIDENCE.

and off,
saw

the

day

after his

as arrival,

he

passed it,

two

ladies

going

in

who

evidentlybelonged
and tourists,

the of

large fraternityof Anglo-Saxon

whom
was

young

and

carried
"

herself
more

very his
a

well. share
"

had \Longueville of

his share this the

:

or

than

and gallantry^ had gone

to

incident other
at

awakened
inn
own

regret. If he
have
ment

he

might

had

charming
was no one

company but in
an

his

establish

there
bad
to

aesthetic German
He dining-room. Nj

who
re

smoked

tobacco that

the
was

marked
the

himself
was

this

always
of

his luck, and

man

remark
with

characteristic

the

; it

was

charged
not

the

feeling of
it
was

the the

moment,
result

but of
an

it

was

absolutely just;
made

acute ; but

impression
failed
in

by

the

particularoccasion
a

it

appreciationof

providence
with

which

had

career sprinkledLongueville's

happy
his

accidents

"

in which accidents, especially,

not

characteristic
of
exer

gallantrywas
cise.
He .;

allowed

to

rust

for want

lounged, however,
bright,still days
entertainment of the
a

contentedly enough
of
a

through drawing

these
much

Tuscan the

April, picfew
to

from

high
Siena, a

turesqueness
years the

things about
giftof
No

hinA
the

since,was

flawless

Middle

Ages
fond
a

modern been

imagination.
more

other
an

Italian observer

city could
of of

have

interestingto
manners.

obsolete reconstructing Bernard

''_Thiswas had
a

taste

who Longueville's,

relish

for

serious

CONFIDENCE.

7 had made several friends

had

and literature,

at

one

time

lively

excursions into mediaeval

him very

history. His
the
was same

thought
an

clever, and
him

at

time

easy

feelingabout
from lent

which
He
was

tribute

to his freedom
an

pedantry.

clever

indeed, and
measure

excel
bril-*"

companion
He

but
success

the

real

of he

his

liancy was
himself. his
own

in the
was

with

which
to

entertained

j
J

much he
was

addicted

conversingwith
his
own

wit, and
as

greatlyenjoyed
in

society.

Clever
am

he often
sure

talking with things,as

And
this

his friends,I the

was

not not

that

his
own

best
ears.

phrase is,
not
on

were

for

his

account

of any his
I

cynical contempt
:

for the understand

was

ing
what

of

fellow-creatures called that this

a

it

simply
more

because
of
a

have

his

own

societywas
other fond
of

stimulus he
on was

than
not

of most
reason

people.

And

yet
was,

for

solitude ; he
It
a

the

contrary,
at at

very
outset

sociable
that
to

animal. had

must

be

"J
*

'"
* "

admitted

the

he

nature

which
will

seemed

several

points

contradict
course

as itself,

probably
He and

be

perceivedin
himself
upon

the

of this narration.

entertained meditations

greatlywith
street-life and
If

his reflections
and

Sienese

architecture the he

early
only
he

Tuscan

art, upon

Italian the

geological
had

of idiosyncrasies gone
to
seen

Apennines.

the other inn, that

whom girl nice-looking

had

passing
away

under him

the

dusky portal with

have broken

her

face turned

from

might

bread

CONFIDENCE.

with

him

at this intellectual
.

banquet.
for
a

There

came

day, however,
she the
were

when

it seemed

moment

that crumbs break

"

if of

disposed she

might gather up morning

square

the

feast.
a

Longueville, every
turn

after
Siena where

fast,took
vast

in

the

great
a

of

the the

piazza, shaped
is held

like

horse-shoe,
of

market lated

beneath whose

the windows

that

crenel
a

palace

from

overhanging
up with in the
a

cornice
as

tall, light

straighttower
as

springs

movement

that

of

singleplume

bonnet
a

of

captain.

Here

he

strolled his chaffer

about, watching

brown progress

contadino of

disembarrass
an

donkey, noting
over a

the
of

half

hour's

bundle

carrots,

wishing a
would
at

young him

girl with
sketch

eyes and

like animated

agates

let
the with

her,

gazing
as

up

at

intervals
at contrasts

beautiful,slim
the

tower,
air.

it

played
had

largeblue
of
a

After

he

spent the

greater
made

part
up

week
to

in these

grave

considerations,he
But

his mind what he

leave

Siena.
for

he

was

not

content
was

with

had

done

his

portfolio. Siena
not

eminently sketchable, but

On
the last him of for

he had

been he

industrious. stood

morning
in

of

his

as visit,

staring

about

the crowded

piazza,and feelingthat, in
was an

spite place

its

picturesqueness,this
an

awkward

setting up
of
a

easel,he
corner

bethought himself,
another in
one

by contrast,
town,
walks
which
"

quiet

in upon

part

of

the

he had

chanced
of
a

of his first that

an

angle

lonely

terrace

abutted

CONFIDENCE.

upon

the

wall,where cityseemed of the

an

three
in

or

four
the

superannuated
sunshine
a
"

objects
open

to

slumber

the fresco

door
to

empty

church, with
arch
above it
an on

faded
an

exposed

air in the

and it,
a

ancient

beggar-woman
stool.
about The
as

sitting beside
had

three-legged
which

little terrace
as a

old

polished parapet,
was a

high

man's

breast, above
hills. made
an

view

of

strange, sad-colored
wall of the
town

Outside,
outward

to

the

the left, and

was

bend,
There
of the

exposed its rugged

a

and

rusty complexion.
set

smooth
on

stone

bench

into

the

wall
for
an

church,

which

Longuevillehad
composition
indicated
terrace

rested

hour,

observing
which
the The I

the

of

the

little

picture of
of

have

the

elements, and
form
a

which

parapet

of the
was

would

the

foreground.
he his utensils. took
posses
a

thing

what

painters call
to
come

and subject, with and

had This
sion

promised morning
of

himself
he

back

returned
then

to the inn

them, and

he

made

his way
on

through edge

labyrinthof empty streets, lying

town, within the wall, like
wearer

the

of the of
a

the

superfluousfolds
with old

garment
He
it
as

whose
his and

has

shrunken

age.

reached
sunny
was

little grass-grown
as

terrace, and
The and the old

found
men

private as

before.

dicant
at
was

mumbling
door;
The
of the

sacred petitions,
but
save

profane,
stillness the hoi-

the

church

for

this

unbroken.
surface

yellow

sunshine

warmed

brown

and city-wall,

lighted the

10 lows self
of
on

CONFIDENCE.

the Etruscan
the

hills.

Longueville settled
and, arranging his
to

him little He
an

empty

bench,

portable apparatus, began

worked
for
some

ply
and

his

brushes.

time of
an

smoothly
the absence

with rapidly,

agreeable
seemed he

sense

of

obstacles.

It

almost
a

interruptionwhen,
bell in
was

in the silent air, strike

noon.

heard

distant

the

town

Shortly
The
sound

after of he
a

this, there
soft
saw

another
him

interruption.
to look

footstep caused
a

up

whereupon
and

young upon him

woman

standing there graceful artist.

was

bending her

eyes

the she

second
whom

glance assured
he had and
seen

that into

that inn

nice with

girl
her

going

the she

other had

mother,
from
the

suggested

that He she

just emerged
"

little church.

suspected,however
had been

I
at

hardly know
him
would for
some

why

"

that

looking

moments

before

he

perceived her.
what of

It

perhaps
him

be
; but

impertinent to inquire
in Longueville, three
was

she
an

thought of

the upon

space the

instant, made

two

or

reflections
to

young
was a

lady.
handsome

One

of

them

the

effect that looked

"

she

creature, but
of the

that
was

she
that

rather

bold
"

the burden she

soon was a

other

yes, away

decidedly
almost
time
to

compatriot.
met

She

turned

as

as

she

his eyes ; he had

a

hardly

raise

his hat, as, after

to do.

moment's

lie proceeded hesitation,

She

herself

appeared to
at the

feel

certain

hesita if under

tion ; she

glanced back

church

door, as

CONFIDENCE.

11

the

impulse

to

retrace
"

her steps.
to

She

stood

there
see

moment

longer
a

long enough
of easy
to

let him
"

that she

she

was

person

attitudes

and

then

walked
Here

away

slowly

the

parapet of
arms

the

terrace.

she stationed
stone

herself, leaning her

back

upon

the

high
and
his

ledge,presenting her
rural

to

Longueville,
on

gazing at

Italy. Longueville went attentively than

young
to
"

with He

sketch, but
what

less this

before.

wondered

lady
him
was

was

doing

there

alone, and
"

then

it occurred

that her

companion
The

her

mother, presumably
had
to

in the church.

two
women

ladies

been

in the

church
;

when

he

arrived ; there
not at

liked than

sit in churches
an

they

had

been had

more

half
even

hour, and

the

mother

enough

of it

yet.

The

young that that she

lady, however, Longueville

had
was

present preferred the

view

painting;
self in the

he became
very

aware

placed
His

her first
was

centre

of his

foreground.

feeling was
that
more

that

she would
it.

spoilit ;
Little

his second

she would into

improve
other her

by
arm

little she turned

upon

leaning only one profile,

the
at

the par

apet,while

hand, holding her folded parasol,

She
was

hung
almost

down
as

side.

motionless there
on

; it

was

if she

were

standing

purpose

to

be drawn. Her the

Yes, certainlyshe
and

improved

delicate profile,

thin, defined
of
and
a

picture. itself againstI

;

the

sky, in

the clear shadow

coquettishhat
leaned

her

(I

figure was

light; she

bent

easily;she

"

12

CONFIDENCE.

wore

gray

dress, fastened

up

as

was

then
of
a

the

fashion,and

displayingthe kept
view. my then

broad

edge

crimson ab atti of
was

petticoat.She
sorbed
in the

her
"

position; she
she
"

seemed
is she

Is

posing
"

tudinizingfor
himself.
a

benefit ?

Longueville asked
to him

And

it seemed

that this
was

needless

assumption, for enough

to

the

prospect

quite
there

beautiful
was

be looked
a

at for

and itself,

nothing impossiblein landscape.

put her
like into It will
"

having a love pretty girl

or

of fine
"

But my

posing
sketch.
a

not," he
has

went

on,

I will

She

simply put
There

herself in.
is

give it

human

interest.

nothing

having a
that he

human

interest."

So, with
the

the

ready skill
minutes form

he possessed, his

introduced
at

young
of ten

into girl's figure he of

a

and foreground, made

"If

the end
that be

had

almost

something
she
will
"

had

the

likeness.

only

quiet for
will

another
a

ten

minutes," he said,

the

thing
young

be really
not

the picture." Unfortunately, she had her

lady was
of

quiet;
and

apparentlyhad
She turned

enough
away,
as

her

attitude

view.

and slowly came again, Longueville facing

to re-enter
near

back,
had
to

if

the
as

church. she

To

do

so

she

pass

him, and

approached
one

he

instinctively got
She looked he had
at

up, him

holdinghis drawing in
with again,
as

hand.

that

that expression
few minutes
was

mentally
"

characterized

"bold," a
Her

before

with dense ;

dark,intelligent eyes.
she
was a

hair

dark

and

handsome strikingly

girl

CONFIDENCE.

13

"

am

so
"

sorry You

you
were

in moved," he said,confidently,
so
"

English.
She
ever; out

so

beautiful."
more

stopped, looking
and she

at

him

directlythan
he held

looked
At

at

his

sketch, which

toward

her.

the
was

sketch, however, she

observation He
in
never

only
eye

glanced, whereas
that she bent

there
upon

the

Longueville.
; he

knew she
was

whether

she
have

had
been

blushed

afterward

thought
it

might
not to
"

frightened. Nevertheless,

exactly terror that appeared to dictate her speech. Longueville's

I
am

answer

much
at
means.

obliged to
me

you. ?
"

Don't

you

think

you

have
"

looked

enough
I

By

no

should

like

so

much

to

finish

my
"

drawing."
I
am

not

model," professional

said

the

young

lady.
"

No.

That
"

's my

difficulty," Longueville answered,

to remunerate to

laughing.
The young

I can't propose

you." joke
in in but

lady seemed
She her turned

think
away

this
in

different

taste.

silence;

something play.
"

in

expression,in

his

feelingat
to

the

time, in the
He
see

incited situation,
a

Longueville

higher

felt

livelyneed

of

carryinghis point.
he
went
on,
"

You

it will be pure
act

kindness,"
Five

"

simple

of
me

charity.
as an

minutes

will

be

enough.
She had

Treat

Italian

beggar."
had

laid down

his sketch

and

stepped

for-

14

CONFIDENCE.

ward. and

He

stood

his hands there, obsequious,clasping

smiling.
interruptressstopped
and looked odd
at

His
as

him
;

again,
but she
not

if she

thought

him

very
at

person

seemed

amused.
She

Now,
seemed

any
even

rate, she

was

frightened.
him
"

disposed

to

provoke

little.
to go to my

I wish Where In
"

mother," she said.

?
"

"

is your

mother

the young
I

man

asked.
come

"

the

church, of

course.

did n't

here

alone !
"

Of

course

not

; but

you

may I have

be been

sure

that
that

your little
;

mother

is very It is

contented.

in

church. she is

charming.
tired.

She

is

just restingthere kindly give

to
me

probably
more,

If you
come

will
out

five minutes
"

she will
?"

you."

Five Five

minutes

the

young

girlasked.
be

"

minutes

will

do.

I shall
at

eternallygrate
as

ful." this. words

Longuevillewas
He cared

amused

himself

he than he

said the

less for his sketch infinitely

to

appeared
this

imply

but, somehow,
do

cared he

greatly that
had

graceful stranger should

what

proposed. gracefulstranger dropped

an

The again.
"

eye

on

the

sketch

Is your I have
a

picture so good
great deal
see

as

that ?

"

she asked.

"

of

he answered, laughing. talent," it is finished."

"

You

shall

for

when yourself,

CONFIDENCE.

15

She
"

turned

slowly toward
a

the terrace
deal of

again.
to talent,

You
me

have certainly
to

great

in

duce

do had go

what

you

ask."

And

she

walked
a

to where movement

she
to meant

stood
with
;

before.
as

Longueville made
show her

her,

if to

the atti
to

tude

he

but, pointing with

decision

his

easel,she
"You
went

said

"

have back
to to

only
his up

five minutes."
and

He
made
"

immediately
a

work,
her

she

vague tell

at
me

tempt

take

position.
in
a

You

must

if this will
"

do," she added,

do

moment.

It will

beautifully," Longueville answered,

at

in

happy tone, looking

is

her of

and
you

plying his
to

brush.
much

"It

immensely

good

take

so

trouble."
For
a

moment
"

she made

no

but presently rejoinder,

she said
"

Of

course

if I pose

at all I wish

to pose

well."

"

You

pose

said Longueville. admirably,"

After

this she said

nothing, and
in

for several He

minutes
a

he

painted rapidlyand
and the

silence.

felt

certain

excitement,
pace she
with

movement

of his It
was was

thoughts kept
very
true

that

of his

brush. she

that
to

posed admirably;
Her

fine

creature

paint.

prettiness inspired him, and

he
was

also the

her
mo

audacity,as
ment.

content

to

regard it
"

for

He she

wondered
was
"

about

her

who the

she was, so-called

and
au-

what

perceiving

that

16

CONFIDENCE.

dacity

was

not

vulgar boldness, but

the

play
but

of

an
was

originaland
obvious that

character. probably interesting she

was a

It it

perfect lady,
was

was

equally

obvious

that

she

irregularly clever.
a success
"

Longueville'slittle figure was ing

success,

charm

he
was

thought,as
She
as

he put
his

on

the last touches.

While
came

he

doing this,
came

model's of the her

companion
paus
to the

into view.
a

out

church,

ing

moment
man

sh'e looked
the
corner

from

daughter
;

young
walked

in

of the
the young with
were a

terrace

then
was

she
a

straightover

to

girl

She

delicate little

gentlewoman,
minutes

quick step. light,

up
;

five Longueville's

so,

leaving
in into

his

place,he
The

approached the
elder one,
who looked
was a

two

ladies, sketch

hand. her

had up

passed her haud

at

daughter'sarm,
;

him

with old

clear,
woman.

surprised eyes
Her eyes
were

she very

charming
and
on

pretty,
fine dark

either
was a

side band

of of

them, above

pair of

brows,

hair, rather silvery

"

arranged. coquettishly
Longuesketch
"

It is my

said Jier daughter, as portrait,"

near.

ville drew

This

gentleman
"

has

been

ing
"

me."

Sketching

you,

dearest sudden
"

?
?
"

murmured

her

mother.

"

Was
"

n't it rather sudden

a

Very

very

abrupt

"

exclaimed

the

young
"

girlwith

laugh.

Consideringall that,it Js very good,"said Longue-

CONFIDENCE.

17
the
"

his picture to ville, offering it and

much
"

elder
I can't

lady,who
tell you

to'ok how

began
I thank

to

examine

it.

you," he
well

said to his model.

to

It 's very
"

for you
no

thank

me

now," she

re

plied.
"

You

reallyhad

rightto begin."

The

temptation was
should resist leave."

so

great."
And you should

"We have
"

temptation.

asked
I
was

my

afraid you

would

refuse it ; and

you

stood

there, just in my
"

line of vision." have

You

should

asked very

me

to

get

out

of it."

"

I should been

have

been

sorry.

Besides, it would

have
The

extremely rude." girllooked

it would.
at

young

him But

moment.

"Yes,
is ruder."
"

I think

what

you

have

done

It

is

hard

case

"

said

Longueville.
"

"

What

could

I have
a

done, then, decently?

"It's

beautiful
the

drawing,"
back
not

murmured
to

the

elder

lady, handing

thing
had

Longueville. Her glancedat

go continued. it.

daughter,meanwhile,
"You

even

might

have

waited

till I should

away,"*

this

argumentative young
I

person

Longueville shook
"

his head.
"

never

lose

! opportunities

"You

might

have

sketched

me

from afterwards,

memory."
looked Longueville
at

her, smiling.
2

18

CONFIDENCE.

"Judge
now

how

much

better

my

memory

will

be

"

She serious.
"

also

smiled

little,but

instantly became
shall

For

myself,it 's
like the you

an

episode I played
less

try

to

forget.
"

I don't
"

part

I have
a

in it."
one

May

never
"

play hope

becoming
mother,
And

cried

Longueville.
accept
a

that your

at

will least,

memento

of the

occasion."

he
who

turned had
en

again
been

with

his

sketch
the

to

her

companion,
with
one

to listening

conversation girl's from

"

this

and looking terprising stranger, with

an

to

the other do
me
"

air of earnest of

confusion.
my

Won't
?
"

you

the
think
"

honor it

keeping
thank
a

sketch

he

said.

reallylooks
thank you,

like your you

daughter."
; I

Oh,

hardly dare,"mur

mured
"

the

lady,with
serve as a

deprecatinggesture.
of amends
;

It will

kind

for the

liberty
to

I have
remove
"

taken," Longueville added

the

and

he

began

drawing from
it
worse

its paper
to

block.

It makes

for you

give it
"

to

us," said

the young
"

girl.
dear, I
"

Oh, my

am

sure

it 's

! lovely

exclaimed

her mother.
"

It 's

wonderfully like you."

it
worse

I think

that also makes

"

Longuevillewas
perversitywas
was

at last nettled.

The

young

lady's
but it
to

perhaps not exactlymalignant ;

She
seemed
tormentress.
to
as a

certainlyungracious.

desire

present herself

beautiful

20

CONFIDENCE.

"

I shall

regard

it

as

great
many

honor."

"

Very
She

well, then
looked
at

with

thanks,
man a

will

keep
while her of

it." her
a

the

young

moment,

daughter

walked
little

away. person
"

Longueville thought
;
a

delightful

she

struck

him with

as

sort

transfigured Quakeress
side.
"

mystic
she

practical girl,"

am

sure

you

think

's

strange

she
"

said.
She is

extremely

pretty."
said

"

She
She

is very is but
am

clever,"

the

mother.

"

wonderfully
she
sure

graceful."
!
"

"

Ah,

's

good

cried

the

old

lady.
by
that,"
said
re

"I

she

comes

honestly
his
a

Longueville, expressively, while

turning
grace of his her salutation
own,

companion,

with after

certain

scrupulous

hurried

her

daughter.
at

Longueville
but
once

remained

there
it.

staring
He felt
as

the

view,
had
at

not

especially seeing
and lost
a an

if he

enjoyed
tried
sat to

opportunity.
of of the old

After

while

he who

make
in
at
a

sketch
sort

beggar-woman
a

there
statue

palsied immobility, like

But his

rickety

church-door.
was

attempt
he
sud

to

reproduce denly
"

her down
a

features

not

gratifying,and
was

laid had

his brush.

She

not

pretty enough

she

bad

profile.

II.

Two

months
still under

later

Bernard

Longueville
that made few for he
was

was

at

Venice,

the
not

impression
a man

leav and made

ing Italy. 1
held
to

He

was

who indeed
"

plans
men

them.
but he

He

made
made

them,
them
to
as

more

"

basis

variation. and

He

had

gone had

to

Venice the
a

spend
form of

fortnight,
eight

his

fortnight
weeks.

taken had his

still

of

enchanting
that
he
was

He
out

sort

conviction be

carrying
where
skill His roused his in

plans
was

for

it must he

confessed

that

pleasure

concerned
his
was

had
to

considerable his
but

accommodating
of it Venice
a summons

theory

practice.]
he
was

enjoyment
from This who
was

extreme,
he
was

by

indisposed
an

to

resist. friend
name

consisted

of in

letter

from
a

intimate

was

living

Germany
He

friend

whose

"

Gordon in

Wright.
but it
was

had letter

been bore I

spending
the
date of it

the

winter

Dresden,
As

his
not

Baden-Baden.
entire.
"

long,

may

give

wish

very think how

much
you

that have
it

you

would

come

to

this
that shall

place.
you know

been

here how

before,

so

pretty

is, and

amusing.

22

CONFIDENCE.

probably be
some

here

the rest
and

of whom

the

summer.

There
you will
to

are

people
so

I know
as

I want I

know.
you I can't Do I

Be

good

to

arrive.

Then Italian

thank

properly for reply on

you know
a

your
same

various scale I
am
"

rhapsodies.
n't the

the

I
?

have
I
am

time.

what
most

doing

making
is

love.

find it

absorbing occupation. That

not
ever

literally
been
an

why

I have love

writt~^ since of

to

you

before.

I have

making
immense

the last of

May.

It takes has

amount

time, and
I don't

everything else
mean

got
this

terriblybehindhand. experiment itself trying to push

test

to

say

that but I

has

gone

on

very n't

fast;

am

it forward.
; but

I have this I want

yet had

time

to

its
we

success

in

your
an

help.

You

know
without burns

great physicistsnever
'

make

experiment
who of in

an

assistant

'
"

humble

individual
in the is
cause

his

and fingers whose

want

stains his clothes

in the my and

science, but
direct.
I

interest you
to

problem

only
I
not

be

assistant, and
stains shall

will be

guarantee

that She

your is
an

burns

dangerous.
I

and extremely interestinggirl,

see

reallywant
think talked of
a

you her.

to

her
wants

"

I want
to know

u)

know

what

you have

She
deal

you, There

too, for I
you the

good

about

you.

have
way. your she
;

it, if gratifiedvanity will

help

you I
to

on

Seriously, this
opinion,
will your

is

real

request.
I
want

want
see

impression.
I don't say

how

affect you.

I ask

for your

advice

CONFIDENCE.

23 undertake

that, of
I

course,
a

you

will

not

to ;

give.
you

But

desire
toss

definition, a

characterization
I don't
see

know n't

you

off those

things.
I have

why
you

I should

tell you I

all this
never

"

always
to

told

everything.
about knew

have

pretended
have
You

know

anything
that you

women,

\but I

always supposed certainlyhave

\
that ^o

everything.
of that
sort

always
come

had
as

the tone
soon as

of omniscience.

here
are

possible and
She 's
a

let

me

see

you

not

humbug.
appeal
reader,

very

handsome
so

girl."
much for amused with

Longuevillewas
that

this

he very

soon

started
letter but

Germany.

In the

Gordon

Wright's

will,perhaps, excite

surprise

rather than

hilarity ;

Longuevillethought it highly
What it especially pointed
"

characteristic of his friend.

to
was

Gordon's
was a

want

of of

imagination

deficiency
be
a

which
tween

matter

common

jocular allusion
each oddities
had of
as

the

two

young

men,

whom
a

kept

collection
for the

of

acknowledged
Bernard

playground
of his

other's wit.
want

often
a

spoken
bottomless

comrade's into which

of

imagination as
was

pit,
to

Gordon
"

perpetuallyinviting him
fellow," Bernard
take my

lower
must
ranean

himself.

My
me

dear

said,

"

you

reallyexcuse
excursions.
never

; I cannot

these

subter down know I

should
come

lose up

breath
You and I

there ; I should have

alive.

dropped things down

fantasies and

"

little

jokes
"

meta

phors, little

paradoxes

and

have

24

CONFIDENCE.

never

heard
on

them
the of

touch

bottom
a

!"
man

This
who the

was

an

epigram

part

of but

young
was none

had

lively play
that than Gordon
a

fancy ; Wright

it
a

less true

had

rather firmly-treading, in his

winged,
to

intellect.
to

Every phrase

letter

seemed,

Bernard,

march

in stout-soled express

walkingattach this
a

boots, and
ment to

nothing
process

could of

better

his

the

reasoning things out

should
come

than make
"

proposal
chemical

that

his
"

friend
a
"

and survey any

analysis
his love.
an

geometrical
I shall any

of

the

lady
in

of

That

have

difficulty

forming

opinion,and
"

in expressing difficulty

it when he shall

formed have
So

of

this he

has

as

little idea

as

that
ex

any

in acceptingit difficulty

when

pressed."
train
"

Bernard

reflected,as
"Gordon's his
are no

he

rolled
went

in the
on,

to
no

Munich.

mind," he

has

atmosphere ;
void.
There

intellectual
currents

process and
no

goes
to

on

in the

eddies

affect it,no
season

high

winds

nor

hot
His

suns,

changes of
are

and

temperature.
and his

premises
are

neatly

arranged,
lable." Yet

conclusions

perfectly calcu

for the
his It

man

on

whose

character

he had

so

freely
strong
a

exercised

wit

Bernard

Longueville
the

affection.

is

nothing against
parties to
must

validity of
not
a

friendshipthat
resemblance. but the

the

it have
a

mutual

There

be upon

basis
it

of

agreement,
contain
a

structure

reared

may

CONFIDENCE.

'25

thousand
formed
an

disparities. These
alliance them of of its of

two

young

men

had the the

old, in college days, and

been

bond

between fact

had

strengthened by
the

simple

having survived

sentimental
was a

revolutions
of mutual different other's

earlylife.

Its strongest link

sort
were

^respect. Their
; but

tastes, their pursuits

had be
a

each

of them

high

esteem

for the
were

character.

\It may

said that

that

they
of

easilypleased;
had
were

for it is certain any very

neither
action. born

them

performed
fortune the

conspicuous

They
to
an

highly civilized
and
a

young

Americans,

easy with shrink land

never

tranquil destiny,and

unfamiliar
If I did not

of golden opportunities. glitter

from for

disparagingthe
own

constitution

of their native say

to

their

credit, I should

that

it had

been

very
to

definitely proposed

these
On

young

gentlemen
manhood,
to make

distinguishthemselves.
come

reaching

they had each

violent exertion
had

into

property sufficient

superfluous.Gordon
a

Wright,
tempted

indeed,

inherited

large

estate.
not

;JPieir wants
been
up open

being tolerably modest, they

to

had

strive
"

for the

the

glory

of

building
career

commercial
to
no

fortunes Americans.
at

most

obvious

young
career

They had, indeed, embraced

if summoned
to

all,and

give
found

an

account

of them
to
was

selves would,
very

perhaps, have
^

it hard

tell any
much of his

impressive story.
in

Gordon

Wright
had

interested

physical science, and

ideas

26 what had money

CONFIDENCE.

own

on

is called taken very he

a

the

endowment

of
and

research. he had

His

ideas

practicalshape, freely among

had gone
to

distributed

the

investigating
a

classes,after which
years in

spend

couple
of

of

Germany,
Here with
we

supposing
find him

it to be the
at

land

lab

oratories. relations the

present, cultivating
and

several
various the

learned

bodies

promoting
knowl

study of

tough
expenses
must

brandies of

of human

edge,by paying
The
own

difficult
were

experiments.
often of of his what

experiments, it making,
and

be

added,
have the

he

must

honor

ever

attaches, in the estimation brilliancy

such

of the

world,

to

pursuits.
Bernard dazzled him
an

It

was

not, indeed,

that brilliancy
was

dazzled

Longueville,who, however, by
in
so

not

easily

anything. plain
and

It

was

because
a

he

regarded
Bernard
to

direct
"

fashion, that
an

had

affection

for his friend be

affection

which

it would
cause.

perhaps

difficult
are

to

assign
doubtless

definite caused

Personal
;

sympathies
but the
causes

by something
our

are

remote,
the par

mysterious to
ticular with
state

daily vision, like

weather. it is fine and from
a or

those
content

of

of the that

We

ourselves the

remarking
of

that

it rains, and is

enjoyment
apt
to

our

likes

dislikes the relish

by

no

means

borrow

its

edge

keenness
for fine

of

our

analysis. Longueville
"

had

quality

superiorsavour;

and

he

was

sensible

of this merit
nature

in the

simple, candid, manly, affectionate

of

28

CONFIDENCE.

self.

This

is

manifestly
that he

not

career,

and
attached

it

has

been
of

said
the

at

the

outset

was

not

to

any

recognized
he
was

professions.
a

But

without

going
clever,

into

details,

charming
with that

fellow
"

urbane,
in

free-handed,
appearance

and

fortunate

quality

his

which

is

known

as

distinction.

Ill

HE the
it

had

not

specified, in writing
he should that
came

to at

Gordon

Wright,
;
to

day
must

on

which

arrive he
to

Baden-Baden addicted end

be

confessed

was

not

specifying
the from that

days.
and,
his

He
on

his

journey's
at

in

evening,
which
Gordon
to

presenting
had

himself his

the

hotel learned

friend

dated betaken of

letter, he
after

Wright
the

had
custom

himself

dinner,
to

according
grounds
o'clock,
of of and

Baden-Baden,
It
was

the

the

Conversation-house.
after

eight
stains

Longueville,
down for Gordon but it
to

removing
.

the

travel,
to

sat

dine.
to

His

first

impulse
him he

had
com

been
pany

send his
to

come

and

keep

at

repast;
make

on

second

thought! possible.
way is
one

deter

mined

as

brief took

as

Having
Kursaal.
the

brought
The
tiest

it to

close, he

his

to

the
of

great
nooks

German
in

watering-placa
and of
a summer

pret
in

Europe,

evening
ago,
it
was

the
of the

gaming
the
most

days, five-and-twenty
brilliant
scenes.

years

one

The

lighted
chaste
a

windows

of

great
as

temple
it had

of
been

hazard

(of
to

as

an

architecture

if

devoted the

much and

purer
groves
;

divinity)
the

opened

wide

upon

gardens

little

30

CONFIDENCE.

river Black
cence,

that

issues

from

the
an

bosky
air

mountains
of brook-like

of

the

Forest

flowed, with

inno

past the expensive

a

hotels

and

lodging-houses ;
the terrace
to

the

orchestra,in
a

high pavilionon
discreet
and
on

of

the
con

Kursaal, played
versation
over

accompaniment

the

of the

ladies
expanse

gentlemen who,
a

scattered

the

large
the

thousand

little chairs,
to ;

for preferred
shuffle

time the

the

beauties

of nature of

the

of coin
summer

and

calculation

chance the

while
vague

the
black

faint

stars,

twinkling
down

above
at the

hills and
without

woods, looked

indifferent

groups

venturing

to

drop

their

light upon
the his

them.

noting all this,went Longueville, gaming-rooms ;

friend,being
nations
of the
at

straightinto
to
see

he

was

curious

whether

fond

of

experiments, was
But

trying combi
in any

roulette.

he

was

not

to be found

gilded chambers,

among
so

the crowd
that Bernard

that

pressed

in silence about
came

the tables ;
to

presently

and

began

wander
groups,

about seated

the
and

lamplit terrace,
made strolling,
to to to

where

innumerable

the
very

place a gigantic conversazione. agreeable and

a man

It seemed

him
him

amusing, and
who
was

he remarked

self that, for

supposed
of

not

take

the Epicurean especially

in

view

Gordon life,

Wright,
com

coming

to

Baden, had

made certainly his way,

; and

himself

fortable.
one

Longueville

went

glancing from
at last

cluster of talkers to another

he

saw

CONFIDENCE.

ol He
seen

face

which

brought

him

to

stop.
had

stood

moment

looking at
an

it ; he

knew

he for
to

it before. it
was

He
some

had time
one.

excellent
before Where

memory
was

faces ; but
an

he

able

attach
a

identityto

this
with

had

he

seen

little

elderlylady
a

an

expression of
as

timorous
as a

and vigilance,

band

of hair
to the

white softly

dove's
"

wing
Where

The
in

answer

came question presently corner

but

grasswas

grown

of

an

old Italian

town

The
so

lady
that

the

mother

of his

inconsequent model,
was

this

mysterious personage
Before

probably
time
to

herself not

far off.

Longueville had
his eyes
seated

verifythis induction,
the broad back
of
turn
a

he

found

resting upon
close to the
old

gentleman ing
was

lady,and who,
a

away

from

her, was
the back

talking to
of this

young

girl.
that

It he

nothing
but

but

gentleman
of true

saw,

with nevertheless,

the

instinct

friend the

ship, he recognized in
robust of personality

this

featureless

expanse In
a

Gordon

Wright.
and laid

moment

he

had

stepped

forward

his

hand

upon

Wright's shoulder.
His
a

friend

looked

round, and
and
"

then
of the

sprang hand.
!

up

with

joyous
"

exclamation dear when fellow

did

grasp dear
"

My
"

my

Bernard

What

on

earth

you

arrive ?
and

While

Bernard from his

answered friend's

he explained a little,
at

glanced
young

face good, gratified had been

the

girlwith

whom

Wright

and talking,

32 then him and

a

CONFIDENCE.

at

the

lady

on

the
stare.

other
He

side, who
raised became

was

giving
to

bright little
the the young

his hat

her
as

to

and girl,
a

he

conscious,

regards
was

latter,of

certain
was

disappointment.
him
; but

She she

very
not

pretty ; she
the heroine

looking at

was

of the little incident

of the terrace

at
"

Siena.
It 's

just
went

like
on

Longueville, you
"

know,"
at

Gordon
from
was

Wright
behind
;

he

always
fond
of

comes

you

he 's he

so

awfully

surprises." He
he

laughing;
Bernard
Vivian
to
; you

was

greatly pleased;
ladies.
know "You

introduced
know

the

two

must

Mrs.

must

Miss

Blanche

Evers."
won

Bernard
dered

took

his he Mrs. leave

place in ought
Vivian.
to

the little circle ; he

venture

whether

upon it seemed

special
to

recognitionof
that he should

Then

him the her

the

option of
detected

this step with

as lady,especially

he had

recognitionin

eye. she

But

Mrs.

Vivian herself

ventured with

upon

nothing special ;
"

contented

soft
to

generalities
know
never

with

remarking
would

that she

always

liked

when

people
sur

arrive ;

she that, for herself,

enjoyed

prises.
"

And

yet I imagine you

a

have He when

had

your

share,"said
this
out

Longueville,with
remind her of the
at

smile.

thought
she her
came

might
of the

moment

little church

Siena

and

found

daughter postur

ing

to

an

unknown

painter.

CONFIDENCE.

33

But

Mrs. Vivian,
but
a

turning her benignant

share of of

head

about,

gave
"

superficial reply.
had my

Oh,

I have

everything,good
And she

and
gave

bad.
a

I don't

complain

anything."
hands
with
see

little deprecatinglaugh. Gordon

Wright

shook

Bernard

again ;
that

he

seemed

reallyvery
that

glad

to

him.

Longueville,
to him

remembering
had
been
"

Gordon

had

written
to

he

making

love," began
of

seek
For

in the

his

coun

tenance

for the

ravages
were

passion.
;

moment,

however, they
est

not

apparent
and eye,

the excellent, hon Gordon

fellow
had
a

looked
a

placid
gray

contented.

Wright
hair,and
were

clear

flaxen short,straight,
of

healthy
and

diffusion

color.
but

His

features

thick

rather
to

irregular ;
of its

his countenance
"

"in
a

addition

the from

merit
a

expression

derived
to

certain
its

grace
wearer

powerful yellow moustache,

a

which Gordon

occasionallygave
was

martial

twist.

Wright

not

but tall,
was

he

was

strong,and

in his whole
and

person He

there

something well-planted
dressed
in

sturdy.

almost
he
wore

always
round
was

light-col
an

ored blue
red. ney

garments, and
cravat.

his neck

eternal
very

When he

he

agitated he

grew his

While
and his

questioned Longueville about

and

jour

health, his whereabouts

his
some own

his inten
to

tions,the latter, among

read in

endeavored replies,
account

Wright's
Was

eyes

of

his

present
am

situation.

that

pretty girlat

his side the

big-

34

CONFIDENCE.

nous was

object of
the of her

his adoration, and, in that

of the elder

case,

what
had

function

lady, and

what

become

argumentative daughter ?
a

Perhaps

this
she

was

another,
no

younger

daughter,though,indeed,
to

bore

resemblance

either

of

Loimueville's
O

friends.

Gordon

Wright,

in in

spiteof
no

Bernard's

inter

indulged rogativeglances,
He had
too

opticalconfidences.

much

to

tell.

He

would It

keep
was

his story

till they should that

the

be alone

together.

impossible
solitude ;

they
two
"

should
were

adjourn just yet

under felt
if
a a

to

social

ladies

Gordon's

protection. Mrs. learning her

up and alto the

Vivian
name

Bernard it
was as

satisfaction in

curtain,half pulled

stopped by

hitch, had
Vivian crowd
sat

suddenly
loungers

been

raised
down

gether
"

Mrs.
at

looking up
and

and

terrace
an

the

of

talkers

with

air of tender

expectation. She

was

probably look
not

ing for

her elder

could daughter,and Longueville

help wishing
don and had
had been

also that this young

saw

lady

would whom

arrive.
Gor

Meanwhile, he

that the young himself

was

to girl

devoting

extremely pretty,
if she

appeared eminently approachable. Longueville

some

talk

with

that her, reflecting Gordon

to
was

were

the person it behooved This

concerningwhom
him of
to

had written
an

him,

appear
case

take

interest in her.

view

the

confirmed
away
to

by

Gordon

Wright's presently turning

Vivian,
so

talk

with

Mrs. make

that his friend their

might

be at

to liberty

acquaintance with

companion.

36
met
some

CONFIDENCE.

ever
one

so

many up.

people here
Now you

I know

"

every
up

day
to

turns

have

turned

day."
"Ah,
but you

don't

know

tne," said

Longueville,
!" cried

laughing.
"

Well, I have
young "I Ella

heard
a

great deal

about
stare

you of

the

with girl,

pretty little
know
a

contradic
of

tion.

think

you of

great friend
She 's

mine,

Miss
in

Maclane,
now."
to

Baltimore.

travelling
not

Europe

Longueville'smemory
this

did

in

stantlyrespond
rapturous
even

but he expressed that signal,

the

assent

which

occasion
that
"

demanded,
young

and

risked

the observation
was

the

lady from
too

Baltimore his

very
went

pretty.
on.
"

She have
know

's far often

lovely,"
her

companion
of you. you is

heard

speak
better

think

you

her

sister rather
out

than

know

her.

She

has riot been

can

very Her

long. She
hair
comes

she as just as interesting

to

be.

down

her

feet.

She

's

in travelling
can

Norway.

She

has

been
to

everywhere
off with you

you

think
You 's
one

of, and she 's going

can't go any
; she

finish

Finland.
?

further

than
to

that, can
turn
come

That
come

comfort I want
"

will have

round
to

and

back.

her wish

dreadfullyto
she
?

Baden-Baden."
"

would,"
"

said

Longueville.

Is

she

alone travelling

"Oh,
say

no.

They've
to

got

some

Englishman.
one seems

They
have

he 's devoted

Ella.

Every

to

CONFIDENCE.

37

an

Englishman,
the

now.

We

Ve

got

one

here, Captain Well,

is

Lovelock,

Honourable handsome.

Augustus Lovelock.
Ella
I wish have

they're awfully
to
come

Maclane
you
some

dying
her.
their call tell

to

Baden-Baden. and mother it 's I wish I wonder

to
a

'd write' to

Her heads it ?
"

father
;

got
"

idea
do

in you

they

think

improper
you if would

what

immoral.

write to her and

that

her it is n't.
would says
seem come

they

think

Mrs. Vivian Mrs.

Vivian

place that
take her

's immoral.
a

she
to

would
care

in

moment

she' does n't

's

how
You

many know

she

has.

declare, she
Vivian's
would
account

only too
with

kind.

I 'm

in Mrs.

care.
me

My mother
go

's gone

to Marienbad.

She
on

let
of

Mrs.
"

Vivian

anywhere,
so

the in

influence fluence. have

n

she
I

thinks

much

of
a

Mrs.

Vivian's deal about

have
?

always
I
must

heard
say

great

it,
a

't you

it 's

lovely;
want

it 's had
to

wonderful

effect upon
it has. I have
so

me.

I don't

praise
n't I

myself, but
been have Do

You

ask Mrs.

Vivian
as

if I have I
can

good.
been
you

been

just as good

be.
way.

I have peaceful, immoral

wTant

just sat here this

You 're not

call this if you

to

?
to.

obliged to
father
sure

gamble
seems

don't you

Ella

Maclane's I 'in you

think

get
in.

drawn

in. what been here

have
to

n't been
"

drawn

I know

're

going
out.
"

say

you

're

going

to say

I have

drawn
so

Well,

have, to-night. We

just sit

quietly
a

there 's

nothing

to do

but to talk.

We

make

little

38

CONFIDENCE.

party by ourselves party

? Two of

"

are

you

going
"

to

belong
Vivian

to

our

us

are

missing

Miss

and
with

Captain Lovelock.
her into

Captain
to

Lovelock
the

lias gone
"

the

rooms

explain

gambling

Miss
I
at
arn

Vivian
sure

always
I

wants

everything explained.
it the
ever

understood
Have you

first time
seen

looked
?

the
's

tables. very

Miss
very you I
woman

Vivian

She

much
so

admired, she
uncommon
"

's
see

so

unusual. have
am

Black
it too
one
"

hair 's
but I

got
sure

mean

for

young There

ladies.
's
a

sees

everything
the tables
"

here.
a

that
"

comes

to

Portuguese

countess

who

has

hair

that is it
I
comes

blue. positively
to

I can't

say

I admire

it when

that shade.
in the

Blue

's my

favorite color, but

com Longueville's

preferit

eyes,"continued
him her
own

panion, restingupon specimens

He
which which of and

two

brilliant

little

of the tint.
that
an

listened with
is not
even

expressionof
indication
of
are

clear amusement

always

high esteem,
not

but

who pretty chatterers,

the

reverse

estimable, often
while he

prefer to

masculine

inattention

listened

Bernard, according to his wont,

He said
"

made
were

his reflections.
two

to

himself

that

there

kinds

of

pretty girls
Mrs.

the

acutely conscious
protegee was
to

and
a

the

finelyunconscious.
of the former We the

Vivian's

member

category ; she belonged

our

the

genus

coquette.

all have

conception of
this young

the in

and dispensable,

to indispensable,

lady

CONFIDENCE.

39

was

spectator; almost
To whole her

any

male

biped
being

would

serve

the

purpose. the

spectator she addressed, for the

of

moment,
it in her
a

volume

her

"

addressed
in

glances,her

her attitudes,

exclamations,
and
were

hundred

little experiments of tone

And

gesture and
so

position.
cent

these

rustling artifices

inno
to ;

and well

obvious with

that the directness

observer became
to

of her in

desire
a

be

her

itself

grace

it led natural

Bernard

afterward and
a

say of

to

himself

that

the

vocation
was

metier

little

girlsfor
to

whom

existence tle and its duties Oriental

but

shimmering surface, was plumage

;

prat

ruffle their
was as

their

view

of life and

simple and

as superficial

that be

of

an

bayadere. It surely could

not

with

re

gard to
desired
or

this transparent little flirtthat Gordon advice

;

Wright
"

you

could

see literally
"

the

daylight
side of

rather the Baden She

sat

gaslight
for
a

on

the

other

her.

there
to

minute,

turning her little

eye the

empty
every air of

head time

and
moved

fro, and
;

catching Bernard's
had for

she

she

the

instant
a

having
a

exhausted

all topics. Just

at her

then
near

young
to

lady, with
little group,

gentleman
and

side, drew

the

perceiving her, instantly Longueville,

"

got
"

up

from 's

his chair.
a

There
to

beauty
He

of

the

unconscious
her

class !

he

said had
"

himself.
an

knew
in

face
it.

very

well ; he

spent half
Here
comes

hour Miss

copying
!
"

Vivian

said

Gordon

Wright,

40 also
near

CONFIDENCE.

gettingup,
the mother.

as

if to make

room

for

the

daughter

She

stopped
she
at

in front

of

and them, smiling slightly, upon

then gaze

rested
first
more was

her

eyes and

Longueville.
it
was

Their

full civil

direct, but
This

expressed
imme

nothing

than

curiosity.

diatelyfollowed, however, by the lightof recognition

"

recognitionembarrassed,

and

itself by signalling

blush. Miss
some

Vivian's

companion
a

was

powerful, hand
beard,
who

fellow, with
the observer

remarkable

auburn
as

struck

immediately
He

being
hands

uncom

monly

well
of
a

dressed. little with

a

carried

his

in of

the

pockets
was

jacket, the button-hole

which

adorned

blooming
three have

rose.

He

approached
a

Blanche
and
"

Evers, smiling and

two
or

dandling his body jocularbows.

penny
way

little,

making her
Well,
I

hope
"

you

lost every

you

put

on

the table !

said the young

by girl,

of response

to his obeisances.

He
"

began

to
care

laugh
what

and

repeat them.

I don't

I lose, so pray
me

long

"

so

long

"
"

"

So So

long long

as

what,
you

"

"

as

let

sit down
a

by
chair

you
on

"

And

he

dropped, very

into gallantly,

the other

side of her.
"

I wish

you

would

lose Bernard.

all your

property

"

she

replied,glancing at

CONFIDENCE.

41

"It

would
"

be Would

very you

small

stake," said
to
see me

Captain
reduced

Lovelock.
to

reallylike

misery
While

"

this

gracefuldialoguerapidly established
removed toward this her her eyes from

it

Miss self, face and

Vivian

Longueville's
But

turned checked

mother.

Gordon
hand

Wright
on

movement

by laying his

shoulder Longueville's

and

proceedingto
Mr.

introduce

his friend. "This

is the

accomplished
whom you

creature, heard
you

Bernard

Longueville, of
One down
"

have
as

me

speak. drop

of his from

accomplishments,
the moon."

see,

is to

No,

I don't "I

drop drop

from
"

the

moon,"

said
He

Bernard,
his

laughing.
hand
to

from

Siena!"
for
an

offered

Miss
to

Vivian, who
extend her
any
own.

instant appreciable

hesitated

Then
to

she returned his allusion

his
to

salutation,without
Siena. She

response

declined

to take

seat, and
With

said she this

was

tired

and

preferredto

go

home.

suggestion her
ladies ap
was

mother

immediately complied,and
the

the two

pealed to
obliged to
She
Mrs.

indulgenceof
the this

little Miss

Evers, who

renounce

societyof Captain Lovelock,

on

enjoyed
Vivian
s

luxury, however,
which

the all

way

to

toward lodgings,

they

slowly

in strolled,

the

sociable

Baden

fashion.
next

Longueville
Miss

might naturallyhave

found

himself

Vivian,

42

CONFIDENCE.

but

he

received

an

impression
and

that

she

avoided

him.

She

walked

in

front,

Gordon

Wright
that

strolled

be

side

her,

though
but

Longueyille
few

noticed

they

appeared
offered his

to

exchange
to

words.

He

himself

arm

Mrs.

Vivian,
step,
Baden and

who

paced

along
observations

with

little

lightly-wavering
beauties of

making
the

upon

the

respective

merits

of

the

hotels.

44

CONFIDENCE.

with but
very

serious these

eye,

half

appealing, half questioning;

he

at

last words
man

glanced
a

away.

Even

modest

may

wince
of

little at
a

hearing him
from

self denied
the
common

the

distinction

few

variations this

type.

Longueville made
that had

reflection,
was

and
a

it struck mood

him, also,
than he

his

companion

in

graver

he have
was

expected ; though why,

in very
a

after all,should tion ?

"

been
a

state

of

exhilara

Your

letter

natural,interesting

one," Bernard
"

added.

Well,
"

you

see," said Gordon, facinghis companion

been
a

again,
" "

I have

good

deal
"

preoccupied."

Obviously, my
I want It 's I
a

dear

fellow !
to

very

much

marry."

"

capitalidea,"said Longueville.
almost
as

"

think

well it.

of It

it,"his friend declared,

has struck
me

"

as

if I

had

invented

for the

first time." These which words

were

uttered

with

mild

simplicity
have, after

provoked Longueville to
dear

violent

laughter.

"My
all,your

fellow," he

exclaimed, "you

little oddities."

enough, however, Singularly

to appear
"

Gordon

Wright
me," he
hundred
is
one

failed

flattered

by

this concession.
to

I did n't send

for you

laugh

at

said.

"

Ah,
cry !

but

I have

n't travelled

three

miles
of these

to

Seriously, solemnly, then, it

that has

young

ladies

put marriage

into

your

head

"

CONFIDENCE.

45

"

Not

at all.
a

I had desire

it in my
to

head."
you

"

Having

marry,

proceeded to Wright,
send

fall

in love." "I
some
"

am

not

in

love!"

said

Gordon

with

energy.

Ah, then,
?
"

my

dear

fellow,why

did

you

for

me

Wright looked
"

at

him you

an

instant
were a

in silence.

Because
a

thought

good fellow,as

well

as

clever one."
A

"

good fellow
your
me;

"

repeated Longueville.

"

I don't

understand
But
excuse

confounded
I
am

scientific nomenclature.

won't
a

laugh.
one." hand
on

am

not

clever
a mo

fellow ; but ment, and

I then
"

good
his

He

paused

laid dear

his
no

companion's
use

shoulder.
in love."
"

My

Gordon,

it 's

you

are

Well,

I don't want

to

be," said Wright.

sentiment
eyes
!
"

"

Heavens,
I
want

what
to

horrible
with my

"

marry You

open.

I want you

to

know

my

wife. with
are

don't know
Your
to

when jftple

are/
/

in love
"

them.

impressions are

colored."
you ob

They

supposed

be, slightly.And

ject to

color ? "
as

"Well,
marry,
as

say,

want

to
one

know

the

woman

I
to
see

I should

know

any

else.

I want

her
"

as

clearly."
upon

Depend

it,you

have

too

great

an

appetite

46 for

CONFIDENCE.

knowledge
Ah
"

; you

set

too

high

an

esteem

upon

the

dry lightof
"

science."

said Gordon

promptly ;
of

"

of

course

I want

to

be

fond

of her." in

Bernard,

spite

his

protest, began

to

laugh
theo

again.
"

My

dear
Your I

Gordon,

you

are

better

than

your your

ries.

passionate heart
repeat
it
"

contradicts
are

frigid

intellect.
"

you

in love."

Please

don't repeat it took

shall

again,"said Wright. they walked

?

Bernard
"

his arm,
I for call

and

along.

What

it,then

You

are

engaged

in

making
"

studies

matrimony."
least

don't

in the
are

object to

your

it that. calling

My
"

studies
And
one

of extreme of

interest."
ladies

those

young

is the fair volume

that
"

contains

the

precious lesson,"said Longueville.

text-book
one

Or
"

perhaps your
No I
; there
never

is in two
I
am

volumes
not

"

is could

of them
two
are

studying at
can't be
in

all.
"

do

things at once."
in
once,
as

That

proves
two

j^i
women

love. but
as

One
one

love with have

for you
a

at
"

may

perfectly
"

two

of them

or

many

you

please
as

up

competitive
before,which
selected ?
"

examination. of these young

However,

I asked

ladies is it that you

have

Gordon
"

Wright stopped abruptly, eying his friend.

should you

Which

say ?

"

CONFIDENCE.

47

"

Ah, that
would the
I

's not

fair

question,"Bernard
me

urged.
rather

"It than
one,
ness

be

invidious if I if I

for
were

to

name

one

other, and
feel
as

to

mention

the wrong
a

should

had
Don't but

been you

guilty of
see

rude

towards
Gordon

the other.

"

saw,

perhaps,

he

held

to

his idea

of

making
"

his

companion
mind

commit

himself.
I will do Which taken you
a

Never
some

the rudeness.
make it up.

the

same

by

you you

day, to
me

of them

should
to

think

likelyto

have

fancy
know

?
me

On
?
"

grounds,now, ^general
He
"

from

what
writli
an
"

of

proposed
You

this

problem

animated

eye. I

his forget,"

friend said, that deal of you, have

I

though
know
too

know,
little

thank of

heaven,
of

good

very

either

those

girls. I

had

little evi

dence/'
"

Yes, but
you

you

are

man

who

notices.

That

's why

I wanted
"

to come."

spoke only to
I know

Miss you

Evers." have
never

"Yes,
Vivian."
and

spoken looking at
of

to

Miss

Gordon his

Wright
point
as

stood

Bernard words. The

urging

he

pronounced
his

these
gaze.

Bernard

felt

peculiarly conscious
and illusion,

words himself

represented an quickly
it.

Longueville asked
not

whether
answer

it
came

were

his

duty
than

to

dispel

The

more

slowly shape
and of it
a

the

question,but
The

still it came,
was

in the

negative.
not

illusion

but

trifling one,

was

for

48

CONFIDENCE.

him, after

all, to let his

Miss since Vivian. she
"

friend It
not
was

know

that

he

had

already met
herself,and
had that

for the young

so
"

girl

had

done

although she
to

the
he

opportunity
was

Longueville
honor
soon

said

himself These
midst

bound
were

in

not

to

speak.
in

reflections of them
our

very young

made,
thanks
to

but
a

the

man, to

of great agility
was

mind,

found

time
see

that it observe, tacitly, "honor"

odd,
nose.

just there,to
Miss

his
own

thrustingin
would of

its

Vivian,
to

in her

good time,

doubtless Siena. he
It

mention
was

Gordon

the

little incident
a

Bernard's

fancy, for

moment,
he had

that

already
had
com

knew
an

it,and
ironical

that the remark

just uttered
was

accent; but

this
tone

impression
in

pletelydissipatedby the
"

which

he

added

"

All
"

the same,

you

noticed her."
noticeable."
"

Oh,

3res ; she

is very

"

Well, then," said Gordon,

to

you

will

see.

I should
am

like you

make
attention

it out.
to to
one

Of
to

course,

if I

really
of

giving

my

the

exclusion

the

other, it

will be

easy

discover."

Longueville was
friend's clusion
own

half of

amused, half irritated by his

his little has
on. an

relish the
as

puzzle. '"The

ex

of

other'

awkward
"

sound," he
I to notice

answered,
you
"

they walked
rude
to
one

Am

that

are

very

of the young think there

ladies ? is
a

"

Oh
?
"

dear, no.

Do

you

danger of

that

CONFIDENCE.

49

"

Well,"

said

Longueville,
remonstrated.

"

have

already
"Don't

guessed."
guess

Gordon

Wright
a

yet

wait
"

few

days.
see

won't

tell

you

now."

"

Let

us

if

he

does

n't

tell

me,"
moment.

said

Bernard,
"

privately. presented
Evers and

And

he

meditated

When

myself,

you

were

sitting
earnestly.
very
!
"

very Your

close

to

Miss

talking
her
"

very it

head

was

bent

toward

was

lover-like.

Decidedly,

Miss

Evers

is

the

object
instant

For

single
"I

Gordon

Wright
seemed

hesitated,
rude
to

and

then
"

hope
he

have

n't

Miss

Vivian

"

exclaimed.

Bernard

broke

into

light
in

laugh.
love
!
"

"

My

dear

Gor

don,

you arrived

are

very
at

much

he

remarked,

as

they

their

hotel.

V.

LIFE
and

at

Baden-Baden

proved

very that
of

sociable he
should

affair,
not

Bernard

Longueville
for the

perceived
exercise

lack

opportunity
to

those had

gifts of

intelligence
The
and
two

which
took

Gordon

Wright
walks

appealed.
the
with

friends the
in

long
and

through

woods
hu

over

mountains,
the crowded

they

mingled
of

man

life

precincts
in
a

the

Conversa
on

tion-house.

They
after

engaged

ramble and Baden

the
far

morning
away,
over

Bernard's and dale.

arrival,
The
of

wandered
forests

hill the There

are

superb,
effective.

and

composition
is

the

landscape
dell
in with

is most the
a

always
crag A

bosky

fore ruined

ground,
tower
at

and

purple

embellished little
of

proper
out

angle.
from in
a

timber-and-plaster plum-trees,
recurrence,

village
way-side
concessions
ment.

peeps

tangle

and solicits
refresh

tavern,
to

comfortable
custom

the

national

of

frequent

Gordon

Wright, doing
his

who
ten

was

dogged
and

pedestrian, Longueville,

always
who for
was

enjoyed
an

miles,

incorrigible
of
of

stroller, felt
the

keen But

relish
it
was

the
on

picturesqueness
this

country.
of

not,

occasion,

the

charms

the

landscape

52

CONFIDENCE.

the
some
was

three
time

persons his

who

appeared

to

have

formed

for he

but companion's principal society, press

at

indisposed to
for this

them.
a

He

felt that of

he should

see

himself, and

prospect

entertainment
Gordon
was,

of

kind, his fancy always kindled.

at

moreover,

first rather

shy

of

confidences, though
ten

after
was
"

they
a

had

lain

on

the grass

minutes

there

good
what

deal
do

said. you

Now

think while

of
at

her the

face ?

"

Gordon the

asked, after staring a

sky through

oak-boughs.
"

Of you
to

course,

in
use

future," said
of

Longueville,
"

when

ever

make

the

personal pronoun
Miss Vivian said

feminine,

am
"

understand
name

that

is indicated."
"

Her
I

is

Angela,"
her

Gordon

but

of

course
"

can

scarcelycall

that."
"

It 's a beautiful say, in with

answer

name," Longueville rejoined;

to

but
not

I may

your

question,that

am

struck
"

the fact that

think it her

her face
face

corresponds to
?
"

it."

You

don't

beautiful, then
But how
can

"

I don't

think

angelic.
of

I tell ?

have
"

only
Wait

had

glimpse
looks Gordon. I
saw

her."
and

till she

at

you

speaks

"

wait

till

she smiles," said

"

don't

think

her
she

smile
"

"

at

not least,

at

me,
on.

directly. I hope
But
who
name

will !

Longueville girl with

went

is she
?
"

"

this

beautiful

the

beautiful

CONFIDENCE.

53

"

She

is
"I

her

mother's

daughter," said
a

Gordon
more

Wright.
about
"

don't
that."

really know
?
"

great deal

her

than

And
A

who

is her mother

"

little woman, delightful

a

devoted
is her

to Miss

Vivian.

She have

is

widow,
a

and

Angela
in

only
;

child.

They
but
a

lived

great deal
Over of

Europe

they have
says,

modest
can

income.
a

here, Mrs.
for their

Vivian
money you

they they

get get
are

lot
at at

things
So

that
see.

can't

home.
home of my

they stay,
in New

When

they
know

they live

York.

They
are

some

people there.
about
are

When

they

in
are

Europe they live

fond
of

in different

places. They

Italy. They

extremely nice
are

; it 's impos

sible to be nicer.
of

They

very

fond

of

books,

fond in

music,

and

art, and

all that.
come

They always read

out

the the
"I

morning. day."
see

They only

rather

late in

they

are

very

superior people," said Ber

Evers
"

nard. in the

"And

little Miss
I

what

does does

she in

do

morning?
"

know

what

she

the

evening !
"I

don't n't

know

what

her

regular habits
to

are.

have

paid much

attention

her.

She

is very

pretty."
"

Wunderschon

!"

said her

Bernard.

"

But

you

were

talking to certainly
"

last

evening."
She is

Of

course

I talk to her sometimes.

totally

54

CONFIDENCE.

different vated
"

from

Angela
seems

Vivian very

"

not

nearly so

culti

; but

she

charming." suggested.
as

A She

little

eh silly,

"

Bernard
so

"

is certainly

not

wise

Miss

Vivian."
eh
?

"

That

would
as

be
as

too

much
are

to

ask,

But

the her

Vivians,
under
"

kind

they

wise, have

taken

their

protection."
Gordon,
Her
is
"

Yes,"
or

said
two.

they

are

to

keep
to

her

another

month

mother
a

has dull

gone

Marienbad,
for
a

which

I believe
so

thought
were

place

young
offered friend up month

girl ;
to

that, as
with

they
them.

coming here, they

Mrs. Evers is
an

bring her

old
come

of Mrs.
to

Vivian, who,
to

on

leaving Italy,had
her.
had

Dresden

be

with
Evers

They
been

spent
there

there
winter. Baden

together;Mrs.
I
"

since
to

the

think
would

Mrs.

Vivian

reallycame
less

Baden-

she
to

have

preferred a
Evers.
Her

expensive
wanted

place
"

bring
to

Blanche

mother

her

so

much
was

corne."
sake

"And
came, too

it for her
"

that

Captain

Lovelock

Bernard

asked.
a

Gordon
"

Wright
sure

stared

moment. !
"

I 'm

I don't know
you
"

"Of

course

can't Who

be

interested

in

that," said
!
"

Bernard "He called

brother

smiling.
is
an

is

Captain
I

Lovelock
he the

Englishman.

believe
--

is what's

connected aristocratically
of
a

younger

lord, or

something

of that

sort."

CONFIDENCE.

55

"

Is he I have

clever

man

"

"

n't talked rakish that

with

him
a

much, but

I doubt

it.

He
"

is rather But ?
"

; he

plays

great deal."
a

is

considered
"

here Have

proof

of

rakishlittle

ness

asked
"

Bernard.

n't you

played a

yourself?
Gordon

hesitated
I

moment.
a

"Yes,
some

have

played
I

little.
made

I
some

wanted

to

try

experiments.
of gave

had

arithmetical
to

calculations
Bernard "I
am

which probabilities,
a

I wished

test."

long laugh.
with the
reasons

delighted

you

give
! !
" "

for

amusing yourself!
"

Arithmetical

calculations real
reasons

assure

you

they
the

are

the

said

Gordon, blushing a little.

"

That of

's

just

beauty
in/

of
as

it.

You

were

not

afraid

being

'drawn

little Miss

Evers

says?"
"

am

never

drawn
I

in, whatever
I
am

the
not

thing may

be.

go

in,

or

stay out; but

drawn," said

Gordon
"

Wright.
were

You her

not

drawn from with

into

coming

with

Mrs.
"

Vivian

and
"

daughter
n't
come

Dresden
them

to this
; I
came

place ?
a

I did

week

later."

"My
is

dear

fellow," said
of your
was

Bernard,
candor." I

"that

distinction

unworthy "Well,
I

habitual

not to

fascinated;
come

was

not

overmas

tered.

I wanted

to Baden."

56

CONFIDENCE.

"

have
with

no

doubt

you

did.
in

Had

you
?
"

become

very

intimate
I

your
seen

friends them

Dresden times." them fascinated his

"

had

only
which

three

"After

you

followed

to

this
"

place
Ber

Ah, nard,

don't

say

you

were

not

cried

laughing

and

springing

to

feet.

VI.

THAT

evening,

in

the

gardens
with
to

of

the

Kursaal,

he
Her

renewed
mother

acquaintance
came,
as

Angela
and listen who

Vivian.
to

usual,
Blanche

sit

the
in

music,
turn
at

accompanied
tended

by

Evers,

was

by
in

Captain
the
in

Lovelock.

This seated
one

little

party

found
in of
a

privacy quiet
terrace,
world
corner

crowd;
an

they
of

themselves the
barriers brilliant

angle
movement

of

the

while
went

the
on

of them.

the Gordon

Baden

around

Wright
while

en

gaged
nard

in

conversation
an

with

Mrs. with

Vivian,
her
the

Ber

enjoyed
lady

interview
to

daughter.
fact
to

This
their

young

continued and
to

ignore
hero
what it. He

of

previous
all
would he

meeting,
was

our

said she

himself

that he
"

wished

know
to

preferred

rigidly
programme Siena

conform he

conformed
to

to

her

present
the
not

had

ventured

pronounce
was

word
to

the it

evening again.
wondered

before,
She had what
to

but

he
her

careful
for and

pronounce
reserve

reasons

her it

own

he

they
wonder.

were,

gave

him

certain

pleasure
of

He
secret

en

joyed

the and

consciousness it became
a

their of

having

to

gether,

kind

entertaining

suspense

58

CONFIDENCE.

to

see

how

long
was

she would
in
no

continue
to

to

keep

it.

For
;

himself, he

hurry
had

let the

daylight in

the little incident

at Siena

been, in itself, a charm

present attitude gave
He it
car

ing affair
a

; but

Miss

Vivian's

sort

of

mystic

consecration. well
"

thought
that

she had

ried
seen

it off very him before

now

the

theory
she

she been

not

; last

evening
was as

had

slightly
if the

confused, but
line she had should
it be

she
were

as self-possessed

taken
a

matter

of conscience.
?

Why
she
con

matter

of

conscience
and wish
an

Was

in

love with sequence, that

tion
not

Gordon
to

Wright,
"

did
him

she wish, in
not to

forget
ever

and received

suspect
admira it

"

she
from

had

expression of
was

another

man

This Miss
; for

not

likely;
wished

was

that at least, likely,

a

Vivian

to

pass is to

for

prodigy
a

of innocence
to

if to be admired
was

pay
that of

tribute handsome

it corruption,
a

perfectlyobvious
tasted
of

so

girlmust
for her
was

have

the

tree

knowledge.
that of

As
course

being

in love

with

Gordon
Bernard
on

Wright,
did
not

another
an

and affair,

pretend,as

yet, to have
very in

opinion
she

this be.

point,beyond hoping
He
was

much
the away
a

that

might
of her

not

wrong had

impression
from

good
inter

looks view
with

that he
at Siena.
a

carried
She

the

short

had

charmingly

chiselled

face,

free,pure
and

outline, a clear,fair complexion, and

of
a

the
had

eyes
a

hair

dusky beauty.

Her

features

firmness

which

and yet suggestedtranquillity,

60
"

CONFIDENCE.

How

do she

you

arrange
at

it, then, with your mother

him
a

Again
"

looked

moment,

with

her clever,

mocking slightly
As You you
see.

smile.

By making
a

her

come

where

I wish."
"

have

strong will," said Bernard.

see

that."
"

No.

I have

simply

weak

mother.

But

I make

sacrifices too, sometimes."

"

What

do

you

call sacrifices ? winter

"

"

Well, spending the

at Sorrento."

Bernard
must

began
had
a a

to

laugh,and happy
what

then
"

he
"to

told call
a

her

she

have

very

life

winter

at Sorrento
"

sacrifice."
upon
one

It

depends

gives up,"

said

Miss

Vivian.
"

What

did

you

give up
with very

"

She
"

touched is not

him
a

her civil

mocking

smile

again.
in

That

question,asked

that

way."
"You
mean

that

seem

to

doubt

your

abnega

tion ?
"

"

You

seem

to

insinuate
up
"

that up
"

I had
"
"

nothing
and

to

re

nounce.

I gave

I gave

she
up

looked

about
"

her, consideringa little

am
"

"I

gave it

society."

glad you
If I have
woman

remember

what

was," say"Ber
me

nard.

seemed

uncivil,let
of

make

it up.

When
means

speaks

what giving up society,

she have

is

givingup

admiration.

You

can

never

CONFIDENCE.

61

given up
You
"

that have

"

you found been

"

can

never

have
at

escaped from
found it.

it.

must

it

even

Sorrento."
I
never

It may very

have

there, but
it
never

It

was
"

respectful
is the

expressed itself."

That I

deepest kind," sa*4-Berrrard.

the young varieties,"

"

prefer the shallower

girl
that

answered.

"Well," said Bernard, "you

must

remember

although shallow
admiration
Miss
"

admiration

expresses

all the itself, shallow."

that

expresses hesitated
a

itself is not
moment.

Vivian of

Some

it

is

impertinent,"she
gravely.
as

said, looking

straightat him, rather

Bernard
"

hesitated
it is

about

long.
That
comes

When
same

impertinent it is shallow.

to the

thing." girlfrowned
sure
a

The
"

young
am

little.
"

not

that
see

understand

am

rather
taste

stupid.
such

But

you

how

rightI
to
come

am

in my

for such

placesas
should
to

this.

I have

here to hear

ingeniousremarks."
"You

# that
it." Vivian.
one

add
with
!
"

my

coming,

as

well, has

something
"

do

Everything

said Miss
Does n't my says
no

"Everything?
remarks "Mr.
not ?

else

make
?
"

ingenious
should

Does

friend

Wright

Wright

excellent

things, but

exactly call them

ingenious remarks."

62
"

CONFIDENCE.

It is not 's the

what
!
"

Wright
said

says

it 's what

he

does.

That
His
not

charm

Bernard.
for
a

companion
a

was

silent

moment.

"

That

's

usually

charm;

good conduct

is not

thought
Bernard

pleasing."
"

It

surely

is not

thought

the

reverse

"

exclaimed.
"

It does among

n't rank
the

"

in

the make you

opinion
men

of most

people

"

things that
upon what Miss

agreeable."

"

It

depends

call

agreeable."
"

"

Exactly so," said

that."

Vivian.

It

all

depends

on
"

But

the

agreeable,"Bernard
a

went

"

on

"

it is n't world

after

such all, fortunately,

to

subtle
that

idea !

The
a

certainlyis agreed thing."

Miss

think

virtue is

beautiful

Vivian

dropped her eyes

"

moment,

and

then,

looking up,
"

Is it

charm there

she asked.
no

"For declared.
"

me

is

charm

without

it,"Bernard

am

afraid

that for

me

there

is," said the

young

girlBernard
was

puzzled

"

he who him
a

was

not

often

puz

zled.

His

companion

struck

as

altogethertoo
of
ac

clever to be

likelyto indulge in
And

affectation silly could

one

cynicism.
count

yet, without

this,how

for her

sneeringat

virtue ?

CONFIDENCE.

63

"You vice other

"

talk
"

as

if

you

had
"

sounded
What
?
"

the do

depths
know about

of

he than

said, laughing.
virtuous of

you

charms

know,
virtue

course,

nothing
it
was

about

vice

but

have

known
"

when
it

very affair.

tiresome."
It

Ah,
best

then
virtue Vivian

was

poor

was

poor

virtue.

The

is

never

tiresome."
at

Miss

looked

him

little, with

her

fine

discriminating
"

eye.

What
!
"

dreadful

thing

to

have

to

think

any

virtue

poor This

was

touching
had
not

reflection,
the

and

it

might
been

have inter

gone

further

conversation

rupted
to

by
a

Mrs.

Vivian's

appealing
of
a

to

her

daughter
about
a

aid

defective

recollection
had
met at

story
with

Spanish
she
After

family

they

Biarritz,
Gordon

which

had

undertaken little who

to

entertain

Wright.
a

this, the

circle

.was

joined

by
a

party
week

of
at

American

friends and the

were

spending
became

Baden,

conversation

general.

VII

BUT

on

the

following
in

evening,

Bernard
with

again
this

found

himself

seated

friendly colloquy
Wright
and

interest with her chat

on

ing
mother tered the
"

girl, while
on one

Gordon

discoursed Blanche

side,

little
of

Evers Lovelock

to

the

admiring

eyes

Captain

other. You
and your

mother
"

are

very

kind
a

to

that

little

girl," our
to

hero

said

you

must

be

great

advantage

her/'

Angela
and let

Vivian
rest

directed
a

her
on

eyes

to

her

neighbors,
girl's little
face.
For

them

while her said

the

young

fidgeting figure
some

and she

fresh, coquettish

moments

nothing,
in

and

to

Longueville,
and of

turning

over

several
that

things
her

his
was

mind,
one

watch-,
disfavor.
esteem

ing her,
He
for

it seemed

glance
knew
was

divined,
her
"I

he

scarcely companion
that done I

how,
small.
very in

that

her

pretty
don't
"

know I

am

kind,"

said
for

Miss^
her."

Vivian.
"

have

nothing
you
came

particular
to

Mr. her

Wright
account."
came

tells

me

this

place mainly

on

"I

for

myself,"

said

Miss

Vivian.

"The

CONFIDENCE.

65

consideration
my
"

you

speak

of

perhaps had weight with

to
"

mother." You
are

not

an

easy

person

say is

appreciative tempted
to

things to," Bernard

say

rejoined.
don't

One

them

; but

you

take them."
as

The

young

girlcolored

she

listened

to

this ob

servation.
"

I don't

think
"

you

know,"
to

she

murmured,

looking
added. To what
to

away.
"

Then,

Set it down is what

modesty," she
done.

That, of

course,

I have
an

else could

one

possiblyattribute
?
"

indifference

compliments
"

There

is you

something
are

else.
"

One

might

be

proud."
"

"

There
even

again!

Bernard

exclaimed.

You

won't
"

let

me

praiseyour
should
a

modesty."
rebuke my

I would

rather you
so

pride."
no room

"

That

is

humble

speech that
said

it leaves

for rebuke."
For
"

moment
are

Miss

Vivian

nothing.
declared

Men
a

base," she singularly

"

presently,
least
to

with
say
to

little smile.

They

don't

care

in the

things that might help a

say

person.

They only

care

things that
see
:

may

seem

effective and
to

agreeable."
a

"

you

think

that

say

agreeablethings is
Vivian

great misdemeanor."
"

It
as

comes

from
not

their
heard

vanity," Miss
him.
"

went to

on,

if she had

They

wish

ap
ten-

pear

agreeableand get

credit for cleverness

5

and

66

CONFIDENCE.

drcsse, no
person
to

matter

how

sillyit would

be

for

another

believe
was

them."
a

Bernard

good

deal

amused,

and

little

nettled.
"

Women,

then,"
a
"

he

said,

"

have
"

rather

fondness

for

producing

bad

impression

they

like to appear

? disagreeable

His
moment
"

companion
as

bent

her

eyes

upon it.

her

fan

for

she

opened

and

closed

They
a

are

themselves capable of resigning

to

it

"

for

purpose."
was

Bernard
"

moved purpose

to

extreme

merriment.

For
I

what

"

"

don't Vivian

know
"

that
for
a

mean

for

purpose,"said

Miss

;
an

but

necessity." necessity!"
odious. and shirk
But
women

"Ah,
"

what

odious

Necessities
Men
contest

usually are
them

meet

them.
"I

evade
your

them."
are

proposition. Women
they
a are

them
ones

selves
And evade
"

necessities ; but Bernard

not
"

odious

"

added,
if

in
were

moment,
!
"

One

could

n't

them,

they

object to being called

"

said Angela necessity,"

Vivian.
"

It diminishes it enhances

one's the
!
"

merit." of life !
"

Ah, but
For
men,

charm

"

doubtless

"The
on,

charm up

of life is very
at

great,"Bernard
the

went

looking

the

dusky hills and

summer

68
"

CONFIDENCE.

am

very

fond

of

Blanche," she said.

is rather fond of

"

Captain
on.

Lovelock

her," Bernard

went

The "He

girlassented.
is

completely fascinated
her."

"

he

is very

much

in love with "And do

?
"

they

mean

to

make

an

international

match
"

hope

not
a

; my

mother

and
"

are

greatlytroubled."

"

Is n't he He is
a a

good

fellow ?

"

good

fellow I

; but

he

is

mere

trifler. He

has n't habits.

what
"

penny, He

believe,and
a

he

has

very

expensive
don't know

gambles
send

great deal.

We

to do."

You We

should
have

for the young

to

mother." lady's
answers

"

written
can

her
care

pressingly. She
of herself, and finish her
cure.

that
must

Blanche

take

that She

she has

stay

at
a

Marienbad
new

to

just begun
"Ah take For
care

one."

well," said
of herself."
moment
"

Bernard, "doubtless

Blanche

can

his

companion

said

nothing ;
do ! "

then

she
"

exclaimed It 's what I

am sure

girlought
are

to

be

able

to

"

you

"

said she

Bernard.
was

She

met

his eyes, and but

before

going
time

to to

make

some

rejoinder;
mother's

she

had

speak,

her

voice little, clear, conciliatory

interposed.

CONFIDENCE.

69

Mrs.
done
"

Vivian
the Dear who
we

appealed
before. what that

to

her

daughter, as
of

she

had

night

Angela,
delivered heard in

was

the

name

the
of the

gentle
lectures

man

course delightful on

that
'

Geneva,
Features
a

"

what the

was

title ?
"

"

The

Redeeming

of

Pagan Morality.'

Angela flushed
"

little.
name,

have

quite forgotten his

mamma,"

she

said,without
"

looking round.
sit

Come
over.

and

by

me,

my

dear, and
to

we

will

talk

them Mrs.
"

I wish
went
on.

Mr.

Wright

hear

about

them,"

Vivian Do
you

wish

to

convert

him

to

paganism

"

Ber

nard
"

asked. The lectures

were

very

dull ;

they had
up,

no

redeem

ing features,"said Angela, getting

away nard from

but

turning
at

her

mother.
saw
"

She she

stood
was

looking annoyed
and

Ber her

Longueville ; he
interference.
a

at

mother's

Every

now

then," she
The
you

said,

"

I take

turn

through the gaming-rooms.

went

last time,
come

Captain Lovelock
"

with

me.

Will

to-night?
Bernard

assented
with with
we

with
not

expressive alacrity ; he
to

was

charmed
versation
"

her him.

wishing
"

break

off her

con

Ah,

'11 all go ! she

said

Mrs. the

Vivian, who
others
to
accom

had

been
pany

and listening,

invited

her to the Kursaal

70

COXFIDENCE.

They
Bernard

left their

but places,

Angela

went

with first,
idea
of her

Longueville by
braved

her side ; and her

the
as

having publicly
the sake
ecstatic
to

mother,

it were,
an

for

of his energy

lent society,
to

for the

moment

almost

his tread. his

If he had

been

tempted
he would

presume found

upon
a

triumph, however,
in the fact that the the
sweets
a

have herself She

took

check
very and from

young of

girl

tasted silent

soberly of
grave the
; she

defiance. which

was

had

manner

the

edge
Yet,

wantonness

of
was

filial

indepen
with

dence. his

for

all this, Bernard

as

pleased
her

position ; and,
crowded
from

he

walked where

with

through

the

lightedand
themselves

rooms,

they
he

soon

detached
pe

their

companions,
best expresses
at

felt that

culiar satisfaction which

itself in silence.
of attentive still,

Angela
which
to at

looked

while the
of

the

rows

faces, fixed
little

upon

luminous
louis d'or

green
were

circle, across

heaps
she

being pushed nothing.

away
!
"

and

fro,and

continued

to say
"

Then

last she exclaimed

away there and
was no

simply, passed

Come another It

They
in

turned

into

chamber,
an

which

gambling.
There
a

was

immense

apartment, apparently a ball-room

was

; but
were

at

present it
velvet

quite unoccupied
all around

green

benches

it, and
in

great polished floor

stretched adorned
stood
a

away, with
moment

shining

the

light of
then

chandeliers

innumerable
on

glass drops.
threshold
;

Miss
she

Vivian

the

passed

CONFIDENCE.

71

in, and

they

stopped
and

in with

the

middle

of

the

place, fac
as

ing each they

was no

other,
been in

their
on a

figures reflected
sheet
were

if

had
one

standing
the you
room

of

ice.

There alone.
mur

they

entirely
?
"

"

Why

don't

recognize

me

Bernard

mured
"

quickly. Eecognize Why

?
"

you you

"

"

do

seem

to

forget

our

meeting

at

Siena

She

might
;

have but she

answered

if

she and

had while end A

answered
she of

im

mediately something
which

hesitated,
at

did
room

so

happened
her
to

the

other

the

caused

shift in
one

her

glance.
of the

green ways
" "

velvet
not
was

portiere suspended
that

doorhad

through

which

our

friends stood

passed holding
were

lifted, and
and him.
"

Gordon
at

Wright
them.
His

there,

it

up,

looking

companions

behind

Ah,

here

they^

are

"

cried

Gordon,

in

his

loud,

clear
This

voice.

appeared

to

strike
saw

Angela
it

Vivian
much

as

an

inter
same

ruption, and

Bernard

very

in

the

light.

VIII.

HE

forbore tell him and

to

ask
at

her

his

question
But him
"

again
the

"

she

might

her

convenience.

days
her

passed
own

by,

she Bernard

never

told

she

had

reasons.

-/talked
indeed the which and and

with

Tier

very

often;
of

conversation

formed little the

chief
he

entertainment
was a

the

quiet
sat
on

circle
terrace

of

.member.

They

talked

in

the in
of

mingled
the

starlight
green Baden

and

lamplight,
and

they
the

strolled
side of

deep gentle
ten

forests

wound
the

along
influence Forest is

the

hills, under
The

colloquial
of

dencies. unbroken the

of

Black and
was

country

almost

shade,

in

the

still
with

days
a

of

midsummer
canopy
or

whole verdure.

place
Our

covered
friends and

motionless

were

not

extravagant
at

audacious
very much

people,
from

they
outside
"

looked

Baden aloof

life from

the

they

sat

the

brightly

lighted
as

drama

of

professional
a

revelry.
drama

Among
went

themselves forward
a

well,
each

however,
member

little the

in
to

which

of

company had been Miss with

had

part
at

play.
at

Bernard
what he

Longueville
would
at

surprised
Vivian's

first

have

called

approachableness

"

the

frequency

CONFIDENCE.

73

which her that

he

encountered

opportunitiesfor sittingnear
conversation. would deem He had

and

enteringinto Wright
an

expected
to

Gordon

himself upon the

have young

established

anticipatory claim

lady'sattention, and that, in

he would
don
was,

pursuance

of this side.

claim,
Gor

occupy after seek

recognized place at her

it
was

all,wooing her;
her

very
was

natural
never

he
very the

should far

society.

In

fact, he
or

off;

but

Bernard, for three

consciousness
of

four

days, had
nearer.

anomalous

being still
he that

Presently,however, he perceived that simply privilege

become
a

owed
he

this

to

his friend's
with
a

desire
"

should receive
was

acquainted

Miss

Vivian

should

vivid

impression of

person After

in whom this result

Gordon

so

deeply interested. supposed

to

might

have

been

be

attained,Gordon

Wright stepped
her

back

into his usual

were

place and showed

the

those the
"

small

civilities which conditions

with
a

only homage

that

quiet
read,

of

their
with
a

life rendered

possible
a

walked
to

her, talked
to

her, brought her

book

chair

sit upon, her gown,

no

couple of
treated

flowers
a

to

place in the
a

bosom
sober

of but

her, in

word, with

by

means

inexpressivegallantry. He
certainly not
that if he
were

had

not

been

making violent love, as he told Longuedemonstrations said

to
were

ville,and
violent.
not

these

Bernard

himself

in the secret, a

spectator would
cherished
an

scarcelymake
even

the

discovery that Gordon

very

safely

74
tended

CONFIDENCE.

flame.

Angela Vivian,
There she
was

on

her

side, was
in her

not

strikingly responsive.
portment
to

nothing
in love

de her and

indicate suitor. smiled

that She
was

was

with

systematic
civil. with talked thal he he

perfectly gracious
when and he shook

She

in

his
at

face him

hands

her ; she
; she

looked

listened her
to

when

he

let him she

stroll beside
or

in the

Lichtenbooks flowers embar it

was

Alley ;

read,
she

appeared

read, the
the
nor

lent

her, and
She

decorated

herself with
bored

offered.

seemed
nor

neither

rassed,neither
Bernard's

irritated she

oppressed.
took
no more

But

belief that
than
a

pleasure

in in

his attentions any

pretty girlmust
charms.
" "

always

take

of recognition said
to

her

If she 's not

indiffer

ent," he
tial
"

himself,

she

is,at any

rate,

impar

profoundly impartial."
was

It

not

till the

end

of

week

that

Gordon
with and

Wright
Miss

told him and

exactly how
what
he which had

his

business
to

stood

Vivian
"

reason

expect

hope
of

week

during

their relations had cast, and

been
dur and and

the

happiest and
the

most

comfortable

ing

which

in their long walks Bernard, rejoicing

talks, in

charming weather,
of
not

in

the in

beauty
other

entertainment

the ceased

place, and
to

things
on

besides, had

congratulate himself
first
a

coming
asked for

to

Baden.
no

Bernard, after the

day, had
himself,

his friend

questions.
either

He
to

had others

great respect
or

opportunity,coming

to

76
"

CONFIDENCE.

Bravo
.

That

's the way

man

should

talk,"cried

Longueville.
Gordon
then
"

indulged
said that
"

in

another

fit of

meditation, and

he Now

leaves

you

at

libertyto

say

what

you

please."
"

Ah.

my

dear

fellow,

you

are

ridiculous

"

said

Bernard.
"

That

's

preciselywhat
me

I want

you

to

say.

You

always
"

think

too

reasonable." first assertion. I I don't don't know you

"

Well,

I go back
"

to my
mean

I don't know her wish

'

Miss

Vivian

to

have
me

opinions about string

you off
"

her.
a

suppose

to

dozen

mere

banalites

She
"

's

charming girl

evidentlya superiorperson
" "
-,

has

great deal of style.'

"

Oh

no," said Gordon

"

I know

all that.
"

But,

at

any
"

rate," he added,
I do

you

like her, eh ?
"

more,"

said

Longueville.
?
"

I admire

her."

"

Is that

doing more

asked

Gordon, reflectively.
it

"

Well, the greater, whichever

is, includes

the

less."
"

You

won't

commit

said Gordon. yourself,"

"

"

My
such

dear
an

Bernard."

he added, deal about

thought
!
so
"

you

knew

immense Gordon

women

Wright

was

of

kindly
make

and

candid

nature

that it is have

hardly conceivable
framed
to

that

this remark commit

should

been

Bernard

CONFIDENCE.

77
mettle. Such
a a

himself would

by putting him imply

well his indeed
uses on

on

his

view

Gordon's

part
he

greater famil
had
ever

with iarity

the
as

of

irony

than

pos

sessed, as
nature

livelier conviction

of

the irritable
it

of
be

friend's
to

vanity.
the reader

In

fact,however,
that

may

confided in
a

Bernard
resentment

was

pricked

tender

place,though the
answer.

of

vanity was
"

not

visible in his

You

were

quite wrong." he simply said.

women as a

"

am

as

ignorant of
"

monk

in his cloister."

You

try to
!
"

prove And
must

too
as

much.

You

don't think last

a

her

sympathetic
Gordon ironical
Bernard
"

regards
be credited

this

remark,
certain

Wright impulse.

with

stopped impatiently.
you

I ask

again,what
"

does

it matter

to

you

what

I think
"

of her ?

It matters

in

this

sense

"

that

she

has

refused

me."
"

Eefused

you

Then

it is all over,

and

nothing
positive
"

matters."
"

No,

it is n't over," said

"

Gordon,
it is n't hand

with
over

head-shake. Bernard shoulder

"

Don't

you

see

smiled, laid
and

his

on

his

friend's

patted it

little. almost
pass for that of

Your

attitude

might
"

resig

nation."
"

I 'm

not

resigned !

said Gordon

Wright.

78
"

CONFIDENCE.

Of

course

not.

But

when with

were

you

refused fixed
on

"

Gordon

stood

minute

his eyes

the

ground. Then,
"

at last

lookingup,
a

Three

weeks walk
it."

ago

"

fortnightbefore
"

you

came.

But

let

us

he said, along,"

and

I will

tell you

all about
"

proposed to
walked
it. I

her three

weeks

ago,"said Gordon,
was

as

they
upon

along. "My
was

heart
hit
"

very
I
me was

much

set

very been I

hard

deeply
she Then have
much
;

smitten.

She

had
"

very

kind

to

"

had
I

been

charming
her
it.
course

thought
was

she

liked

me.

thought
liked for of like
to
me me

mother

pleased, and
in

would
as

Mrs.
I
or

Vivian,

fact, told
first.
"

me

spoke

to

her

Well, Angela does

I
see no reason

"

at

least she

did

and

suppose

she has
She

changed. Only
the friendliest

she
and

didn't

like

enough.
me,

said

pleasantest
me

things to
and little,

but
I

she knew
"

thought that
her
I
even

she less.

knew She

too
a

that

made

great point of
trust
was

that

that that

had
if she her

no

right,as
would
trust

yet,
me,

to

her.

I told

her

perfectlywillingto
this
was

trust

but

she

answered
I
was

that

poor

reasoning.
was

She

said
"

that in

trustworthy and
sorts

that she She

no

not, and

short, all
"

of

nonsense.

abused

herself

roundly

accused
"

herself of

end

of defects."
?
"

What

defects,for instance
I

"

Oh,

have

n't remembered

them.

She

said

she

CONFIDENCE.

79 dreadful

had

bad temper

"

that she led her mother Vivian says

"

life.
"

Now,

poor

Mrs.

she is
Mrs.

an

angel."
says

Ah

yes," Bernard freely."

declared
"

observed

Vivian

that, very

"Angela
ous,

that
all

she

was

jealous,ungener
I

unforgiving
'

sorts

of

things.
I think

remember remarked

she said that she

"

am

very

and false,'

she

was

cruel."

But Not She

this did n't

at

put
was

you

said off,"

Bernard.

"

all.

She up

making up."
well !
"

"

makes

very

Bernard

exclaimed,

laughing.
"

Do I It
to

you
mean

call that
it
not
was

well ?

"

"

very

clever." the

"

was

clever from

point of

view

of wish

ing

discourageme."
But I
am

"Possibly.
if I had been of

sure," said
interview
"

Bernard, "that
"

present
the

at your

excuse

the
been
a

impudence
struck
moment.
"

hypothesis
young

I
"

should and
he

have

with

the

lady's"

paused

With With

her what
her

"

"

ability."
not

"Well, her abilitywas

to

sufficient
me

to

induce
after I

me

give

up

my

idea.

She

told

that

had

known
"

her six months

no

I should

detest her."
make you do it if she

I have

doubt That

she could
I
mean

should

try.

's what

by her ability."

80
"

CONFIDENCE.

She had
"

said Gordon, calls herself cruel," the

"

but

she has
rea

not

crueltyto try.
has
been the

She

has I
a

been

very with

sonable

she

perfect. subject for

be

agreed
We
and

her that

that I would

drop
we

while, and

meanwhile take
time

should
know

good
other

friends. better

should
act
was

to

each

in
no

accordance

with
we

further
trusted

knowledge.
each
no

There wrong I

hurry,
trust

since

other wish

"

as

my go her ;
to

might
I
was

be.

She
not

had the

that

should

away. she

in

least
I

to disagreeable
was

liked

me

extremely,and Only
it up

free perfectly

try and pleaseher.

and
as

I should

drop

my

proposal,

be free to take I should

again or
felt

leave it alone,later,

choose. the

If she of

then, differently
if I

should

have

benefit
also

it,and
the

myself

felt

I differently,

should
very

have

benefit

of it."

"That's
that 's your Gordon
"

comfortable situation
moment.
not

arrangement.
?
"

And

present
hesitated
a

asked

Bernard.

More
Miss Not

or

but less,

exactly."
"

"

Vivian that

feels

? differently

said Bernard.

"

I know

of." with
a

Gordon's the shoulder

"

companion, again.

laugh,clappedhim
match capital
?
"

on

Admirable
Are To you your of

youth, you alludingto

money and of the my
to

are

"

"

money your
"

i
as

modesty.
which is

There

is
a

much

one

as

other

saying

great deal."

CONFIDENCE.

81
in

"

Well,"

said
I
am

Gordon,
not

"

spite of
"

that

enviable

combination,
"

happy."

thought
"

you

seemed

pensive!
feel

Bernard

ex

claimed, Gordon
"

It 's you,
a

then, who

differently."

gave

sigh.
much."
?
"

To What

say

that is to say too

"

shall

we

say, then

his

companion asked,

kindly.
Gordon
a

stoppedagain;
cloudy

he stood
star

there which

lookingup
twinkled
"

at

certain

lustrous particularly
"

the
the

night was
vague

in

an

open
on

patch of sky,and
his honest and

brightnessshone

down

serious
"

visage.
her," he said.
with you any

I don't understand

"

Oh,
"

I '11say I can't
must
"

that

day

"

cried

Ber

nard.
"

help you
"

there." and
me

You

help me
You
to
must

Gordon
in

Wright
in

deserted

his star. "Please

keep
on,

good

humor." the least

walk

then.

I don't with

pity you
"

she is very

charming

you."
the way
I do."

True
me

on enough ; but insisting

that is not I feel

as

to

keep
"

in

good

humor
"

"

when

How

is it you

feel ?
"

"

Puzzled
was

to death

bewildered

"

! depressed

"

This

but
on

the
to

beginning of
say that
as

Gordon he
"

Wright's thought
as

list ; he went

though
had
in

highly

"

of Miss
ease

Vivian

he than
6

ever

done, he felt
first weeks of

less at his

with

her

the

82 their

CONFIDENCE.

and acquaintance, and know

this condition

made

him

un

comfortable
"

unhappy.
what what 's the matter," said poor

I don't

Gordon.
It is n't it. you I n't she I

"

I don't know fault

to
"

has make
a

come

between

us.

her

don't

her

responsible for
"

began
came

notice

it about that
to
no

fortnightago
I had Her
to

before her

shortlyafter

talk you.
reason

with
manner

that has

have

just described
and
any
on

changed
likes
me

have the
me
"

suppose

that
a

less ; but she

she
me

makes

strange
It 's you

impression
only
her

makes

uneasy.
"

nature

coming out,
of
a

I suppose 's

what

might
"

call her
a

originality. She mysterious

sort

thoroughly original
I
; but

she 's what

kind

creature.

suppose that
to

that

I feel is

of

fascination -I don't it,

is

just what
fascinated
This

I don't like.
"

Hang

want !
"

be

object to being fascinated

taken
young
some

little story had

that

time had

in
now

the

tell

ing, so

the

two

men

reached

their hotel
"

Ah,

my

dear

Gordon," said Bernard,

If you say
a man

"

we

speak
be

different

language.
is
!
'

don't
to

want

to

fasci

nated, what
fascinated va!"
"

one

to

you easy

?
to

'Object to being
! satisfy

There

's

Baffine,

Well,

see

here the

now," said Gordon, stoppingin the

"

door- way do you

of

inn

;
"

when

it

comes

to

the

point,

like it

yourself?

IX.

BERNARD

talked
as

of his

this

matter

rather
he
was

theoretically,
in
a

inasmuch neither of
very of

to

own

sense,

state

incipient

nor

of

absorbed
with

fascination.

He

got
felt his

on

easily, however,
the The

Angela

Vivian,
to

and

none

mysterious
element

discomfort
of

alluded attached
gave him

by

friend.
to

mystery
who

itself the

rather

the

young for

lady's mother,
undiscoverable

impression
his he lous
men

that He

reasons

she

avoided
for

society.
found

regretted

her

evasive
in him had

deportment,

something
woman,

agreeable
who struck he of this

this
as

shy
a

and

scrupu

little
of
a

curious

speci
fond.

society
that
not

of

which
was

once

been

very

He but
that

learned he had
Mrs.

she

old

New

England
to

stock,

needed
was

information

perceive
genius
of he fa But
was a

Vivian

animated the
Boston which train

by

the

Boston.

"She
a

has

temperament,"
he of
had become

said, using
miliar

phrase

with

and he

which

evoked added

associations. Vivian strain

then

immediately
of the had
Boston

that the

if Mrs. Puritan

daughter
disposition
"

Puritans,
been

in

her

mingled
temperament

with

another

element.

It

is

the

sophisticated,"

he

CONFIDENCE.

85

said ;

"

perverted
the local

little

"

perhaps
with seemed
an

even

corrupted.
from that
a

It

is

east-wind
It

infusion him
"

climates

less
was a

tonic."

to

Mrs.

Vivian relaxed tributed like

Puritan this

grown

worldly

Bostonian
con

and

impression, oddly enough,

to

to his wish
to

know

more

of

her.

He
"

felt
Dear

going up
and
most

her

very

politelyand

saying,

lady
have
me,

honored
to

what compatriot,
?

in the world approve of I

I done and he I
so

displeaseyou

You

don't
reason

am

dying
happy

to

know

the

why.

should you.

to exert
; you

myself

to be

agreeable to
shoulder.
way you
; it is

It 's
I

no

use

give me
look

the the

cold

When

speak
I

to

you,
to

you your
at

other

only when
me.

speak

daughter that
times you

look
at

at
me

It is true

that
if I

those
not

look

very
not

hard, and

am

greatlymistaken,
You
count
"

you

are

gratified by
address
to

what

you

see.

the

words
our

your

beautiful

Angela
You

you

time

harmless deed

little interviews.
you
can; cut
across

interruptthem
call her away
"

in you

whenever

you

appeal to
are

her ; you

the conversation.
us

You can't
most

always laying plots to keep

leave
me

apart.
I
am

Why
the

you

alone
men.

? Your my

assure

you

innocent

of

beautiful

Angela can't possi

I

bly
earth

be

injured by

conversation, and
her peace you
?

have What

no

designs whatever
have
I done

upon
to

of mind.
"

on

offend

These

observations

Bernard

Longueville was

dis-

86

CONFIDENCE.

posed

to

make, and
rose

one

afternoon,the

opportunity
very
near

they offering,

to

his

lips and
at

came

passingthem.
his
of the orchestra
noon,

In

fact, however,
another the
turn.

the last moment,

was

eloquence took
at

It
to

the

custom

Kursaal
was

play in

the after many

and

as

the

music

often

good, a great

people assembled
listen to it. This
of re-union for

under
was

the

trees, at three o'clock,to

a an regularthing,

not,

as

hour
are

the

little group
; Miss
some

in in

which

we

interested especially less the

an

Vivian,
sort

un particular,

excursion

of

had
to

been

agreed upon
seen

day before, was

usually not
three of

be

in

the

of precincts

the Conversation-house

until the

evening.

Bernard, one
steps

afternoon,at

directed his o'clock,

to this small

world-centre
soon

Baden, and, passing

little Blanche
accom

along
Evers

the

terrace,

encountered
a

there strolling

under

pink parasoland
This
was

panied by Captain Lovelock. always extremely sociable;it

with say

young

lady

was

quite in
she

accordance

her habitual
how d' ye

that geniality
our

should

stop and

do to

hero.
very

"Mr.

Longueville is growing coming

is of
to

she frivolous,"
of hours."

said,

"

the Kursaal
frivolous

at

all sorts

"There the
"

nothing

in

coming
man

here

with

hope

findingyou,"
serious." be
more

the

young

answered.

That
"

is very

It would

serious to lose Miss

Evers

than

to find

her,"remarked

Captain Lovelock, with gallant

jocosity.

CONFIDENCE.

87
!"

"

I wish

you

would

lose

me

cried the young

I

girl.
all

"

I think
of
'

I should

like to

he

lost.

might

have

kinds
"

adventures."
'

guess

so

"

said find
went

Captain Lovelock, hilariously.

my
on.

"

Oh, I should
!
"

way.

can

take

care

of

myself
"

Blanche
Vivian

Mrs.

does

n't think

so," said Bernard, who

under
was a

had
a

just perceived this lady, seated

over

tree

with

hook,

the

top

of

which looked

she

observing her
her and
gave
to

pretty protegee.
her
a

Blanche and
a

toward

little nod
men
"

smile.

Then

on chattering

the young
"

She

's

awfully
she

careful. she
be

I is

never

saw

any

one

so

careful.
my mother

But

I suppose

right. She

promised

would what

tremendously particular;
I would

but
"

I don't

know

she thinks said

rne

do."

That

is n't

to me," flattering

Captain Lovelock.
"

"

Mrs.

Vivian

does n't approve What

now

of

she wishes

me

in Jamaica.
"

does
?
"

she think asked.

me
"

capable of
She
so

"

And

me,

Bernard
my

likes

me

least of all, and

"

I, on

side, think
sweet
on

she 's

nice."

Can't
"

say I 'm
strikes Evers

very
me
a

her," said the Cap

tain.

She

as

feline." of horror. have

so

Blanche

gave

little cry
I

"Stop, sir, this

that
"

instant!
who
to
never

won't

you
to

talk me."

way

about is n't
so

lady
kind

has been She

kind

She up

you.
see

would

like to lock

you

where

can

you."

88

CONFIDENCE.

"I 'm

sure

I should
a

n't mind and

that!"
a

cried the young of

girl,with
"

little has

laugh

toss

her
"

head. that 's

And

Mrs.
my

Vivian
mother

the most
wanted my
me

perfectcharacter
to
come

why

with

her.
be

if she is n't

promised
she

mother

she

would
?

careful,
a

right

to

keep her promise

than
mamma ever

She
was,

's and

great
that 's take

deal

more

careful
mamma

just

what

wanted. And

She then she

would
was

never

the trouble

herself. Mrs.

always scold
me.

ing

me.

Vivian
but I

never

scolds that."
you
a

She

only
and

watches
"

me,

don't

mind

wish
a

she

would

watch

little less

scold you
"

little more," said

no

Captain Lovelock.
a

I have

doubt

you

wish

great

many

horrid

things," his

companion

rejoined, with

delightful
wish!"

asperity.
"Ah, unfortunately I
never

have

anything I

sighed Lovelock.
"Your

wishes
"

must to
me

be
you
a

comprehensive," said Ber

have
a

nard. The
"

It

seems

good deal."

Englishman

gave

shrug.
think. She is
a

It 's less than

more

you

might

watching
moment,
is the

us

furiouslythan
at

ever," he added, in
"

looking only
don
"

Mrs.

Vivian.

Mr.

Gordon

Wright
of Mr.

man

she likes.

She

is

awfully fond
her wisdom

Gor

Wright."
Ah, Mrs. Vivian
shows
!
"

said

Ber

nard.

CONFIDENCE.

89

"He

is

certainly

very

handsome,"

murmured
a
"

Blanche

Evers, glancing several

times, with

very

at Captain Lovelock. pretty aggressiveness,

I must world
on,

say

I like
you

Mr.

Gordon here
to

Wright.
without him "You I

Why
?
"

in

the

did

come

she went
are so

ad

dressing herself inseparable.

before."
"

Bernard.
think

two
ever saw

awfully
alone

don't

you

Oh, I have

often

seen

Mr.
"

Gordon

Wright alone,"
with

said

Captain
That

Lovelock
's what

"that

is, alone

Miss can't

Vivian.

the

old

lady

likes ; she

have
The

too

much

of that."

young

poised for girl,

at

an

instant
from
!

in

one

of her

looked pretty attitudes,

"

him

head
Do you

to foot.
mean

Well,
wants

I call that
to make
a

scandalous match young

?
"

that

she
"

mean

that

the

man

has

six thousand

year."
"It 's
no

matter

what
we

he

has

"

six thousand

year in

is n't much
our

And
We

don't do n't those have

not see,

things in
horrid

that way

country.

have

match-making
country.
mothers."
said

arrangements that you

American
"

in your

dreadful

mothers
one

are

like
of

English
course,"

Oh, any
"

can

Captain
of love

Lovelock,
for Miss
"

that

Mr.

Gordon

Wright

is

dying

Vivian."
see

I can't

it !

"

cried Blanche.

"

He

dies

easier than

I, eh ?

"

90
"

CONFIDENCE.

I wish

you

would

die ! "

said Blanche.

"

At

any

rate,
"

Angela

is not

dying

of love for Mr. him all the

Wright."

Well, she will marry

same," Lovelock

declared. Blanche
"

Evers

glanced at
you

Bernard.
that ? "

Why

don't

contradict
up
to not

she
"

asked.

"

Why
"

don't you
am

speak

for your

friend ?
my

quite ready
"

speak

for
to

friend," said
for

Bernard,
Vivian."
"

but

am

ready

speak

Miss

Well,

I am," Blanche

declared.

"

She

won't

marry

him."
"

If

she

does
"

n't, I
do

11 you
a

eat

my

hat ! "

said

Captain
"

Lovelock.

What

mean,"

he went

on,

by

saying that
care

in America

mother pretty girl's

"

does n't

for

young

fellow's property ? don't

say
never
"

"Well,

they
you
"

we

consider

that
"

dreadful. Blanche

Why

don't

so,

Mr.

? Longueville

demanded.

saw

any any

one

take

things
"

so

quietly.
"

Have

n't you

got

patriotism? by
an
"

My

patriotismis

modified

to indisposition

said Bernard, laughing. generalize,"

On

this

point
in the

permit me
thinks

not
"

to

generalize.I
in

am

interested
Mrs.

case particular

whether ascertaining

Vivian

very Evers

often of Gordon
gave
so a

Wright's
of

income."

Miss
"

little toss

disgust.
had better

If you

are

awfully impartial, you

go and

ask her."

IT Mrs.
that

had Vivian

seemed
but

to

him
are

good
a

idea
many As

to

interrogate good
ideas

there into and

great

are

never

put
smile

execution.

he

approached
with the in air

her
of

with

salutation,
a

and,

asking

leave

to

take

liberty,
he felt

seated

himself

the
of

empty
her
own

chair

beside

her,

humorous

relish
the investi

probable impulse.
to

dismay
His

which

relaxed
was now

gating
prove

impulse
was

simply

to

her

that world

he

the

most

unobjectionable
which resolved the of
in her

fellow itself

in into

the

"

proposition

several

ingenious
the
of

observations
and that

upon

weather,

the the

music,
merits Vivian

charms volume be feel

the world

the

drawbacks held

Baden,

the

she

lap.

If

Mrs.

should
would in

annoyed,
very sorry

should
for her

be
;

fluttered,
there
more was

Bernard

nothing
the whose
was

that of serious

he

respected
Boston whose it
to

than

moral view

consciousness of life
to

little
and held walk Vivian

woman

was

imagination
a

subject
where
to

alarms.
one

He should

be

temple
and

of he

delicacy,
wished of

on

tip
the

toe,

exhibit
own

to

Mrs. She

possible

lightness
of

his

step.

herself and
now

was

incapable

being

rude

or

ungracious,

that

CONFIDENCE.

93

she
her

was

confronted fairly

with

the

plausible object of
to
was

mistrust, she
of refined

composed

herself book

her usual
a

atti

tude

liberality.Her

volume

of

Victor
"

Cousin.
must

You

have

an

extraordinarypower
Bernard said the
to

of

ab

stracting your ing

it.
"

mind,"

her, observ
Kursaal

Studying philosophy at
as a

Baden

strikes "Don't

me

real think

intellectual
we

feat."
a

you

need

little

philosophy
But
on

here ?
"

"

By

all n't

means

"

what
use

we

bring
of
the

with

us.

should

attempt the

text-book

the

spot."
"

You

should

n't

speak

of

yourselfas
"

if you
one

were

not
are

clever,"said
so

Mrs.

Vivian.

Every

says

you

very

clever." there
was an

Longueville stared;
in

unexpectedness
Mrs.
to
was

the

speech

and

an

incongruity in
He needed

Vivian's him

beginning to

flatter him.
was a

remind
a

self that if she

Bostonian, she

Bostonian

perverted.
"

Ah,

my

dear

madam,

every

one

is no

one," he said,

laughing.
"

It

was

Mr.

Wright,
us

in

she rejoined. particular,"

"

He
"

has
He Ah

always told
know
"

that."

is blinded yes,
we

by friendship."
about
us

"

your about

said friendship/'
that."

Mrs.

Vivian.

He

has told

94

CONFIDENCE.

"

You \Ve of It 's

are

making
he

him

out
so

terrible talker !
"

"

"

think

talks

well

we

are

so

very

fond
"

his conversation."

usually excellent," said

a

Bernard.

"

But

it

depends
"

good deal

on

the

subject."
"

Oh," rejoined Mrs.

his

Vivian,
And

we

always let him

her eyes down
as

choose

subjects."
she reflection,

dropping
to

if

in sudden

began
volume.
that
"

smooth

the

crumpled

corner

of
to
was

her

It occurred

Bernard

by

some

mysterious
with
a

impulse
chance had well struck

"

she ask

suddenly presenting him

the

to

her

question that Blanche

or

Evers
as

just suggested.
occurred
with
to to

Two

three

other

things
had

him.

Captain Lovelock
Gordon

been

the fact that she favored her

Wright's
had
upon year.

addresses
a

daughter,and
she

Captain Lovelock
had
set

grotesque theory that

her

heart
a

seeing this young

Miss
as
a

lady

come

into

six thousand
never

Evers's brilliant

devoted
reasoner,

swain
but
as

had
our

struck

Bernard

friend
of the

suddenly found inspired. England

an

himself
form of

regarding him
depravity into lapsed on
a

one

The
con

which

the New

science had

Mrs.

Vivian's

part was

undue ! became be and In

of appreciation

possible son-in-law's

income

this clear.
cause

illuminating discovery everything else

Mrs. he had
at
a

Vivian
not

disliked

her

humble dollars
was

servant
a

thirtythousand
when
it

year,

because

moment

Angela's prime

CONFIDENCE.

95

duty

to

concentrate

her

thoughts
clever

upon

Gordon
man

Wright's great advantages, a paltry fortune

"

young

of

was

superfluousdiversion.
he clever, everything is relative,"
"

When

you

say

presently observed.
lock ; he has observant."
Mrs.
"

Now,
kind

there
of

is

Captain
;

Love

certain

cleverness

he is very

Vivian don't

glanced up
like

with

preoccupiedair.
she

We

Captain Lovelock,"
him
say

said.

"

I have

heard

capitalthings,"Bernard
Vivian.
"

answered.
"

We

think

him

brutal," said Mrs.

Please

don't
"

praiseCaptain Lovelock."
I

Oh,

only

want

to
a

be

just."
said
to

Mrs.
"

Vivian
you

for
want

moment

nothing.
be

Do

very

much

just?

"

she

pres

ently asked.
"

It 's my I 'in

most

ardent
hear that

desire."
"

"

glad to
Mrs.

and

can

believe easily

said it,"

Vivian.
her
a

Bernard

gave asked does

gratefulsmile,
a

but

while
"

he

smiled, he
the deuce

himself
on

serious

question.
?
"

Why
have

she go kind

me flattering

You

always been
"

very Mr.

to

me," he said aloud.

she answered de

It 's

on

Wright's account,"
words
I have

murely.
In

speaking the

just quoted,Bernard
a

Longuevillehad

felt himself, with

certain compunc-

96

CONFIDENCE.

tion,
but that

to

be

skirting the quiet

edge
little her

of

clever

impudence;
him almost that he

Mrs. her
to

Vivian's

reply suggested to impudence,

to
was

cleverness, if
his
own.

not

equal
had
"

He her

remarked

himself

not

yet done

justice.
to

You

bring everything back

to

Gordon

Wright,"

he said, continuing
Mrs.
"

smile.
a

Vivian

blushed

little.

It

is because

he

is

really at the
for
us

foundation

of
we

everything that is pleasant

first
as came we

here.

When

had he
were

some

very
he

disagreeable rooms,
us some

and

soon

as

arrived
less

found

excellent

ones

"

that

expensive.
a

And

then, Mr.

she Longueville," which

added, with

soft,sweet

emphasis
the idea of
sense,
"

should

properly have
which,
to

contradicted

audacity, but
seemed also the
"

Bernard's
a

awakened color
to

to impart really
cause

vivid

it, he

was

of your

joining our
that
a

little party." should

never

Oh, among
You wall

his services should

set

be for

gotten. it, in the

woman

up

tablet to
!
"

commemorate

of the Kursaal

The

wicked

little

"

Bernard

mentally subjoined. by his sportive

her

Mrs.
sarcasm,

Vivian and

appeared quiteunruffled
she

continued

to

enumerate

obliga

tions
"

to

Gordon
are so

Wright.
many ways
to

There
be

in which poor

gentleman
women,

can

of

assistance he

three the
same

lonely
time
so

especiallywhen

is at

friendly

CONFIDENCE.

97
I

and
we

so

delicate have

as

Mr. done
to

Wright.
without know

don't

know
I
seems

what feel
as

should
one

him, and
it. He I

if every
a

ought
friend.
I will

like

very

old

My
not

daughter and
conceal the
from

quite wor
that

ship
I
saw

him. you

you
a

when

coming through
him I
was

grounds

short time

ago

without

very

much

disappointed. I
the

hope
"

he is not
sat

ill."

Bernard
Oh
no,

with listening,

his eyes

on

ground.

he is

simply

at
a

home

writingletters."

Mrs.
"

Vivian

was

silent
a

moment.

I suppose I

he has

very

largecorrespondence."
now

"

don't really
a

know.
one

Just than
are

that

am

with

him
"

he has Ah yes.

smaller When
to

usual"
I separated But he

you

suppose
have

you
a

write volumes

each

other.

must

great many
"

business

letters." Bernard. them."

"

It is very
may

said likely,"
sure

"

And

if he

has,

you
"

be

he

writes
!

Order
his

and

method

Mrs. those

Vivian virtues

exclaimed.
are
neces

"

With

immense

property

sary."
Bernard

glancedat
fool

her

moment.
to

"My
not

dear
a

Lovelock," he said
as

himself, "you
virtues
on.

are

such

you

seem.

"

Gordon's
went

are

always
should Mrs.

necessary,

doubtless," he
was

"But

you

say his property

immense

"

Vivian

made

delicate
7

little movement

of

98

CONFIDENCE.

deprecation. "Oh, nothing

"

don't

ask

me

to

say!
was

I know

about

it ; I

only supposed he
he is not young
a

rich."

He

is rich ; but

Croesus."
men

"

Oh, you

fashionable
"

have
a

standard

of
"

luxury !
a

said

Mrs.

Vivian,

with

little

laugh.
as

To

poverty-stricken widow magnificent."

me

such

fortune

Mr.

"Wright'sseems
"

Don't

call
"

such

horrible has

names

"

exclaimed

Bernard.
and
"

Our

friend

certainlymoney

enough

to

spare."
was

That
to

all I meant.

He he

once

had
so

occasion

to
so

allude reserved knew

"

his

property, but
he took

was

modest,
one

in the tone
to

about

that it,

hardly

what He

think."
of

is ashamed be
sure

being rich," said

Bernard.

"

He

would

to

represent everything unfavorably."

I Mrs.

"That's
was more

just what
eager had than it been
"

thought!"
Vivian

This

ejaculation

might have intended,

was

but
to
ances

even

less so, Bernard

we

in

mood allow

appreciateit.
for

I felt that But

should
it
was

make
in very

his

modesty.
added.

good

taste," Mrs.
"

Vivian

He

's

fortunate

man,"
"

said he
!

Bernard.

"

He

gets

credit full

for his

good

taste

and
as

gets credit
"

for the

figureof

his income Mrs.

well

"Ah,"
to

murmured

as Vivian, rising lightly, more

if

make
the

her
full

words

appear

casual,

"I

don't

know

figure of his

income."

100
"

CONFIDENCE.

mean

only for

short from

time," Gordon

explained.
that home.
are

"

My

poor

sister writes is
not

me England, telling

my She
to
see

brother-in-law
has sail
me a

suddenly obliged to
to

go

decided

remain She
as

behind, and
wants

they
much

fortnighthence.
she goes, and her

very know
to

to

before
see

I don't

when

shall

again,I
and
a

feel the

as

if I

ought
with

join

her

immediately

spend

interval

her.

That

will take about

"

fortnight."
and I pro "On

the sanctity of family ties appreciate into your I don't

jectmyself
the other
from

situation,"said Bernard.
envy
you
a

hand,
to

breathless

journey

Baden

Folkestone." back that will

It 's the

coming

be

breathless,"

exclaimed
"

Gordon, smiling.
will
come certainly

You Most

back, then
Vivian

"

"

Mrs. certainly.

is to be here another

month."
"I much."

understand.

Well,

we

shall

miss

you

very

Gordon

Wright
will

looked

for

moment

at

his

com

panion.
"

You I
was

stay here, then

it for

am

so

glad of

that."
"

"

taking

granted;
?"

but

on

reflection

what
"

do you

recommend
you
to

I recommend

stay."
word
is

"

My

dear fellow, your

you
"

law," said Bernard.

his friend ladies," alone."

"

I want
on.

to

take

care

of those

went

I don't

like to leave

them

CONFIDENCE.

101
"

"

You hear
as

are

joking !
of my do

"

cried Bernard. of any

When
one?

did you It's

as

ever

'taking care'
to

much

can

take

care

of

myself."
"

"This

is very

easy,"said Gordon.
have
a a man

simply

want

to feel that
"

they

about
at

them."
rate
"

They

will

have

man

any

they

have

the
"

devoted That
has

Lovelock."

's

just why
an

I want
to Miss

them

to

have

another.

He

only

eye

Evers, who, by the way,

You look after

is extremely bored
others.
You have like

with made you

him.

the

yourselfvery extremely."
"

agreeable to

them, and
"

they
said

Ah,"
coarse

Bernard, laughing, if you

I collapse. flattering,

are

going to
are

be

and

If you

going

to titillate my
"

vanity,I succumb."
be
so

It won't
an

Gordon disagreeable,"

observed,

with
"

intention
no,

vaguely
be

humorous.
to Mrs.

Oh

it won't

disagreeable. I will go
in

Vivian

every

moaning, hat
with

hand,

for my

orders."

Gordon
a

Wright,

his hands

in his

pockets and
about

meditative

took several expression,

turns

the

room.
"

It will be

capital chance," he said,at last, stop companion.

?
"

ping
"

in front of his

chance chance friend."

for what
to

"A

arrive

at

conclusion

about

my

young

Bernard

gave

gentle groan.

102
"

CONFIDENCE.

Are

you

coming
long

back
ago
?

to

that ?

Didn't

I arrive

at
a

conclusion

Did

n't I tell you

she

was

girl?" delightful
"

Do

you

call that

conclusion end invent of

an

The

first

comer

could
"

tell
you

me

that at the
want
"

hour." different ?
better." I
"

Do

me

to

something anything

Bernard
"

asked. don't
want to

I can't invent you

to

invent
to

anything.
her
in

only

want

you

observe You

her will you

"

study
her

complete
"

independence.
absence Gordon
"

have
at

to

yourself

my

will

leave
"

liberty. Hang
think
!
"

it, sir,"
like it !
"

declared,

I should

you

would

Damn

sir, it, you 're delicious

broke into
an

Bernard

answered;
"I

and

he

irrepressible laugh.

don't

suppose

it 's for

my

pleasure that
about
At
"

you

suggest the

arrangement."
Gordon
"

took

turn

the

room

again.
my

No,
For

it 's for mine. your

it 's for least,

benefit."

"

benefit ?

"

I have

got all
are

sorts

of ideas up

"

I told you

the other
I want
a

day. They
fresh
"

all mixed

togetherand
fresh,"Bernard

impression." impressions are

would
a never

My

replied.
"

"

They

be

if you

had

little good-will The

that
note

if of

you

entered

little into my
so
"

dilemma."
words

reproach was
stood his

distinct in these
You
never

Bernard

staring.

take

anything seriously,"

companion

went

on.

CONFIDENCE.

103
as seriously possible. me

Bernard
"

tried to

answer

as

Your

dilemma

seems

to

of all dilemmas

the

strangest."
"That

may

be;

but you

different

people
went

take
on

things
with
a

differently.Don't
sudden
am

see," Gordon
"
"

outbreak

of

passion
in mind
"

don't I
care

you

see

that I
for of

horriblydivided
Vivian
"

immensely
I
am

Angela
her."
"

and

yet

and

yet

"

afraid

Afraid I
a am

of her

"

"

afraid she 's cleverer than

"

that she would

be
"

difficult wife ; that What

sort

she
"

might

do strange

things."

of

things ?

"

for instance." Well, that she might flirt, That Not

no.

"

's not

thing

for

man

to

fear." of

"

when
But

he supposes
I don't suppose

his wife to be fond

that
"

him
that
me

"

I have
to

given
accept

up. she

If I should

induce
on

Angela

Vivian

would

do

it

grounds purely
That

reasonable. would

She
a

would chance

think
to

it best, simply.

give her

repent."
sat

Bernard
"

for

some

time

looking at his friend.

than you.

You

say she is cleverer

It 's impossible

to be
"

cleverer
come,

than

you."
"

Oh,
I
am

! Lougueville

said

Gordon, angrily.
You have

"

speaking
clever

very

seriously.
You
"

done
me

remarkably
with the

thing.
with

have

impressed

and reality,

what

shall I term

it ?

"

104

CONFIDENCE.

the estimable Now

character

of what

you
"

call your
what
"

dilemma
pro

this fresh

impressionof
it when
you

mine

do you

pose to do with
"

get it ?
useful.

Such

thingsare
have." much

always

It will be

good
to

thing to
"

am

obligedto
upon
"

you it ?

; but

do you you

propose
to

let
or

anything depend
to

Do

propose
return

take the

leave
to

Miss

Vivian

that
"

is,to

to

charge or
fresh Gordon

give up trying
"

in

consequence

of my

impression?
seemed

perfectlyunembarrassed
the
ironical

by

this

in spite of question,

which light

it pro

jected upon
"

his sentimental
to

perplexity.
!
"

I propose That 's

a

do

what

I choose

he said.

"

relief to

me," Bernard

rejoined.

"

This

idea of yours tific mind."

"

is,after all, only the play of the scien

shall
on.

contradict

you

flat if I

choose," Gordon

went
"

Ah,

it 's well
"

to

warn

me

of

that,"said Bernard,

laughing.
world likes

Even
to

the most
notified
a

sincere

judgment
the

in the of

be

little of

danger

being
"

contradicted."
the most sincere

Is yours

judgment

in the world

?"

Gordon
"

demanded.
's
a

That

very

question.Does pertinent
may
an

n't it
"

occur

to you

that you

have open

reason

to be

jealous
the
woman

leav of

ing me
your

alone, with
choice ?
"

with field,

CONFIDENCE.

105

"

wish

to

heaven

could

be

jealous
the

"

Gordon

exclaimed.

"

That

would

simplify

thing

that
"

would

give
the

me

lift."

And

next

day,
hope

after

some

more

talk,

it

seemed

really
indeed,

with

of

this

contingency
"

though,
for

he

laughed

abon4-

it
"

that

he

started

England.

Xi.

FOR

the

three

or

four

days

that
saw

followed

Gordon of the

Wright's
ladies
chose who
to

departure,
had
remain this been in fact

Bernard committed

nothing
his

to

charge.
at

They
to

seclusion,
as an

and

he

was

liberty
at

interpret
loss
at

expression
He them
to

of

regret
other

the

of

Gordon's
and

good
he
went

offices.
to

knew and in her conscious than

people

Baden,

see

endeavored,

by

cultivating

their of

society,
Mrs. Vivian he

await and

patience

the

re-appearance But
on

companions.
that other trio confec
at

the
were

fourth
much ladies

day

became

people
American

less who had

interesting lodgings
to

the
the

of

above
and

tioner's,
door. this tain He

and

he

made been

bol^
asked

go

knock
care

their

had

to

take

of had

them,
met

and

function Lovelock

presupposed
the

contact.

He

Cap
with

day

before,
and

wandering
the young
as

about

rather had of

crest-fallen

aspect,
him

English
the where

man

questioned
Mrs. I Vivian.

eagerly

to

abouts

"Gad,

believe

they
a

've

left

the

place
!
"

left
"

the

place
lock.

without

giving

fellow

warning

cried

Love

108

CONFIDENCE.

wife gone

that

though
lady
Evers she
"

Mrs.

Vivian
"

and

her

daughter
"

had the

out, their companion,

"

the

youngest lady
in the

little young Blanche

was

above

sitting-room.
window with
a

was

sittingat

the

book, but

relinquishedthe
it had her
not

volume

with

an

alacrity began
to

that showed chatter

"

been

and absorbing,

with

customary frankness.
say I
am

Well,
the

I must

glad

to

see

some

one

!
and

'*

cried

young touch
to

girl, passing before

her

the

mirror

giving a
"

charming

tresses.

Even

if it 's

only me,"
that. think
I
mean

Bernard

exclaimed,

laugh

ing.
"

I did n't you

"

mean

am

sure

am

very

glad to
out
one

see

I should

you

would

have
to
see

found any for

see

that
"

by

this time.
man.

I 'm suppose you of

!

glad
it 's

a especially

improper
"

me

to say

that

"

to especially

There

you

do think

more

of you you
to

than

some

gentlemen.
you

Why
seem

to especially to
me

Well,

because

always
a

to

want

take n't
to

advantage.
accuse

I did n't say

base

advantage
I 'm
sure

; I did

you

of

anything dreadful.
"

I want I
"

take
see

advantage, too
I

take

it

whenever

can.

You I 've
a

take
many

advantage things
to

of your say.
sure

being
have
is
a

here

got

so

I it

n't

spoken

word
"

in three
a

days, and

I 'm

pleasant change
we

gentleman's visit. mourning

it Mr.
;

All
sure

of

sudden
don't

have who

gone

into Is

I 'm

I ?

know

%s dead.

Gordon

Wright

CONFIDENCE.

109 I 'm

It 's
mine.

some

idea of Mrs. She

I
or

Vivian's
have been

"

sure

it is n't
to the

thinks don't

we

often she the

I
am

enough
thinks
's

Kursaal.

know

whether

it 's

wicked,
done
seen

what. be

If it 's wicked any

worse

harm
now.

already
I have all

; I can't

than and

all the
names;

improper people Captain

of times, up Lovelock I

have
told

learnt
me

their
names,

has
see

their

plenty
me

don't with say

what

good
names

it

does

to

be

shut
ears.

here

all those

running
We have
most

in my

I must the for

a

I do for We

prefer society.
four

haven't

been gone

to

Kursaal drive. I do

days
taken have

"

we

only

out

have
we

the
seen

interminable old ruin

are so

drives.

believe

every

in the whole

country.
of

Mrs.
"

Vivian

and
talk

Angela
about
tains if it

awfully

fond

scenery talk

they
the knew
moun

by

the half-hour.
as

They
were

about

and

trees

if

they
!

people they
mean as

"

as

they were
trees
were

gentlemen

if the scenery

mountains 's lovely, any

and

gentlemen.
about
our

Of with
"

course

but you that has

women

can't walk
been
; but
are

tree.

At

rate,
and

all
I

society
women

! Foliage foliage
are a

suppose

sort

of

foliage.
off.
out

They
That with

always rustling
I could this
"

about up my

and

dropping
to to

's

why

n't make

mind

go
see

them

afternoon. the

They

've gone
arrived

the

Waterworths and
are

Waterworths
some

yesterday
"

stayingat
1

hotel. know what

Five kind

daughters
of

all

unmarried

I don't

foliagethey

110

CONFIDENCE.

are

some

peculiar kind
I had all
a

"

they enough

don't

drop

off.
-

thought
three
women

had

about

ladies'
I don't but

society
think ladies' I it 's
so

sticking together! girlto

have

good

for
"

young
so

nothing

ciety
stand
are

it 's up

awfully
own

limited.
and
want

I suppose

ought
when But

to

for my

sex

tell you
for

that

we

alone for
"

together

we

nothing.
!

we

want

everything,as
every
one

it knows

happens
that. she Mr.

Women's

talk

is limited
mamma

That

's just what

did n't want

when

asked

Mrs.

Vivian

to
are

take
you

charge

of

me.

Now,
"

what Longueville,

laughing
wanted
me

at ? to

you be

are

always laughing at
"

me.

She

unlimited
me

is that

what

you

say ?

Well,

she did n't want

me

to

be narrowed conversation.
"

down
She

she wanted wanted

mamma me

to

have

plenty
for

of

to

be

fitted She

society
me

that 's what

wanted.
;
are

wanted

to

have

ease

of

manner

she thinks
you I

that if you
never

don't

acquire it
She
;

when
so

you

young
to

have
come

it at all.
to

was

happy
would

think

should
of the That's

Baden

but

she
the of
two

n't approve

life I 've been

no

leading
ease

last four
manner
"

days.

way
a

to

acquire

sittingall day
of one's
"

in
!

small
course

parlor with
Mrs. Mamma don't the

persons influence
was

own

sex

Of

Vivian's

that 's the of

a

great thing.
flower. But

said
want

it
to

like the odor

you
even

keep smelling a
that 's the shortest

flower way

all
to

day,
a

sweetest;

get

headache.

Apropos

CONFIDENCE.

Ill

of flowers,do you
tain flower has
some

happen
or

to

have
?

heard
Do

whether
I call

Cap
him
a

Lovelock
?

is alive
;

dead
a

No

call

him

flower-pot. He
in

always
He

fine
near

young
me

plant
these
!
"

his button-hole. years

"

has n't been

of

ten

never

heard

anything so
Captain

rude

Lovelock
in Mrs.

came

on

the

morrow,

Bernard

finding him
paying
other
a

Vivian's On
and

little

on sitting-room

second
were

visit.
at to

this

occasion
was

the
not

two
ex

ladies

home
Miss of

Bernard for

clusivelyindebted
It
was

Evers

entertainment.

to

this

source

however, hospitality,
young

that

Lovelock
out

mainly appealed, following the

the little

girl
above

upon

balcony
window. of the

that

was

suspended
Vivian
sat

the
at
one

confectioner's

Mrs.

writing
Bernard

of the windows

and sitting-room,
to

addressed
"

his conversation
me

Angela. keep
an

Wright requested
"

to

eye

on

you," he

said ; of my
"

but

you

seem

very

much

inclined

to

keep

out

jurisdiction."
supposed
that your
you

had

gone

away," she
is

answered

"

"

now
"

friend is Gordon the

gone."
a

By
is

no

means.

charming fellow,but
attraction
to look

he

by

no

means

only
him

of

Baden.
"

Besides, I have
take
care

promised

after you

to

of

you."
at

The

girl looked

him

moment

in

silence

"

little askance.

112
"

CONFIDENCE.

thought you
of

had

probably undertaken

something

of that
"

sort,"she presently said.

was course a

It

very

natural

request for Gordon

to make."

Angela got
about
the
room

up

and and

turned
went

away; stood

she
at

wandered
one

and

of

the and
not

windows.
not

Bernard

found

the movement
but

abrupt
man was

particularly gracious;
to

the young

easy

snub. window

He
"

followed the

her, and
window

they stood
that

at the

second the

long

opened

upon
were

balcony.
on

Miss

Evers

and

Captain
into

Lovelock the
street

leaning

the

railing, looking
themselves

and

apparentlyamusing
saw.
"

highlywith

what

they

am

not

sure

it

was

natural

request

for him

to

make," said Angela.

"

What
?

could
"

have

been

more

so

"

devoted

as

he

is to you

She hesitated
"

moment

then
us

with
up

little

laugh

"

He

ought
it."
so

to have

locked

and

said

nothing

about
"

It 's not

easy

to

lock you

up," said Bernard.

with you,

"

know
are
"

Wright has great

after all I
am

influence

but

you

independent beings."
an

not

independent being. If my
were

mother
me

and

Mr.

Wright
way
seem

to

agree

together to put
it."

out

of harm's
"

they could easilymanage

to have

You

been

trying something

of

that

CONFIDENCE.

113 have been

so

sort,"said
invisible."
"

Bernard.

"You

terribly

It

was

because you
were

thought watching

you for

had
us
"

designs upon
to

us

that

take

care

of us."
"

You

contradict
I had
an

! yourself

You

said

just now

that

you
"

believed
That
a was

left Baden."
artificial
"

conventional say

speech.
of that

Is n't
sort

lady always supposed

a

to

something
have

to

visitor has know

to not

by
seen

way

of

pretending to
?
"

noticed

that she
"

him
never

You

I would

have

left Baden Bernard. stood

without

coming
The
at

bid you
no

good-bye,"said rejoinder ;
she

girlmade

looking out
German

the

little sunny,

rough-paved slanting,
"

street.
"

Are

you
"

taking care
Has the
mamma

of

us

now

she
?

asked
Have
"

in you you

moment.

operation begun
?
"

heard
know

the
that

news,

she

went

on.

Do
to

Mr. be

Wright kept

has

made

us

over

Mr. Mr.

to Longueville,

till called
us

for ?
"

Suppose

Wright
Mrs.

should Vivian

never

call for

left her

and writing-table and

came

toward hands
to

Bernard, smiling at

him

pressing her

gether.
"

There
sure

is I
am

no

fear very

of

that,I think," she said.

we a

"

am

glad
be

have
very

gentleman

near

us.

I think

you

will

go xl care-taker,Mr.

114

CONFIDENCE.

Longueville, and
great faith
gave
"

I recommend

my

daughter
And Mrs.

to

put

in
an

your

judgment."
"

Vivian

him

intense

pleading, almost

affecting

little smile.
"

am

greatly touched everything

man.

by
think

your of

confidence
to

and

shall the
"

do

can

merit

it,"said

young

Ah,

mamma's
"

confidence
was never

is wonderful

"

Angela

exclaimed. confidence. And

or

There I
am

anything like
; I have
no

mamma's

very different
like like

confidence.
a

then

I don't

like being deposited,

a

parcel,
am

being watched,
of

curious

animal.

too

fond
"

my

liberty."
second time "You you

That

is the

have
said

contradicted
now

said yourself," you

were

Bernard.
an

just

that

not

independent being."
toward him

Angela
You

turned
once.

quickly, smiling and

frowning at
"

do watch Mrs.
a

one,

! certainly

see

it has her

already

begun."
ter's with

Vivian
murmur

laid her of

hand

upon

daugh
will tell

little
over

tender
"

and deprecation,
Mamma
"
"

the you

girlbent
it 's the

and

kissed her. she agitation,"

what

effect of don't

said
I

that

am

nervous,

and

know Mr.

I say.

am

supposed
is n't that

to be

agitated by
?
"

Wright's departure ;

it,mamma
Mrs.

Vivian

turned

away,

with

certain

soft

severity.

116

CONFIDENCE.

Bernard

was

extremely amused,
it
came over

but him

he

was

also
was

good
not
a

deal wonder

puzzled, and
that poor

that it have

Wright should

not

found

this young
page.
"

a perfectly decipherable lady'sdisposition

He stood

remained there

in

the
at

room

with with away,

Mrs.

Vivian

he

looking
She had

her

his

agreeably
on

mystified smile. ceiving

toward eagerness
rose

turned
gone

but

per
came

that

her

daughter had
again,with

outside

she

Bernard

her

habitual There

little air of

mitigated by discretion.
his mind face the
to

instantly
when

before had

vision with

of that this

moment
same

he

stood after

face had

apologetic
back,
on

mamma,

Angela
at

turned
To

her
make

the

grass-grown

terrace

Siena. took

the vision
to utter

complete, Mrs.
the
"

Vivian

it into

her head

same

words.
sure

am

you

think

she is and

strange girl."
he gave you
a

Bernard
"

recognizedthem,
told
me

lightlaugh.
saw me

You

that

the first time

corner

ever

"

in that Mrs.
"

quiet little
gave of
a

of

an

Italian town."

Vivian

little

faded, elderlyblush.
murmured,
little accident

Don't

speak
window.

that," she
"

glancing

at

the open
"

It

was

of travel."
"

am

dying
a

to

speak
kept

of it," said for

me

Bernard.
!

It

was

such
"

charming accident
have you my

Tell

me

this,

at least

sketch

"

Mrs.

Vivian

colored

more

deeply and

glanced

at

the

window

again.

CONFIDENCE.

117

"

No,"

she

just
looked

whispered.
out

Bernard

of

the

window

too.

Angela
in

was

leaning just
the
as

against
she had

the

railing
stood while

of

the

balcony, painted
The

profile, against
man's

he

her,

polished
rested
on

parapet
her
a

at

Siena.

young

eyes back

moment,

then,

as

he

glanced
"

at

her

mother
"

Has

she

kept
know,"
was

it

he

asked.
Mrs.

"

don't

said

Vivian,
it
"

with

decision.

The

decision

excessive her

expressed
tested. tell

the

poor
"

lady's
little

distress

at

having
the

veracity
she
"

Dear

daughter
exclaimed

of

Puritans

can't

fib

"

Bernard

to

himself. leave of

And her.

with

this

flatter

ing

conclusion

he

took

XII.

IT
tive

was

affirmed
he
was a

at

an

early
man

stage
of
a

of

this

narra

that

young
and his

contemplative perhaps
never

and been hour the the

tions.

speculative
more

turn,
to

he

had

true two

character
as

than
sat

during by
himself

an

or

that of the its

evening

he

on

terrace

Conversation-house,

surrounded in his and the medita

by

crowd

of

frequenters,
was

but of

lost

The he had
box of

place
tilted
an

full his

movement

sound, great
atti

but green

back

chair and conscious

against
in this of

orange-tree,

easy

tude,
he

vaguely
his

and

agreeably
to

the
vault

music,
of whom he

directed There

gaze
were

the

star-sprinkled corning
to

the

night.
he

people
said

and

going
one
"

knew,
to

but be

he
alone

nothing
found

any
own

pre

ferred

he

his

company much

quite
amused,
a

absorbing.
Very
one.

He

felt

very

happy,
The

very

curiously
It

preoccupied.
of

feeling
of

was

singular
excite blanche
to

partook
He had
a

the
of of

nature

intellectual
carte

ment.

sense

having
wits.

received
Bernard

for

the

expenditure
at

his

liked the

feel

his

intelligence
of
a

play
man.

this
It

is, perhaps,

highest
over

luxury

clever

played

at

present

CONFIDENCE.

119

the whole
"

field of his

Angela Vivian's
visit in the

oddities of conduct
had He

for,since
the
to

afternoon, Bernard

felt that had

ment
come

was spectacle

considerablyenlarged.
that
an

feel,also,
no means

poor unnatural

Gordon's
one.

predica Longuevery

was

by

ville

had

begun

to

take

his

friend's

dilemma

seriously indeed. study.

The

The

girl was

certainly a curious

evening

drew

to

close

and

the The

crowd

of

Bernard's
windows

fellow-loungers dispersed.
of and the

lighted
the

Kursaal

still

in glittered the
terrace

bosky
not
was

darkness,
been almost

the

lamps along
but the

had

extinguished;
deserted
"

great promenade
there

here

and
a

only
the

lingering
radi

couple
ance

the
a

red

tip
"

of

cigar and
animation

vague
to the

of

light
sat

dress there

gave

place.

But

Bernard

still in his tilted chair,beneath wandered

to

his orange-tree ; his far and

was on

imagination had
its return

very He
saw

he^was awaiting
the

the when

fold. he of had

point

of

however, rising,
down
even

three
terrace

figures come
"

the
at

empty
a

vista

the
a

figures which
air.
a

distance his
seat

familiar

He

immediately

left

and,

taking
Blanche

dozen

steps, recognized Angela

and

Vivian,
moment

Evers them

Captain Lovelock.
middle
of the

In

he met

in the

terrace.

Blanche
come

immediately announced
a

that

they

had

for

midnight walk.

120

CONFIDENCE.

"And
"it 's not
"

if you my

think

it's
"

improper/' she exclaimed,

it 's Miss Vivian's."

invention
"

beg pardon
the

it 's
of
come

mine/' said Captain Lovelock.

it. I started me."
more

"

I desire

credit have

the

idea ; you

never
"

would I think you you 'm

without been

it would than
a

have

proper

to
"

come

without
know "I when

with

you/' Blanche
character." I 'm away

declared.

You

're much

dreadful
worse

when

from
"

you

than
me

I '111with

you/' said

Lovelock.

You

keep

in order."

The
"

young

girlgave
what

little cry. call order

!

I don't know

you

You

can't be

worse

than

you
was

have
not

been

to-night."
;

Angela
a

to this listening
at

she turned

away

little, looking about

"

the

empty

garden.
you he have
con

This

is the

third time

to-day that Though

she

tradicted he
him
"

he yourself,"
nearer

said. but

spoke softly
not

went
"

to

her;
away. have
"

appeared

to

hear

she

looked
to

You

ought
went

been have
on

there, Mr.
had
a

Longueville,"
lovelynight ; balcony, eat
ices
"

Blanche
we

on.

We

most

sat

all the To

evening
sit
on a

Mrs.

Vivian's

ing
my
"

ices. idea With

balcony, eating

that's

of heaven."
an

angel by

your

side," said Captain

Love

lock. "You
are

not

my

idea of

an

retorted angel,"

Blanche.

CONFIDENCE.

121

"

I 'm

afraid

you

'11 never the

learn what
"That's
over

the

angels are why

the Miss baker's times ices
are

really like," said

Evers
"

Captain.
to

got
that

Mrs. she

Vivian
could

take ices
to

rooms

so

have

sent

up the

several

day.
bad."
"

Well,

I 'in bound

say

baker's

not

Considering
affect the

that

they

have

been
went

baked
on.

But

they
would has

mind,"

Blanche

"They only
"

have

affected

Captain

Lovelock's

"

he

n't any. it into

affected Angela's They certainly

put
out

ting
to

her

head,

at

eleven

to o'clock,

come

walk."

Angela

did

nothing

whatever she

to

defend
stood

herself
there vexed him
;

againstthis ingenious sally;

in
at

simply
was

graceful abstraction.
her neither

Bernard
at
a

vaguely
to

looking
seemed

him

nor

speaking
of

her indifference
of criticism
"

contravention

that
to

right

which

Gordon

had

bequeathed
at

him.

supposed people went

to bed

eleven

o'clock/'

he said.

Angela glanced about

"

her, without

meeting

his eye.

They

seem

to have

gone."
on,

Miss

Evers with

strolled

and

her

Captain
and looked

of

course

kept
were

pace left

her ;

so

that Bernard He eye

Miss
at

Vivian her
a

standing together.
in

moment
own.
"

silence, but

her

still avoided

his

You

are

remarkably inconsistent,"

Bernard

pres-

122

CONFIDENCE

ently
this

said.

"

You

take
no

solemn

vow

of

seclusion
taken it

afternoon, and
you

sooner

have it in

you

than

proceed

to

break

this

outrageous

manner." She than

"

looked she had

at
ever

him done
of the

now

"

long

time

"

longer

before.

This

is part

examination, I suppose," she

said.
Bernard
"

hesitated
examination
one

an

instant.
?
"

What The

"

you

have

undertaken

"

on

Mr.

Wright's

behalf."
"

What

do you
you admit

know

about
?
"

that ?

"

"

Ah,
eager

it then

the

girlexclaimed,

with

an
*'

laugh.
in the least admit for the and honor.
more

I don't

it,"said Bernard,
of

con

scious his
a

only

moment

the

duty

of

loyaltyto simply

friend

feelingthat negationhere

was

point of
"

I trust

to my

own

conviction
to

than your
to

to

your

denial.
wisdom
me

You and

have
your

engaged
immense

bring

superior
bear upon

experience

That

's the

understanding."
us a

"You said

must

think

pretty pair of wiseacres,"

Bernard.
it is
"

"There what
will

you When

already begin
Mr,

to

answer

for you
'

I think.

Wright
that I
am

comes
'

back

be

able

to

tell him

outrageous

"

124

CONFIDENCE.

empty;

there

was

no

sound her

but

the

chatter
swain.

and
An

laughterof
gela
said This mind
as

Blanche

and

attendant

nothing. presented itself

of she declaration
was

incident
a

at

first to The

Bernard's

sort

of

war.

girl had
specu

guessed
lative

that

to

be

made
was

subject of

scrutiny.

The

idea

not

agreeable to

her

and independent spirit,

she her

placed herself boldly on

stand upon her

the
to

defensive. defeat

She

took

right
"

his purpose deceive

him.

by

every
"

possible means
in
was

to to

perplex, elude,
make which
a

him This

plain English,
the
upon construction

fool

of

for several
at the
same

days
time

Bernard
that he

put

her
it

deport

ment,
clever
on

thought
what him had

immensely
been

of her

to

have
She

guessed
made

going
much every

in

his

mind.

feel very he did

ashamed

of his

critical attitude, and of to put her

moment

thing

he could

think

off her

guard
ceased

and
to

persuade
be
to
an

her that for the

His
one,

he

had

observer.
an

position at
for he
woman was

moments

seemed
that

him

odious
him and

firmlyresolved
whom in his friend

between

the should

to

had
of
a

proposed there
vulgar
voured should
mation

be

nothing
the of

the

way

flirtation.

Under

circumstances,

it

sa

both
even

of

flirtation and with

to

vulgarity that they

other
or
"

fall out

each
be
more

consum

which

appeared
Bernard

less

definitely
that

impending.

remarked

to

himself

his

CONFIDENCE.

125

own

only

reasonable

line

of I

conduct
am

would

be

in
to

stantlyto
mention cision.

leave the

Baden, but
which

almost
to

ashamed

fact

led that he

him
was

modify

this de
to

It

was

simply
he

induced
in

make

the reflection that

Miss would in
one

had

reallysucceeded
How he had

putting
so

Vivian have way hours

off her found

or

guard.

done

he
as

it difficult to
a

explain,inasmuch
had

another, for
with

week, he
The would
most

spent

sev

eral of her with

course

in talk

her.

effective way
been
to

putting her
alone, to her,
to

off her forswear pass have the

guard
the

have

leave

privilegeof
in other

conversation This

the
had

days
the

society.
of not

would
to
measure

drawback
so

enabling
o

him and know

operation of
all the

ingeniousa policy,
in the

Bernard
when that of

liked,of
he
was

things
He
now,

world,

to

successful. successful

believed,at all
and that

events,
virtue

he

was

the this
any

his

conversation

itself had

persuaded

keen

and

brilliant world

girl that

he

was

thinking of

thing
that

in the

but herself.

He

flattered himself the

abstract

the civil indifference

of the and

of his manner,

character

topicshe selected,the
the laxity of his

irrelevancyof
con

his allusions
tributed
to
a

attention, all

this result.
result
was

Such

certainlya

remarkable
that

one,

for

it is almost
was,

superfluousto

intimate
his
to

Miss
He

Vivian
made

in fact, perpetually in

thoughts.
think of

it

point of

conscience

not

her, but

he

126

CONFIDENCE.

was

thinking lively.

of her Bernard

most

when
a

his

conscience
"

was

most

had
a

conscience

con

science

which, though
itself in

little

irregularin
run a

its

mo

tions, gave
exercise than and

the could

long
have

great deal
more

of

; but

nothing

been

natural
as

that, curious, imaginative,audacious

as delighting,

he

was,

I have

said, in the play of his sin

should

gularly
himself
"

nimble up
to
a

he intelligence,
sort

have

given

of

unconscious
"

experimentation.
be

I will leave
to

her

alone

I will he

hanged
to

if I

at

tempt

draw he
was

her

out!"

said

himself;

and per All the

meanwhile sonal

roaming
in

afield

and

plucking
and

impressions
I say, the
was

great fragrant handfuls.

man

this,as

natural, given the

is that he the his

situation;
fancied interested He very

only oddity
able
to

should person

have
most

himself that

persuade
renounced

he

had her
he and

advantage.
she
on

remembered

telling him
say of

that her this

cared
Gordon

much

what

should he

"Wright's return,
had
a

felt

that

declaration
own

particular significance.After
she
never

this,of her
and her

movement,
made
to

spoke
that she

of had

Gordon,

Bernard
mother

up

his mind

promised

accept him
as

if he
was

should
not

and repeat his proposal,

matter
"

that
to

her heart
a

in the

she

preferred
is

drop

veil for

over

the

prospect.

She

going

to

marry mother

him has

his

money," he
out

said,

"because of the

her

brought

the

advantages

thing.

CONFIDENCE.

127
powers have carried that

Mrs.

Vivian's
and the

persuasive girl has

that
to

the
it

day,
does

made does

herself n't love in

believe him. such

a

n't matter n't

"

she

Perhaps
case, to

it does

her ; it 's

hard,

put one's self in the woman's

should poor may think Gordon. make
a

point
some

of view.

But

it would She

matter,
herself in
to

day

or

other, to
it

can't his
seem

help suspecting happiness,

any
worse

difference n't wish

and
to

she him of
me

therefore than

does

is necessary. if she her intends up.

She
to

wants

me

to

speak well
expects

her;
to

deceive wish

him

she

back
a

The

is doubtless
an

natural,but
favor
to

for Oh been
a

proud girl it
she 's
to
a

is rather

odd

ask.
has

yes, able

proud girl,even
it with To
a

though
conscience
me

she
to

arrange

her

make

mercenary

marriage.
to
"

expect

to

help her ought

"

is

perhaps

treat
or

me

as

frierid ; but
to

she

to

remember

at

least I

ought

remember

that
to
a

Gordon

is
as

an

older friend than

oldest
"

she.
"

Inviting me
is n't there

help

her

against my

friend

grain of impudence
It will be
not must
on

in that ?

gathered that Bernard's

favorable that
to
was

meditations

were

the be

whole

this young

lady, and
with

it
an

affirmed of

he

struck forcibly On the the

element of had which

cynicism

in her

conduct. visit
to

evening
she

her

so-called

midnight
a

Kursaal

suddenly

sounded

note at

of sweet

submissiveness
She

re-appeared again

frequent intervals.

128

CONFIDENCE.

was

gentle,accessible,tenderly gracious,expressive, flattering.From

Bernard had
no

demonstrative, almost
sonal make

his

own

per
to

point
of this

of

view

complaint kept
remind

maidenly urbanity,but
that he be There
was

he

ing

himself

not

in

question lightof
time In
an

and

that

everything must requirements.

twist logical

looked
was

at

in the

Gordon's
absurd

all of

this

in his view
to

things.

the first
second This he

place
was

he
to

was

not

judge

at

all ; and

in the behalf.

judge strictlyon always

had

Gordon's
as a

latter the

clause former

served
to

w7hen justification
as a

failed

serve

deterrent.

When much that of

Bernard the
was

reproachedhimself
drew comfort

for

thinking too
the
reflection

he girl,
not

from To

he

thinking well.
a

let it

gradually filter into

of
more

one's

mind, through

complexity superficial
she
was an

reverent

preconceptions,that
"

extremely
think
well
!

clever coquette Bernard

in which
a

this,surely,was

not

to

had

luminous

glimpses of
coquetry
but the his

another should it

situation,
meet
was

Angela

Vivian's

with
not
an

different
to

appreciation ;
entered
on

just now7
credit pen,

item

be

side

of

Wright's

account.
as

Bernard this

wiped

mentally speaking,
a

he made

and reflection,

felt like

grizzledold
He
saw

book-keeper, of incorruptibleprobity.
as

her,
break of
a

have of

said,very

often

; she

continued
at

to

her

vow

shutting herself
had reduced

up, and it to

the

end

fortnight she

imperceptiblepar-

CONFIDENCE.

129

tides.

On

four

different

occasions,presenting him
found

self at Mrs. there

as an

Vivian's
She

Bernard lodgings, him

Angela

alone. American the and

made

welcome, receivinghim circumstances, is free

visitors.
to
to

in such girl,

receive talked
that
now

most

gallantof
herself
up for

She

smiled

and
so

gave
was

charming gayety,
to

there
at

nothing
was

Bernard

say but
a

that

least she
was

off her his

so on own

guard
!

with

vengeance.

Happily he
that
more

on

He

flattered
that in of
were

himself
even

he

remained

occasions
"

insidiously relaxing
strolled awray
with him

when,
to

the

evening, grounds
sank
to

she of

parts
the of
warm

the

the Conversation-house, where

softness and

music

sweeter

the

murmur

the tree-tops of be night-air,

the
came

Black

Forest, stirred

by the
when,

almost wandered Mrs.

audible;
in the and

or

in the

long afternoons,
the others
more
"

they
from
avowed tion

woods

apart from

Vivian

the amiable

object of her
the

the object of solicitude,

of
were

sportive adora

the

the irrepressible,

ever-present Lovelock.
woods
at

They

constantlyhaving parties in the

"

this time
which

driving over
had

the

hills to
out
was

points of interest
the

Bernard in

looked

in

guide-book.
alert talent and for

Bernard,
considerate

such
; he

matters,

extremely unexpected

developed
and he

an

arranging excursions,
his service the

had

taken

regularlyinto
a

red-waistcoated
had
a

proprietor of
courier's
seat

big

Teutonic

landau, which

behind

130

CONFIDENCE.

and

was

always
in the

at

the

service

of

the

ladies.

The chari
and

functionary
oteer;
he
he
was

red

waistcoat

was

capital
drives,
of

constantly
our

proposing
party
to

new

introduced

little

treasures

romantic

scenery.

132

CONFIDENCE.

She
and

resumed

for

moment

her

former

position,
with

stood

looking at just
a

the

opposite hills.
were
"

"That's

how

you

in

profile
"

your
"

head It
was

little thrown
an

back."
!
"

odious her
on

incident attitude.

Angela exclaimed,

rapidly changing
Bernard but he
was

the of

point

of

making
and

rejoinder,
held his
to

thought
He

Gordon

Wright
her that

tongue.
leave

presently told
on

he

intended

Baden
were

the

morrow.

They
round
"

walking

toward

her mother.

She

looked

at

him
are

quickly.
you

Where To

going ?

"

"

Paris," he

said, quite

at

hazard
to

; for

he

had

not
"

in the least determined

To
a

where
of
a

go.
?
"

Paris

"

in the
"

month

August

And

she
"

gave She and

little gave
a

laugh.

What

! happy inspiration

little laugh,but
gave
no

she

said

nothing
of Vivian and his

more,

Bernard
went

further
down
near

account

plan.

They

and

sat

Mrs.

for ten
to

minutes, and
another

then

they got

up

again
had

strolled

part of.the garden. They

it

it all to them Bernard

con

selves, and
liked
"

'was filled with

tilingsthat
mossy

of level,with inequalities
rose-trees

steps

necting them,
horizontal here
had

trained

upon

old brick

walls,

trellises there
a

arranged like

Italian

and pergolas,
as

and

towering poplar, looking

some more

if it

survived

from

primitive stage of

cul-

CONFIDENCE.

133 motionless made then

ture, with
forever
circuit
very

its stiff

boughs They
and

and

its leaves the whole

trembling.
of the

almost

garden,
she that

Angela
that

mentioned
from

quietly that Wright,

and

had he

heard
not

morning

Mr.

would

return

for another

week.
"

You

had

better

stay," she presently added,

absence
were an
"

as

if

Gordon's
"

continued

added
It do."

reason.

I don't

know,"
what

said
one

Bernard.
had better

is sometimes

difficult to say I hesitate of all

to

bring againsthim
accusation invent the

that most

inglorious fatuity, enjoyment

charges,an

of sentimental obstacles
to

of the
so

to disposition

that

he

might
to

have
remove

pleasure of seeing a pretty

them.
But it must
at

girl attempt
mitted he had that

be ad

if Bernard leave
not
so

reallythought
Baden,
much
the
a

present that
I

better
was

observation

have

just quoted
as

sign of

this conviction

of

the

hope
The

that

his

companion
was

would

proceed

to

gainsay
I must Bernard "This

it.

hope
no sooner

not

disappointed, though
it been of of it. those

add

that
to

had

than gratified

began

feel ashamed
not
one

certainly is
"

cases," said

Angela.
"

The makes

thing is surely very

it
a so

simple now."

What

simple ?"

She
"

hesitated fact that

moment.

The

I ask ?
"

you

to

stay."

"

You

ask

me

he

repeated,softly.

11*4

"Ah,"Hho
twiee She
!
"

exclaimed,

"one

doesn't

my

those

thing*

turned

away,

and
a

they

went

bark

to

her
of

mother, \vbo gave

half urgent, half
the

Bernard
remonstrant

wonderful

little look
As

inquiry.
Mrn,

they left Angola

gjmlou

ho

walked

botidt
a

Vivian,
Tho

in iVont t"f thorn at

to inunodiatt"ly

distance.

oldor

lady

talk to him
for

of Uonhm another

Wright
\veok, y""u
so

"'llo*^

not

tHnuing Ixkck
"

know," "bo miitl.

MAh

am

sorry he .stays away "it

seenm

long,"

y"C

Hernaixl

answewd,

very

K"ng

Anil
"

it had, in fact,seemed he is

to

him

very havo

long.
Imsiness/'

1 Mipposo

to always likely

said Mrs. Vivian,

M

You

may

be very

sn\\"

it is not

for his

pleasure

that, he stays
""

away,11
is faithful
snre

know
"

he

to

old

friends," said Mrs.

Vivian,
"

am

he has not
upon
as
we

forgottenns."
exclaimed

I
'*

count eertainly

that,1*IWnard
do I*

"""

wmemlvring
Vivian yes,
wo

him

Mrs. W0h

glanoed at
rememlx^r At

him

gratefully.
we

him"ean
so

romombor for my
to

him

hourly. daily,
and nard

least, 1
has been

speak
vory
on.

daughter
us.M you Ber have I

myself.
said
so so

He

kind
"

and nothing,

she went
us,

And

been
want

very
mueh

kind
to

to

too, Mr.

LonguoviUe.

thank

you/*

CONFIDENCE.

135

"Oh would
"

no,

don't!"

said

Bernard, frowning.

"I

rather you

should

n't/'

Of his

course," Mrs.
account
more.

Vivian

added,
me

"

I know

it 's all
to

on

; but

tliat makes
Let
me

wish
my

thauk

YOU

all the

express

in gratitude,
comes

advance, for the

That 's
more

rest

of the time, till he

you

back.

than responsibility
a

bargained for,"
I think

she said, with

"

little

nervous

laugh.
am

Yes, it 's more

than

bargainedfor.
little

ing of going away."

Mrs. Vivian

almost the Baden

gave

jump,

and

then
at

she
him.
"

paused on
If you
"

cobble-stones, looking up

must

go, Mr.

Longueville
"

don't sacrifice

! yourself

The certain

exclamation

fell upon cadence

Bernard's which
was

ear

with

mocking softly
to

sufficient,

however,
u

make

this organ

tingle.
like

Oh,
"

after

all,you

know," he said,as they walked know, I

am

on

"after
no

all, you

not

Wright

"

I have He

business/' with the ladies

to

walked

the

door

of their stood window

lodging. Angela kept always

there, however,
until
at
came

in

front.

She

the

little confectioner's
up.

the

others

She

let her mother

in, and

then I

she said to Bernard,

see

lookingat

him

"

"Shall
u

you

again?"

Some

time, I hope."

136

CONFIDENCE.

"

mean

"

are

you for of
a

going
moment

away
at

"

Bernard cherub
which Then
"

looked
a

little
a

pink

sugar bow
"

"

species
among
"

Cupid,
the

with

gilded

figured
he I will in said
conie

pastry-cook's

enticements.

and

tell you
he walk

this
went

evening."
to

And mentioned Schloss

the

evening
the

tell

her

she
of he

had
the

during
that Mrs.

in
not

the go

garden
As
a

they

should

out.

ap in
a

proached light
and

Vivian's
in

door the the

the little

he

saw

figure
He

dress

standing
up, and

balcony.
in with down the thick the her

stopped

looked
her

then
on

person

light dress,
shoulders
at

leaning
a

hands bent but

railing,
and

little
very

raised, dark,
he

over

looked

him.

It

was

even

through
the
finest

dusk of

he

thought
Vivian's
"

perceived

brilliancy

Angela

smile.
shall
not

go

away,"

he

said, lifting his

voice

little. She
at
went

made

no

answer

;
warm

she

only
dusk

stood and
at

looking
smiling.

down He

him
into

through
the
came

the

house,

and

he

remained

Baden-Baden

till Gordon

back.

XIV.

GORDON hours
"

asked his have

at

him

no

questions
suddenly
to

for he
say

twenty-four
began
to
me
:

after

return,
n't you

then

Well,
was

something
in

"

It

the

hotel,
A
an

Gordon's

apartment,
had

late broken had

in

the
over

afternoon. the

heavy
hour

thunder-storm

place
at
one

before,
friend's

and

Bernard

been

standing
with
torrents

of in upon

his his the

the
a

windows,

rather the At

idly,
rain-

his

hands

pockets, watching
empty pavements.
to

dance

last there

the
was

deluge abated,
a

clouds
fine
at

began

break
"

promise
the and
storm

of
was

evening.
its

Gordon
sat

Wright,
to

while

climax,
It

down after

write had the

letters,
sealed,
last
the
"

wrote

half

dozen.
a

was

he
to

directed
the series I

and that

affixed he

postage-stamp
to

of

addressed

his

companion

question
Do you

have

just quoted.
about round of

mean

Miss
from

Vivian

"

Bernard

asked,
"About

without
Miss and
to

turning

the

window.
Bernard said you

Vivian,

course."
went
on.

nothing nothing
Bernard
and

his tell
me

companion
about

"Have
?
"

Miss

Vivian
round

presently
a

turned

looking

at

Gordon

smiling

little.

138
"

CONFIDENCE.

She 's
That

creature delightful

"

"

won't
"

do

"

you

have
in
to
a

tried that moment, the

said before,"
"

Gordon.
do." don
a

No,"

he

added
back

that and

won't Gor

Bernard

turned
as

window,
"

continued,

he remained
your

silent.

I shall

have
of
an

right to

consider

saying nothing a proof

You don't about
at

unfavorable
Bernard instant
"

judgment.
faced
men

like her ! "

quickly
looked

again, and
other.

for

an

the two
my you
I"

each

Ah,

dear

Gordon/' Longuevillemurmured.
asked

"Do
"

like her then?" said

Wright, gettingup.
to

No
That

Longueville.
what you I wanted for

"

's

just
to

know,

and

am

much
"

obliged
I
am

tellingme."
for

not

obligedto
n't." her very

you

asking me.
then
"

was

in

hopes
"

you

would

You

dislike

much

Gordon

ex

claimed, gravely.
"

Won't
will

her, simply, do disliking

do very

"

said

Bernard.
a

"It better

well.
me

But

it

will
me

do
a

little
or

if you

will tell

why.
"

Give

reason

two."
"

Well,"

said

Bernard,
my

I tried to make

love to her

and
"

she boxed
The I
mean

ears." cried Gordon. know."

a

devil

"

"

morally, you

Gordon
"

stared ; he seemed tried to make

little puzzled.

You

love to her

morally ?

"

140
"

CONFIDENCE.

Ah,

there
"

is

only

one

sort

of

cried opportunity," reach

of

Bernard. wisdom."
"

You

exaggerate the

human

Suppose
"

she had
That

let you
have

make
been
a

love

to

her," said
result

Gordon. of your
"

would

beautiful

experiment."
should should
owe

I I

have

seemed
saved

to

you from

rascal, perhaps,
latent

but You

have
some

you

coquette.

would
now

thanks

for that."

"And

you air
"

haven't
of in

saved
a

me," said Gordon,

with
"

simple
assume

noting spiteof

fact. I say
"

You

what

that

she

is

a
"

coquette
I
assume

"

something
I want back

because

you

evidentlycon
with

ceal

something.
turned

the whole
to

truth."

Bernard irritation.
"

the window

increasing
he it,"

If he wants

the whole

truth

he shall have

said to himself.
He
at his
"

stood

moment

in

thought

and

then

he looked

companion again.
she would

I think
cares

marry

you

"

but

I don't think

she

for

you."
a

Gordon
hands
"

turned

little

pale,but

he

clapped

his

together.
exclaimed.
"

Very good," he
you
to

That

's

exactly how

I want
"

speak."
has

Her

mother

taken

great fancy

to

your

for-

CONFIDENCE.

141 the
be and
a

tune

and
her

it has mind

rubbed
that

off

on

who girl,

has

made
to

up have

it would
a

pleasant thing
that

thirtythousand
is
"

year,

her not

caring

for you
"

an

unimportant
I see," said

detail."

see

Gordon, looking at his friend

for his frank and

with of

an

air of admiration

lucid way

putting things.
Now that he
a

had charm

begun

to

be

frank

and

lucid,
under

Bernard
which

found
he had

in it,and him

the

impulse

spoken urged

almost

violently

forward.
"The
to to

mother
you, nice has

and

daughter
I
am

have
sure,
as

agreed together
has made
a vow

bag
be
as

and
to

Angela,
you after upon

marriage
the

possible.
of

Mrs. that ;

Vivian

insisted is
a

importance

Mrs.

Vivian

great moralist."
his friend ; he seemed

Gordon

kept gazing at

posi

tivelyfascinated.
"

Yes,

have

noticed

that

in

Mrs.

Vivian," he

said.
"

Ah, she
It 's not

's

very

nice

woman

"

"

true, then," said Gordon,

"

that you

tried

to make

love to

Angela
a

"

Bernard
"

hesitated
true.

singleinstant.
I calumniated

No, it is n't

myself, to
my

save

her
reason
"

reputation.
for my
not

You

insisted
"

on

giving
you

you

likingher
"

I gave

that

one."

And

your

real

reason

"

142
"

CONFIDENCE.

My
what

real

reason

is that

believe
an

she

would

do

you

I can't
!
"

as help regarding

injury."

"Of

course

and
some

Gordon, dropping his interested

moments at

eyes, stared

for

the

carpet.
her
to

"

But be
a

it is n't true,

then, that

you

discovered

coquette ?
"

"

Ah, that 's another

You did you did discover
want

matter."
it all the
same

"

?
"

"

Since
How

the whole discover

it ?

truth
"

I did !

"

"

you

Gordon

asked, cling

ing to
"You
"

his

rightof interrogation.
hesitated. remember that I
saw a

Bernard

must
mean

greatdeal
?
"

of her."

You

that she
not

encouragedyou
a

"

If I had

been

very

faithful

friend

might

have

thought

so."
on appreciatively, gratefully,

Gordon Bernard's
"

laid his hand

shoulder.
even

And

that

did n't make

you

like her ?
"

"

"

Confound

it,you

make
in

me

blush !
"

cried Ber
said

nard, blushing a little

fact.

have

quite
too

enough

excuse

me

from It
was

drawing
my

the

of portrait view
; I

insensible

man.

point of
his

kept

thinkingof you."
Gordon,
with his

hand
in

still

on

friend's arm,

patted it
then
"

an

instant
away.

response

to

this declaration ;

he turned I
am

much

to obliged

you.

That 's niy notion

out

of

friendship.You

have

spoken

like

man."

CONFIDENCE.

143 that. Not in the

"

Like

man,

yes.

Kemember

least like
"

an

oracle." honest
man

prefer an

to

all the

said oracles,"

Gordon.
"

An

honest
you mine have
"

man

has

his

! impressions to

have

given
I

they pretend
n't offended

be

nothing more.

hope they
"

you."

Not Nor

in the

least."
nor

"

distressed,
?
"

depressed, nor

in

any

way

discomposed you
"

For
a

what

do
; I

you

take

me

?
on

I you.

asked
You

you

favor done

"

service

imposed
my

it

have

the
"

thing,and
Thank have that you

part is simple gratitude."

for
me

nothing," said
a

Bernard, smiling.

"

You
one

asked in turn
to

great
a

many

questions; there
you.

is do

I have do

right to ask
of

What I have

you

propose ?
"

in consequence

what

told you
"

I propose

to do

nothing."
closed the
saw

This
men

declaration

and colloquy, Gordon

he had
no

the young
more

separated.
took

Bernard for

that
to

evening; he
Vivian's.
was a

granted
of carry would his

gone

Mrs.

The

burden
load that
to

Longueville's confidences
there, but
Bernard
at
ven

heavy
to

tured He

hope

he

deposit it

the the
them

door. latter
out

had

given Gordon
do with

impressions,and
he chose
"

might
of the

them
or

what

toss

window,

let them

grow

stale with

heedless

144

CONFIDENCE.

keeping.
about alone look

So

Bernard
rest

meditated,
of the

as

lie wandered
It
was use

for the for

evening.
little

less to
terrace

Mrs.

Vivian's

circle,on

the in the

of the had

Conversation-house,
made
of

for the storm

afternoon almost

the
its

place

so

damp

that

it

was

forsaken

frequenters.

Bernard

spent
of the of
a

the

evening
that
"

in the

gaming-rooms,
the

in the thick

crowd

pressed about
he had hitherto
a

tables, and
almost

by

way

change

been

nothing of

gambler
He had
a

"

he laid down
but
two
now

couple of piecesat
three had

roulette.
win

played
penny

or

times, without
the

ning
tion

; but

he
a

agreeable sensa
of
to

of

drawing
to

in

small
he

handful continued him

a
"

gold.
win.
so

He His that

continued luck

play, and

surprised and

excited

so

much

after it had the

outer

repeateditself half
walked about for

dozen half and

an

times
hour

he
in

left the

place and
darkness.

He

felt amused
almost
to

exhilarated,but
never

the

feelingamounted

agitation. He,
he

theless, returned
success

to the

tables,where

again found
he
a

awaiting
on a

him.

Again

and
so

again

put his
run

money

happy number,
at

and

steady

of

luck
of the it

began

last

to

attract

attention. and the

The crowd

rumor

spread through
received

the
a

rooms,

about

roulette

large contingent of spectators.

were

Bernard

felt that
for
a

they
of

looking
tide ; but and
he he

more

or

less
the

eagerly
humor

turn

the

was

in

for

them, disappointing

left the

place,

CONFIDENCE.

145

while
thousand when

his

luck
francs

was

still
his the

running high,
It
was

with
very

ten

in
to at

pocket.
inn
"

late
for

he
to

returned knock

so

late that
But
was

he

bore
betook

Gordon's his
own

door.

though

he

himself
even

to

quarters,he
rest.

far from

or finding,

seeking,immediate
would he
was

He the

knocked

about,
not

as

he

have

said, for
at

half

night
won

"

because

delighted
rather

having
all of
manner a

ten

thousand he found he had

francs, but
himself

because the
was

sudden which char

disgusted at evening. \ It

in

spent the
of

extremely
that his

acteristic should he
in

Bernard

Longueville

pleasure
What
it not

suddenly
was

transform

itself into flatness. He he

felt the

not
on

regret or repentance.
his the conscience that

had
had

least

given

countenance

to

reprehensible practice of gaming.

that he had

It

was

annoyance
"

passed out
a

of his

own

control unable and

that
measure

he

had
at

obeyed
the time. In

force
He

which
been
a

he

was

to
was

had

drunk
mo

he

turning

sober. of

spite of
and
a

great

mentary
of any

appearance

frankness

livelyrelish
exert

conjunction of agreeable circumstances

pressure
to

ing
had
never

which
taste

one

could

respond, Bernard
himself
to to

reallylittle
did
so

for very

giving
soon

up, and take

he him

without

wishing
himself

self back. that

ten
was

He
not

had

now

given
the
was

something
had

himself, and
francs

fact that
an

he

gained
salve to

thousand

by

it

insufficient

10

146

CONFIDENCE.

an

aching
He with.

sense

of
not

having
been

ceased

to
"

be
he

his
had
a

own

master.

had

playing
the

been

played
brutal

TTtTliad

been

sport of

blind,
been Good of him his

chance, and

he felt humiliated

by having divinity.

favored luck the

and

by

so

rudely-operatinga
luck
?

bad

Bernard that

felt very luck

scornful
to
on

save distinction,

good
As

seemed
went

rather

the

more

vulgar.
at

the

night

deepened, and disgust

with woke it sent up
to

last the weariness He

it

brought

him
a

to

sleep.

sleptvery
could
not

late,and
At

disagreeableconsciousness.

first,

before what ill of

his thoughts,he collecting he had

on

imagine
spoken

his mind
?

"

was

it that he

had

Angela
with

Vivian

It

brought him
gone

extraordinary
in extreme

relief to remember

that he had

to bed

ill-humor dressed
a

his
and

exploitsat just as
him
a

roulette.
was

After

he

bad

himself

he
note

leaving his

room,

servant

brought
"

superscribed in
the

Gor
to

don's

hand

note

of which

followingproved

be the

contents.

"

Seven have take

came

o'clock, A. M.
determined the in train very
at
me

"

MY

DEAR

BERNARD

Circumstances I shall that for

a

to leave starts
an

Baden hour

immediately, and
hence.
I won't I
I
am

that late this I

told you this

you

last

night, so

disturb
came

painful parting
last do
to

unnatural

hour.

to

decision

evening, and
to

put up my
self off. and in
so

things ;
comfortless

so

I have

nothing

but

take

my

I shall go to

Basel, but after that I don't know

an

where,
to

uncertainty I

don't

ask

you

follow

148 which
tion he

CONFIDENCE.

led to his sudden

had did
never

departure
in

aud

the

informa his friend.

succeeded he
mean

extractingfrom
a
"

What
Gordon of this
sense

by
words

traceable
he

"

connection
to
was

used

and idly,

meant

make
this

point an

distinction. intelligible accuracy

of

It

of his usual in He Baden

expression that
to

assisted

Bernard letter. back

to

a fitting meaning

his late that up

companion's
he
to

intended with that he

to

intimate
mind made

had

come

his had
"

relinquish

his suit, and

from moral

questioned
for the sake

Bernard

simply
fact that

curiosity Nothing
told him
"

of intellectual

satisfaction. Bernard had

was

altered

by

the

sorry

tale ; it had

not

modi
trace

fied his behavior

that

effect would his

have

been

able.
was a

It had

simply

affected the

imagination,which
sort.

consequence
of the
case was

of

imponderable

This

view
of his

supported by
man

Gordon's
had
a

mention

good spirits. A
he had
acted in

always

good spirits
conviction.
to

when Of

harmony
the

with

course,

after

renouncing
Miss been

attempt

make

himself

acceptable to
had

Vivian, the
to at

only possible
Bernard,
himself Gordon's
its

thing

for Gordon
to

leave last

Baden. convinced

continuing

meditate,
been
no

that there had last visit had character

and that had

explicit rupture, that

been
a

simply

visit of

farewell,that

signifiedhis withdrawal, sufficiently

now

he had he

gone very

away

because, after giving

to meet

the

girlup,

wished

naturallynot

her

CONFIDENCE.

149

again.
coherent

This

was,

on

Bernard's

part,

sufficiently
an

view

of

the

case

but

nevertheless,

hour

afterward,

as

he

strolled

along stopping

the

Lichtenthal

Alley, exclaiming
an

he

found

himself

suddenly
Have I

and

under

his

breath
"

"

done
"

her
Later

injury
the

Have

affected himself

her

prospects
half
a

in

day
had

he

said

to

dozen

times

that

he

simply

warned

Gordon

against

an

incon

gruous

union.

XV.

Now

that
and of
not

Gordon
to

was

gone, he
was

at

any sudden

rate,
arid of he

gone

for

good,
sense

return,
It
out

felt
a

singular

freedom.

feeling
as

unbounded
said
to

expansion,
self,
to

quite

of

proportion,
cause.

him

any
to

assignable
have loss become what
use

Everything
very

suddenly
but he
was

appeared
quite
seemed
to at

optional
with of his

to to

do make
to

liberty.

It

harmless pay

it, in the
ladies

afternoon,
who he

go
the

and

another

visit

the

lived
met
a

at

confectioner's.
which

Here,
a

however,
fresh Gordon element had

reception

introduced situation
was

of

per

plexity
him.

into

the door
a

that
to

left

behind

The

opened

him of

by
the

Mrs.

Vivian's

maid-servant,
who
were

sturdy
that receive

daughter
the

Schwartzwald,
much

informed

him
to

ladies
any and
one.

"

with

regret

"

unable
are

"

They

very

busy
way

"

they

are

ill," said

the

young

woman,
was

by

of

explanation.
and he

Bernard

disappointed,

felt like

arguing

the
"

case.

Surely,"
!

he you with

said,
make

"

they

are

not

both

ill

and make

busy
them

When agree

excuses,

you

should

each

other."

CONFIDENCE.

151 round

The
a

Teutonic upon
her open what
so

soubrette the
door. I
can,

fixed her
of

blue revealed

eyes
to

minute

patch

blue

sky

her
"

by
I

say

lieber Herr.
as a

It 's not

my

fault
of

if I 'in not

clever

French

mamsell. There

One

the ladies
it."
"

is

busy, the

other

is ill.

you

have

Not

quite,"said
are

Bernard.
of
"

"

You

must

remember

that
"

there

three

them." the
!
"

Oh, the little one

Miss Evers of weeps

little

one

weeps."
to

"

exclaimed

Bernard,
tears

whom
pre

the vision sented

"

this young

lady in

had

never

itself.

That

happens
said

to

young

ladies when
with
an

they are

un

happy,"
cant

the

girl ; and
a

artless

yet signifi
left side

smile
broad
am

she

carried

big red

hand

to the

of

bosom. sorry

"I

she

is

unhappy;

but

which

of

the

other
"

ladies

is ill ? " is very

The

mother the young

busy."
is ill ?
"

"

And

daughter
woman

The

looked

at

him

an

instant,smil
eyes

ing again,and
cated
"

the

light in
not

her

little blue

indi

confusion, but
mamma

perversity.
she ill,"

No, the

is

exclaimed,

"

and

the

daughter
Baden."
"

is very

busy.

They

are

preparing

to leave

To

leave

Baden

When

do

they

n go ?

152
"

CONFIDENCE.

I don't

quite know,
information

licber Herr Bernard he

to

but

very away.

soon." He Mrs.
on

With
was

this

turned

rather had of

surprised, but
not

reflected

that

Vivian banks

proposed
Oos,
and

spend

her
were

life

the

the

that year.

people
In the who

leaving
the

Baden

every he

day
met
an

in the

evening, at
was

Kursaal,

Captain Lovelock,
air of

wander

ing

about

with

explosive sadness.
"

"Damn

it, they're going

yes, young

they're going,"
men

said

the

Captain, after
a

the
to

two

had
"

ex

changed
their the
rooms,

few

allusions in

current

events.
manner

Fancy

leaving us
time
to
run

that
"

heartless
it's the

! to

It 's not your

races

away
so

time any.

keep
The

if you

're

lucky as

to have
a

begin next
All

week

and

there '11 be
are

tremendous
Miss and

crowd. Evers

the

grand-ducal people
awfully
to
see

coming.
Duke,
make
a

wanted ised

the

Grand
I

I -prom
out

her

an

introduction. is up
to.

can't you

what
note
come

Mrs.

Vivian

bet

ten-pound
has
means

she 's back

strike if she
"

giving chase.
and camp gone and
"

Our

friend
Mrs.

Wright
Vivian

off

again,and

to
see

follow.

She '11 pot him

yet

; you

does n't ! is

She

running

away

from

you,

dangerous

man

"

said
"

Bernard. Do you
mean on

account
"

of

Miss

Evers

Well,
;

I admire

Miss

Evers

don't mind

admitting that
with

but

ain't

said Captain Lovelock, dangerous,"

CONFIDENCE.

153

a
ous

lustreless
when

eye. he has

"How

can

fellow

be his
Evers

danger
pocket
?

n't ten

shillingsin
But

Desperation,do
money,
so

you
as

call it ?
have
"

Miss
I

has n't

far

heard. don't
care

don't
a

ask

you,"

Lovelock she has

I don't
-

continued
or

"I 's
a

damn

whether

not.

She

devilish I 'in hit.

and charming girl, 1 stand Mrs. 's

no

mind I

telling you
stand
no

chance
's down I 'm of
not
ex

1 know
me,

chance.
Mrs.
out

Vivian

on

and, by Jove,
to

Vivian for
a

right.
woman

the

husband

pick
and
no

young

pensivehabits
the
sort

expectations.Gordon
that 's wanted, and,
him
so

Wright hang
for

's

of young Vivian

man

me,
own

if Mrs.

did n't want

much

for her him

me

daughter,I
little would
of them
one.

believe

she'd believe
in

try and
that
two

bag keep give

the

Gad,

to

off she

like to cut
!

him

and

half to each She

But for

I 'm

afraid of that little woman. like

a

has all

got

little voice could

screw-driver.
from
in
"

that, if I
I would

get
the

away

this
"

cursed

place,
if I n't ! I
owe

keep

girl
the
races

sight
dash
what

hang
me

me

would But
a

n't ! I 'd cut

I 'rn in pawn, of of

if I would
means.

if you money
a

know
at

that

beastlylot beggar
The

the inn, and

won't let

that
me

impudent
out

little

landlord

of

his

sight.

luck 's dead

n't
won a

against me farthingin
other
"

at

those

filthy
I

tables ; I
wrote to
an

have my
answer

three

weeks.

brother from

the him

day, and

this

morning

I got

cursed, canting letter of

154

CONFIDENCE.

good advice, remarking

debts it 's
to
seven

that
does
a

he had
n't

alreadypaid
to

my
;
me

times. six

It and of my

happen
Does

be

seven

only six, or

half ! life at

he

expect
de engage the

spend the
?

rest

the
me

Hotel
to

Holas

lande
a

Perhaps he
there It
comes

would it off

like

waiter

and

pay be

by servingat
for
seven

table
next

d'hote.
time
two

would

convenient with hate his

him

the

he

abroad
I You

daughters
of hard you bent
not

and

governesses.

the

smell I 'm Can

are

their
up be
on

beastly
?

table
sure

d'hote
I 'm much

're

sorry you.

I 'm any

obliged to
dear

of

service ?

My
money

fellow,if
the

you

throw
man

ing
to

your

about Bernard's
a

place

I 'm of

the

stop you."
were

winnings
the

the

previous

night

burning
Ten

hole, as
francs
a

phrase is, in his

never

pocket.
seemed the
to not
a

thousand
so

had

before
to

to him

heavy good

load luck

to

carry, and

lighten

weight

of

his

by lending fifty pounds

an

less fortunate

was fellow-player

operationthat strongly com

conscience,

his good-nature only gratified itself made

to

but

mended

his

conscience.

His

however,

its
went

conditions.
"

"My
have

dear

Longuein that my you of

J

ville," Lovelock
for
sort

on,

always gone
all

family feeling,early associations,and

of

thing. That's
Dovedale.

what

made

me

confide

difficulties to remind
person
me

But, upon

my
or

honor,
that
own

of the
are

good Samaritan,
of
me

sort

; you

fonder

than

my

brother

156

CONFIDENCE.

whenever,
himself

for the next

three

or

four done
an

days, he

foresaw

stoppingshort,as
whether
was an

he had

before,and ask

ing himself
Vivian. inasmuch
as

he

had idle
was

done
and
not

injury to Angela
where

This
as

unpractical question,

the

answer

forthcoming ;
she in

it

was

quite simple and

of

conclusive

to say, without
was,

the
many young

note

that interrogation,

spite of

attractive
woman.

points, an During
the

abrupt
three
at
or

and

capricious days
in

four

question, Bernard
what ceived which
to
a

lingered on
to
"

Baden, uncertain
if he had
re

do

or

where check
the

go,
a

as feeling

sudden

sort

of

snub spiritual of motive.

"

arrested

accumulation
saw

Love

lock,also,whom
think
that

Bernard

every
a

day,appeared to
slap
in the
a

destiny had
not

given him

face,

for he had view

"

enjoyedthe
Evers.

satisfaction of

last inter

with I

Miss

thought
"

she

might have
know."

written

me

note,"said
Some

the

Captain ;

but it appears

she does n't write.

don't write, you girls Bernard would

remarked
news

that

it

was

possibleLovelock
Blanche
; and

still have he
a

of Miss

before her

he left Baden forsaken swain

learned

that

she had

addressed
from

charming

little note

Lausanne,
from flight that for

where

the three ladies had

where Mrs.

paused
had remain.

in their

Baden, and
the
"

Vivian

decreed

present they should

I 'm
"

devilish
some

glad she writes,"said Captain Love

know."

lock

do write, you girls

CONFIDENCE.

157
most

Blanche
for whose

found

Lausanne

horrid The

after Baden,

delights she
however,
were

languished.
not

delights of
now

Baden,

obvious

just

to

her

correspondent,who
into the Kursaal

had and

taken left them lent

Bernard's

fifty pounds
Bernard,
on

there.
another

learning his misfortune,

which he

him

with fifty,

performed
; and
over our

second hero
was

series
not

of unsuccessful
at

experiments
he had

his

ease

until whole which

passed
of his

to

his

luckless

friend penny

the of

amount

own

winnings, every

found
into

its way the bank. left

to

through Captain
When this the

Lovelock's

back fingers

operation was

completed,

Bernard

Baden,

Captain gloomily accompany

had
One

ing

him

the

station. that

I heave

said

there

come

over

Bernard
he made He

singularsense
of his freedom
went to

of freedom.
was

of the
a

uses

to

undertake

long journey.
from of

the

East of
two

and

remained
years
"

absent

Europe
life of

for

upward
East is

period
a

his

which
The

it is not
a

proposed
wonderful

to

offer

complete history.
Bernard, investi
curious
en

region,and
a

gating the mysteries of Asia, saw

and

great many

beautiful
;

things. He
laid up
a

had

moments

of keen

joyment
even a

he

great
of

store

of

impressions and
But,
upon It
was never

considerable
was

sum

knowledge.
to

theless, he

not

destined

look

back

this
was

episode
less

with

any

particular complacency.
it was

than delightful

supposed

to

be ; it

less

158

CONFIDENCE.

successful
ural would
was an

than

it

might
cup very of

have

been.

By

what

unnat

element have

the been

pleasure was
at
a

adulterated,he
to

much

loss

say

; but

it

incontestable

fact that

at times
as a

he

sipped

it as

medicine, rather

than

quaffed it
on

nectar.

When

people congratulatedhim
the world, and said

his

opportunity of seeing
him
more

they
felt

envied
even

the
than

of privilege

seeing degree
fortune
terms.

it of

so

well, he

the

usual that easy

irritation
so

produced by poorly
of
us

an

insinuation
to

thinks

as

give

us

Misplaced sympathy
Bernard

is
at
a

the

least

available
him

of

and superfluities,

this time

found of

self
nence

thinking
in the

that

there
He
so

was

good

deal

imperti

world.

would, however, readilyhave

as

confessed
Oriental he would that

that, in

far

he
was

failed

to
own

enjoy
;

his

wanderings, the
have
never

fault

his

though

made
was a

mentally

the

gratifyingreflec
If,during gayety had
may be

tion the sunk found of

fault less deliberate. I

period
to
a

of which

speak, his

natural

minor

key, a partialexplanation
was

in the

fact that he

deprived
was an

of

the

society
circum

his

late that

companion.
the
two

It

odd
not

stance

young

men

had

met

since Gordon

Gordon's
went
so

abrupt departure
Berlin,
and
on

from

Baden.
to

to

shortly

afterward sides

America,
the

that

they
he

were

opposite
his
own

of

globe.
made

Before

returned
or

to

country, Bernard
to

by

letter two

three

offers

join

him

in

Europe,

CONFIDENCE.

159
to
were

anywhere
swered
and that him

that

was

agreeable
movements

him.
very trouble
to

Gordon

an

that
he

his

uncertain,
Bernard this incon
to to

should about.

be He him
at
a

sorry had

to

to

follow venience and

one

put him
from

in such

making
favor

travel time
men. was

Venice

Baden,

enough

ask, even
of course,

of the most afraid Vivian

as

obligingof
what he

Bernard

was,

that
was

had
cause

told
of
a

Gordon
state

about
of

Angela

the really
two

things which,
a

between

such

good friends, wore

Gordon
for had

perceptible
up
;

resemblance but and

to alienation.

given her

he bore
so

Bernard
as

grudge

speaking ill of her,

long

this

impression should disagreeable

to
see

he preferrednot last,

him.

Bernard with
no a

was

frank

enough
rancor,

to

charge
which

the

poor

fellow

lingering
him

of

he

made,
the

indeed,

great crime.
assured
no

But

Gordon
his

denied
own

and allegation,
was

that, to
their
a

there perception, He

decline
favor and

in
as

intimacy.

only requested,as

tribute to
no

that "just susceptibilities,"

Bernard
or

would

allude

more

either to Miss
This

Vivian

to

what
to

had

happened
with, and
but

at Baden.

request was

easy

comply
to
was

conformed Bernard, in writing, strictly

to

it ; in of
to

it seemed

him

that the

act

of be
a

doing so
better

itself a what
avoid
over

cooling-off.What
is
a

would
"

proof

called
natural

"

tension

than

an

agreement
a

topic ?

Bernard

moralized

little that

Gordon's

and "just susceptibilities,"

felt

160 the

CONFIDENCE.

existence
was a

of

perverse

resentment
to

in

so

honest
with

nature

fact

gained
It fact

his

acquaintance
be
at

psychological science.
that he suffered of

cannot to

said, however,
all times
was

this
his

occupy

the

foreground
some

consciousness. his heard

Bernard

like

great painters;
He

foregrounds were nothing

a rumor

very Mrs.

hap

pily arranged.
and gone her
to

of

Vivian

daughter, beyond Italy;

and he

that

they

had

learned,
Evers He

on

apparently good
returned
to

that authority,

Blanche

had

New

York
tain

with

her mother.
was

wondered
pawn
at

whether
the Hotel
to to

Cap
de

Lovelock If

still in did
not

Hollande.
too

he

allow done

himself
a

wonder

curiously whether
be of affirmed that other that

he had
he
was

harm

Gordon,
recur

it may
rence

haunted which
a

by

the

question,of
Had know he that him

mention harm
to

has

alreadybeen
Vivian, and

made. did she

done

Angela
This
it
was

lie had

done

it ?

inquiry by
far from it visited

no

means

made
him

miserable, and
his

awaiting
him
at
"

regularlyon

pillow.
in

But the

intervals, and

sometimes the

strangest places
of
an

suddenly,abruptly,in
or

stillness of
an

Indian

temple,
He

amid

the

shrillness with Some

the

Oriental
he called of

crowd.
it his

became

familiar

it at last ; invisible

Jack-in-the-box.
would pop press up,

touch

circumstance

spring,and
in the

the
face

little
and

image

would
an

staring him

grinning

interrogation. Bernard

always

CONFIDENCE.

161

clapped
as

down

the
inane.

lid,

for

he

regarded
it
was more

this

phenomenon frequent
than

strikingly
pang of of

But

if

any

conscience

connected
this last

with

the

remem

brance

Gordon

himself,

sentiment
relief

was

certainly
hear
at

lively
last
a

enough
rumor

to

make

it

great

to

that
The

the

excellent
reached

fellow

was

about

to

be

married.

rumor

him

at

Athens;
the
name

it

was

vague his

and

indirect,
But

and

it

omitted

of

betrothed.
took comfort

Bernard

made

the

most

of

it, and
had

in

the

thought
his

that

his

friend

recovered

his

spirits

and

appetite

for

matrimony.

11

XVI. IT
turn not

was

till

our

hero

reached

Paris, on
rumor

his

re

from

the

distant

East, that the

I have

just

mentioned

acquired an appreciableconsistency. Here,

it took
a

indeed,

the of his

shape

of

authentic letters which

information.
had communica been

Among

number him
at

delayed

awaiting
tion
or

banker's

he

found

from
two

Gordon
his
"

Wright.

During
with

the

previous
trusted
"

year and

correspondence
friend
had
not

this

trusting
had

been
news

frequent,and
of him.

Bernard
or

received letters
as

little direct had overtaken

Three

four
"

short letters
nous,

him

in his

wanderings
as

cordial,to
the made

all appearance, missives of

if not
an

volumi
time.

as

punctual
a

earlier that

Bernard
were as

point

of

satisfyinghimself
them
to

they

cordial ; he

weighed
It

in the him
on

scales the

of im

partial suspicion.
that
tone.
was a

seemed

whole

there
If he

was

no

relaxation
less often very

of than

Gordon's he used

epistolary
to

wrote

do, that
as men

thing
older.

that
The

commonly

happened
moreover,

grew

closest

intimacies,
and

had

pliases and
even

seasons,

intermissions
in

revivals, and
countenance

if his friend

had,

fact,averted

his

164 estimate

CONFIDENCE.

the scientifically
over

woman

I should I don't I
it !
am

many.
know how

have
I
ever

altogether got
came

that, and
nonsense.

to

talk such
you

fascinated best my I of it is

now,

and

assure

I like

The

that

I find it does Blanche. she is.

"

n't in the least

prevent

estimat
see

ing
what she

I She

judge
's

her
"

very

fairly
"

just
want ;

simple
's what she

that 's what I

I You

's tender
how She

that

long

for.

will you has

remember of that.

pretty
was

is ; I need younger

n't remind and

two

much and

then,
in these and much. the

she
or

greatlydeveloped
years. I don't But
want

improved
be

three

she will her

to

always

young
too

innocent" She
came

improve
her I

back
met

to America

with

mother
saw

winter

after

we

her at Baden, but

ago. Then I have

never

her
new

again till three

eyes, But
me

months wondered

saw

her with
so

and
was

I n't

I could her

been

blind.

I
so

ready for
now

till then, arid what

that I have
come

makes
to

happy
way

is to know

my
me

present

of
"

feelingby experience.
you
see

That still. We

gives
But
to

confidence under
married

am

reasoner

I be

am

the
in
a

charm, for all my

month
sends
'
"

reason.

are

try and
a

come

back
which

to

the

wedding. give you

Blanche
verbatim.
as

you him
to

message,
am

I will

Tell

I
at

not

such
I

little silly
a

chatterbox
wiser has but
; I
an

used almost you

be
as

Baden.
as

am

great deal
She
"

am

clever

Angela
Vivian

Vivian.'
very clever

idea

thought

Miss

it is not

CONFIDENCE.

165 I

true

that she is
and see."
went

equally so.

am

very

happy
able

; conie

home

Bernard the which

home,
in
at

but time

he

was

not

to

reach

United
took

States

for

Gordon's

wedding

place

midsummer.
found his friend
was

Bernard, arriving
a

late in the autumn, of

some

married able he I
to

man

months'
to

standing, and

judge,

according happy.

his

invitation, whether
of

appeared
have
the

The

first effect been

an

the

letter

just

quoted had
had been
a

immense

surprise;
which
were

second the

series of reflections these

quite

negativeof surprise ; and

mind timent should almost chosen. Evers had of be

operationsof
in
a

Bernard's
sen

finally merged

themselves
was

simple

jollity.He
married
; he to

delighted that
jovial about
of

Gordon
was

felt

it ; he he

indifferent

the

question

whom of

had

Certainly, at first, the

seemed
a

choice
; it
was

Blanche

highly incongruous
woman

difficult to
minister
to

imagine
Gordon's

young
strenuous

less
needs than

shaped
the

to

and light-hearted

empty-headed
had
nate
was

little flirt whose for of Bernard

a one

inconsequent prattle
of the time.

remained memories
a

least
Blanche

importu
Evers little
; but

charming
"

pretty

little goose
doubtless

the the
for
a

prettiest of
most

geese, she
man,
was

perhaps, and
not
a

amiable

companion
like his

peculiarlyserious
share his view
"

who

would

wife
a

to

of

human

What responsibilities.

singular selection

166 what

CONFIDENCE.

queer

infatuation
to

Bernard line
of

had criticism

no

sooner

committed

himself

this

than
of

he

stopped short, with

carried that
men

the

sudden

consciousness
naivete.

error

almosi

to

the

point of
was

He
sort

exclaimed
of

Blanche of

Evers

exactly the

girl that
ended

Gordon love

Wright's stamp
with, and
he
was

always
Gordon
case

by
very he of what
to ;
a

in falling much had

that

poor

knew than

better done in

what

about solve

in this

trying
life with

to

the

deep problem
This
was

comfortable
your

Angela

Vivian.

strong, solid, sensible

this

fellows

always

came

they paid, in fancy

to

a particular, larger tribute

to

pure

than

the that
an

people
muse.

who

were

supposed habitually
Evers
was

cultivate
call
a

Blanche of

what

the
had

French taken
Me and

article
in

fantasy, and

Gordon

pleasure

finding her
other

deliciouslyuseless.
and it

cultivated

in utility
to
a

ways,

pleased

flattered him
have

feel that
kittenish
common

he could
wife.
sense

afford, morally
He had within
so

speaking, to
himself
that carry up and
to
a

fund
a

of

to

draw would

upon, be but

espouse
to

paragon

of wisdom He who

to

water

the

fountain. of
a

could
was

easilymake
a

for the if she

to

deficiencies charmed the

was

wife

little could for

silly,
treat

and

amused
of in these the

him, he
sensations least

himself selves. ruined

turns

luxury
not

them

He

afraid

of

being
and it

by it, and
of the head

if Blanche's

birdlike

chatter

had

made

fool of

him, he knew

CONFIDENCE,

167
took

perfectly well, and rights. Every

and life is not
man

simply
has
mere a

his stand
a

upon

his

right to

little flower-bed,
Bernard of

all

kitchen-gardening.
this

rapidly extemporized surprisehis

all-sufficient Blanche
a a

rough explanation
him, and
needs. she he He

the
it

friend for

had his

offered immediate

found
wrote

charming note,
of and spirit and

to which

replied with
was

great

deal

grace.

Her

little letter it do

very
two

prettilyturned,
or

Bernard, reading
to

over

three

times, said
very these

himself have
or

that, to
her

her

she might justice, lect

was a

well
two

polished
years.

intel As

trifle

during

three

she
It

older, she
occurred the sort of of

could

hardly help being wiser.

that she

even

to Bernard

might
become

have
as

profited
disci

by

experience that

is known

the
of
was

pline

suffering. What
and that tender

had

Captain
appar

Lovelock

passion which

ently none
in the

the less
a

genuine for having been

period ?
Had

expressed they been

slang of

humorous

permanently separated by judicious guardians, and

had she been

obliged to obliterate his image

heart ? Bernard had

from
sure

her
at

little lightly-beating Baden

felt

that, beneath

her contemptuous
of the

airs

and of

that
con

impertinent
quest

consciousness
a

difficulties

by

which
a

pretty American
in
"

girlattests
young felt
sure women

her

allegianceto
occupy Blanche the had

civilization

which
he had

highest place
a

that

high appreciation of her

handsome

168

CONFIDENCE.

Englishman,
relish her of

and

that

if Lovelock

should
upon
to

continue the
Bernard advan

to

charms, he

might

count

tages

reciprocity.But
Lovelock
had

it occurred been and

that

Captain
at

perhaps

faithless;that,
the him

the discourtesy of chance least,

an

inhumanity
an

of

elder

brother
the
to

might
do

have

kept

eternal all Ber

prisonerat
nard work knew
out

Hotel
the

Hollande

(where,for
had been

contrary, he
in the

obliged to
of
a

his

destiny
so

arduous
young of

character

polyglotwaiter);
backward retreat, and

that

the poor
the

girl, casting
Mrs.

glances along failingto

path
the

Vivian's
rush of for
a

detect

onward

rescuing cavalier, had

saken, and
to

perforce believed obliged

very
to
summon

herself

had
It

been
\v7as

philosophy
her

her

aid.

possible that
her
the
art

philo

sophic studies
and

had

taught
have

of

reflection;
was

that, as

she would toned

down.

said herself, she

at

tre

mendously
don that

Once,
to
was

Baden, when
himself
her

Gor

Wright happened
little Miss Evers had

take

upon

to remark

bored
to

by

English gal

lant, Bernard
Gordon
no

ventured about

observe, in petto,that
But all this
was

knew

nothing
now,

it.

of and in

consequence away

and

Bernard

steered detect himself

further
fallacies
to

further his
and

from

the

to liability

friend.
our

Gordon

had had

engaged
not
was a

marry,
to

critical hero

grain
a

of fault

find
was

with

this resolution.
what

It

capitalthing ;
do
him
a

it

just

he

wanted

; it

would

world

of

C01

TWENVE.

169

good.

Bernard

with rejoiced
that
a

him

and sincerely,

re

grettedextremely
to

series of solemn should

engagements

pay

visits
at
were

in

England

prevent his being

present

the

nuptials.
well
over,
as

They
reached the the

have

said, when
had

he and
at

New

York. of

The

honeymoon
life had

waned,

business

married

begun.
rather

Bernard,

end,

had

sailed from had

was a

England

abruptly.
on one

A of
to

friend the

who

remarkably good obliged by

a

cabin

steamers

sudden
to

detention

give
latter of

it up, and availed

a

on

his

offeringit

Longueville,the
this

himself

gratefullyof

opportunity
usual

being

little less

discomposed than
He

by
at

the
two

Atlantic

billows.

therefore
than

embarked he had
to

days' notice, a fortnightearlier

and

intended
him.

than

he of

had
course,

written

to

Gordon that

expect
was

Gordon,
no

had

written

he

to
now

seek
pre

but hospitality
"

that which
a

Blanche house
"

was

pared
to

they

had but

charming
had

so

graciously

dispense;

Bernard, nevertheless, leaving the

ship early in
hotel. he
to

the

morning,
not to

betaken

himself

to

an

He

wished
to

his welcome, anticipate

to

arid

determined
come

report himself
his

Gordon later in

first and the

back

with

luggage
of his Fifth

day.

After

purifying himself
and walked up

he sea-stains, Avenue
of with

left his all loco

was a

hotel

the

newly-landed voyager'senjoyment
motion. It
was a

terrestrial

charming

autumn

day

there

170

CONFIDE*

'CE.

golden

haze

in

the The

air ; he broad
over

supposed
sidewalk
of

it

was

the
Fifth

Indian Avenue and stick the

to

summer.

the
"

was

scattered and

with He rustled him him

dry
tossed and
of

leaves them

crimson with his with he used pave

orange
as

amber.

he

passed ; they

murmured the way

same

motion, and
kick them

it reminded of

in front

over

these
was a

ments

in his riotous

infancy.
find

It

after pleasure, land his

many

wanderings, to
Bernard
to

himself

in his native he

again,and

Longueville,as mother-city.
a

went,

paid

compliments

his

The

and brightness
a

gayety of the place seemed

son,

greetingto

returning
freshest,
of

and

he

felt

throb easiest

of affection and
most

for the

the

youngest, the

good-natured
at

great

capitals.
was

On

presenting
told that

himself

Gordon's the

door, Bernard
was

the master

of

house
the
;

not

at

home She
was

; he

went

in, however,

to

see

mistress. had She she had

was on

in
as

her

drawing-room,
had been

alone

she
out.

her him

bonnet,
a

if she

going

gave
was

joyous, demonstrative
very

little welcome; him.

evidently
it

glad
had

to
"

see

Bernard
and she

thought

possibleshe

improved,"
He

than certainly prettier that

seen

ever.

instantlyper
; it

ceived
to

she

was

still the

chatterbox her

remained
were

be

whether

quality of

discourse

finer.

"Well,
in the

Mr. did

Longueville," she
you

exclaimed, "where
and how

world

drop from,

long

did it

172

CONFIDENCE.

good
look you.
"

many
at
me

things before
that way
to

Gordon.
I

What
meant

did
to

you ask

for ?

always

I For
"

was

dying

know."
reason

the

simplest
you

in
so

the

world," said

Ber

nard.
"

Because
no,

were

pretty."
I
"

Ah

it

was

n't that !

know
as

all about knew

can

that
some

look.

It

was

something
me.

else

if you

thing
known.

about

I don't
was

know

what

you

have
me,
was

There

very

little to

know

about

except

that

was

I intensely silly. .Really,

summer
was.

that awfully silly believe

could
me.

at

Baden I

"

you
see

wouldn't how you

to out

how have

sillyI
known
out

But
"

don't you

that in my

before

had
"

spoken
it
came

It

came

conversation
a

awfully. My
in Mrs. from
was

mother

was

good
had Mrs. you in

deal

disappointed
so

Vivian's
But it

influence
was

; she

expected
Vivian's
seen

much

it.
some

not

poor

it fault,

one's else.

Have

ever

the
;

Vivi

ans

again ?
to

They

are

always
That

Europe
when

they
you that

have
came

gone
up

live in Paris.

evening
never

and

spoke
afterward

to

Gordon, I
I should did
me

thought
to

three
I

years don't
meant

be either.

married Is

him, and
what
can

suppose

you

that you

you

by looking at
I wish
can

Perhaps
tell my

tell the
!
"

future.
"

you

would

future

Oh, I
What

tell that

said easily,"
to
me

Bernard.

"

will

happen

"

"

Nothing particular ;

it will be

little dull

"

the

CONFIDENCE.

173 married
to

perfect happiness
the
"

of

charming

woman

best

fellow what
a

in the

world." future
"

Ah,

horrid
cry.

"

cried
to

Blanche,

with I

little

petulant

I be

want

be If

happy,
you say

but

certainly don't again

best you

want
me

to

dull.

that
the but I

will make in the

not to

repent of having married

I
mean

fellow

world. be dull

to
can

be

happy,
it."
"

certainlyshall
"

if I

help

was

wrong

say that," said young

so

Bernard,
must
as

because,
an ex

after

all, my
in

dear

lady, there
kind is
a

be you of
"

citement

having

husband

have

got.
new

Gordon's
form in the
"

devotion
of

quite capable
a new

taking a
every

inventing

kindness

day

year."
looked
at

Blanche her
"

him
of

an

instant, with

less than
pose.

usual

consciousness husband is very

her

momentary
she said

My

kind,"
the

gently.
when

She
came

had in.
at

hardly spoken
He

words
on

Gordon

stopped

moment

seeing Bernard,
with
a

glanced
frank both nard

his wife, blushed, flushed, and

of
was so

loud,

exclamation

pleasure, grasped his long

a

friend
seen

by
Ber

hands.
that

It

since

he

had

he

seemed

good deal moved

; he

stood in the

there
eyes,
on

smiling, claspinghis hands, looking him

unable
for
some

moments

to

speak.
was

Bernard,

his side,was
to

greatlypleased ;
Gordon's grasp. honest And

it

to delightful

him
return

look

into

face

again

and
"

to

his

manly

he

looked

well

he

174 looked

CONFIDENCE.

happy
these

; to

see

that

was

more

delightful yet.
they exchanged
a

During
silent

few of

instants, while

pledge

renewed

Bernard's friendship,

elastic
the
con

perception embraced
sciousness looked and
as more

several

things
He he

besides
saw

of

his

own

pleasure.
but that

that

Gordon

well

and

happy,

looked

older,too,
He
as,

serious, more
had

marked

by life.
to
a

looked
in in for

if

something
had. that of

happened
saw

him

"

fact,
his
an

something
friend's eye

Bernard seemed
"

latent

spark
own

to to

question his question

He
saw,

impression
yet
fact beside into
to

Blanche

it
too

and eagerly,
"

deprecate judgment.
more

with

the
there it

made her

vivid his that of

a

by

Gordon's

standing

in
"

manly
Blanche

sincerity and
was

throwing
little pos

contrast

the

same

turing coquette
would

Blanche
as a

whom,
broad

at

Baden,
Gordon in

he

have

treated
dream
was

it

joke

that

Wright

should
it

of

marrying.

He

saw,

word, that

what

it had union. in the the

first struck All

course

him
a

as

being

"

an

incongruous
to
see

this of

was

good
min of
at

deal for ute,

a

Bernard

half

especiallythrough

rather
; and

opaque his
so

medium

feeling of irreflective joy

have
to
a

impressions
far
as

this moment

value

only

in

they

were

destined
"

be

confirmed
come
"

by largeropportunity.
sooner

You

have
;

little
are

than
more

we

expected,"
welcome."
"

said Gordon
"

but
a

you

all the

It

was

rather

risk," Blanche

observed.

One

CONFIDENCE.

175
wishes
to make
a

should

be notified,when

one

good

impression."
"

Ah,

my

dear
"

lady," said
as

Bernard,
am

"

you
"

made
a

your time

impression
ago, and

far

as

concerned it would

long

I doubt

whether

have
an

gained
effect."
the
to

anything to-day by They

were

your

having prepared
before

standing

the
while

on fire-place,

and great hearth-rug,

Blanche,

she

listened
for
a

this
that
"

speech, was
had She

with feeling, her

upliftedarm,

curl

strayed from
prepares her

chignon.
quickly,"said
Gor follow' each

effects very
"

don, laughing gently.

fast ! " Blanche
was

They

other very

kept her

hand

behind
;

her
bare her

head,
arm

which

bent her

slightly forward

her with

emerged glancing
smiled
at
on

from

hanging sleeve,and,
from under

eyes she

upward
her
two

her

lowered
husband

brows,
laid

spectators. Her
arm.

his hand

Bernard's
"

Is n't she of

pretty

"

he cried ; and
sure

he
at

spoke

with

sort

tender

delight in being

least of this

point.
"

Tremendously
so

pretty

"

said you

Bernard.
came

"

told

her
"

half

an

hour time

before
I

in."
!
"

Ah, it

was

should

arrive

Gordon

ex

claimed.
Blanche
was

manifestly not
discussion

in of

the
her

least discom

posed by

tliis frank

charms, for the

176 air of

CONFIDENCE.

esteem distinguished

adopted by both crudity of

of irritated

of her

companions
But
was

diminished
a

the

their remarks.

she
more

gave

little pout than if

modesty
had talk done her

"

it

becoming
declared
very that

anything
wished she
room.

she
to

yet
over,

"

and

they
; but

they

were

welcome
out

should

prefertheir

waiting till she got reminding Bernard

and

of the he
was

So she left them, for his

that

to send

luggage
orders

remain, and

promising

to

give

immediate Bernard him back

a

for the the door nod with

was as

preparationof
for her
to

his apartment.
out ;

opened charming

pass

she gave

he stood

there, and

he turned smile
was

to

Gordon Gordon

the

reflection of her
him her.
to ;

in his

face.
to know

watching thought
of

Gordon
It
was

dying
curious
one

what
of

he

mania

Gor
the

don's, this wanting

women

know

what

thought of
now

he

loved
to

; but

Bernard
He
was

just
so

felt abun

dantly able
him
"

humor

it.

pleasedat seeing
said,with

tightlymarried.
She
's
a

creature," Bernard delightful

cordial vagueness,
Gordon

shaking
him

hands
a

with

his friend and of

again.

glanced at

moment,
out

then, color
window
were

ing

little,looked

straight
remembered
at

the

whereupon Bernard
the
terms

that

these

just

in

which,

Baden, after his

to

companion's
Vivian.
of

absence, he had
Gordon
was

attempted
"

qualifyAngela
\vras

conscious
his

he

conscious

the

oddity

of

situation.

CONFIDENCE.

177

"

Of

course

it

in surprised you," he said,

of the window. fellow
?
"

moment,

still looking out

"

What,

my

dear

"

My

marriage."
you I of

V' Well, prisesme.

All
sorts

know," said
am

Bernard, "everythingsur
habit conjectural my of mind.

of

very

ideas

come

into I
am

head, and

yet when
startled.
up

the

simplestthingshappen
a

always rather

I live in

and reverie,

am

waked perpetually

by

people doing things."

Gordon
Bernard's
"

transferred
face
are
"

his eyes
whole

from person.

the

window

to

to

his up
?

You

waked

But

you

fall

asleep again!

"

"

I fall

asleepvery
looked
at

said easily,"
him from

Bernard.
to

Gordon
and
"

head

foot,smiling

shaking
You
are

his head.
not

changed," he
lands;
;

said.

"

You I

have sup
same

travelled

in

unknown

you

have
you

had,
are

pose, all sorts

man
"

of adventures
to

but

the

I used I
am

know."
for that !
same
"

sorry

"

You

have the

way

of

representing
"

of mis

representing, yourself."
"

Well,

if I

am

not
so

changed,"said Bernard,
an

"

can

ill afford to lose

"

valuable

art."
am

Taking

you

I altogether,

glad
"

you

are

the
must

same," Gordon
come

answered,

simply ;

but

you

into my

part of the house."

12

XVII.

YES, he
so

was

conscious

"

lie

was

very
or

conscious
first

Bernard

reflected

during

the two

three

days
seem

of his visit to his

friend.
a

Gordon critic of
"

knew that
a

it must
man

strange
once

to

so

irreverent

who

had
"

aspired to
other

the

hand

so

a girl intelligent

putting
as

things aside
in
"

as

Angela

Vivian

should,
"

the Ghost
young

Hamlet
in

"

says, have of

"declined

upon
so

lady who,
Miss ill at

force

understanding, was
this
a

very

much
him

Vivian's
his
ease

inferior ; and
and gave him

knowledge
piti

kept
able
grew tions
/
1

certain the

awkwardness.

Bernard's acute;
it to
;

sense

of

anomaly
observa
was

rapidly
which

less

he
seem

made

various

helped

natural. very

Blanche

wonderfully pretty amusing.

little goose, discernment. Since he had
It

she

was

innocent, graceful,
to

Gordon

had

determined
animal

marry
extreme
a

chosen had

the
the

with of

quite
the

plumage
of

swan,
an ex

and

it

sailed

along

stream

life with He asked

traordinary lightnessof
indeed
as

motion.

himself

at times

whether
; he

Blanche
whether

were

really so silly
woman

she
so

seemed
as silly

doubted

any He

could

be

Blanche

seemed.

had

suspicion

180

CONFIDENCE.

Blanche
nard would had She
not
saw

had
no

an

affection
to
a

for him

now,

however

Ber

reason

doubt

that, and
creature

certainlyshe
indeed
if she

have been

been

very

Himsy

touched

by his inexhaustible

kindness.
if she

had

every him

conceivable
at most

indulgence, and
least she had

married

for his money,

got what

she wanted.

She

led

the
to

agreeablelife conceiv
high good-humor.
a

able, and
was

she

ought
to

be
a

in

It

impossible

have
and

prettierhouse,
laces for the

prettier
of go
to

more carriage, a

jewels

adornment
to

plump

little person.

It better

was

impossible
to
was

more

to give parties,
or

dinners,
Bernard

have
so

fewer

privations
struck with of

annoyances. all this his

to

much

that, advancing rapidly in the

ventured answered
to

intimacy
her

gracious hostess, he
her

call that

attention
was

blessings.
of
not

She

she

aware perfectly

them, and

there
to

was

no

pretty speech
Gordon.
"

she

was

prepared

make

about

know
want

what
to

you that

want

to

say," she
and

went

on

"

you

say

he

spoils me,
You

I don't

see

why

you you

should

hesitate. and you

generally say
n't be afraid I
am

every of
so me.

thing
He

want,

need

does n't be

spoil me,
but

simply

because
no

bad I every

I can't
was

spoiled;

that 's of
one

consequence.
"

spoiled ages

ago

; every

spoiled me always
fond

one

except Mrs. Vivian.

and I

was

of
to

having
get
it.

everything I want,

generallymanaged

CONFIDENCE.

181
mamma

I
was

always
a

Lad
of

lovely clothes
a

;
was

thought
duty, I
don't I

that
sup
was

kind

duty.
as a

If

it

pose very
now.

it counts

part of the
I know

spoiling. But
I have
;

much
Gordon
to

indulged,and
is him
a

everything
if I

perfect husband
a

I believe
no;e,

were

ask

for

present
me.

of his I think

he would
ask him im say be.

cut

it off and
a

give

it to

I will

for

small
him

piece
to

of it
an

some

day
or

; it will

rather I don't

prove he's

have

inch he's if you

two
as

less.

handsome

; but

just
are

good

as

he
of
a

can

Some
you with I
am

people

say

that

very

fond

person agree

always think
that
not at

them
I
am

handsome
very fond

; but

I don't

all.

of

Gordon,

and

yet

blinded
He

as regards his personal by affection,

appearance. And follow friend

man

's too think

lightfor
of

my

taste, and

too

red.
n't
a

because
that who I
ever

you
you
was are

people handsome,
them.
"

it does
to

fond

I used

have

awfully
"

handsome I
was

the

handsomest
of and

saw

and I 'm

perfectly conscious
of He would
me,

his defects.
I don't

But

not

conscious
any One

Gordon's,
's
so

believe

he

has

got

intensely
he that
me

kind done
wanted

; it 's
me an

quite pathetic. injury

make
up in for

think and

had he
an

marrying
it. it If he

to

has

done

injuryI
I
me
ever

have

n't discovered I

yet,and
not
as

I don't believe

shall.

shall certainly

long

as

he lets five
more.

order

all the

clothes
and

I want. I
mean

I have
to

ordered
two

dresses

this week,

order

182 When I told kissed

CONFIDENCE.

Gordon, what
me.

do

you

think
not

he did?

He

simply
don't about

Well, if that 's

he could
a

I expressive, He kisses
me

know

what

have

done. I

seventeen

times
a woman

clay.
tell any
as

suppose
one

it 's very often have her

seen

improper
husband
him I do know

for

to

how
to

kisses her ; but,

you you

happen
will

it,I don't
you
are

suppose
not
are

be

scandalized.
; I
am

easily scandalized
scandalized
you 's I
at
was

not

afraid many

of you. dresses
?

You

my

gettingso spoiled
"

Well, I told
it. That when

I
to

freelyacknowledge
tell Gordon
a
"

why

was

afraid I had

because I
was

was

married

such

lot of

tilings ;
a

supposed to
Gordon in my I You had

have

dresses

enough
them,

to last for
so

year.
no

But harm

n't to pay

for

there
a

was

lettinghim
am

feel that he he
can

has

wife.

If he

thinks

extravagant,
think

easilystop kissing me.

easy
never

don't

it would

be

to

stop ?

It 's very !"

well,then, for those

that have

begun

Bernard

had of

good
so

deal
as

of

conversation
was

with

Blanche,

which,

far
serve

she
as a

concerned, the
Gordon
; he

foregoingremarks
was

may

specimen.
of the

away

from

home

during

much he

day

had

chemical

in laboratory

which Bernard

was

greatlyinter
; it
was

ested, and
up with

which the

he

took

to

see

fitted of

latest

contrivances
was

for the

the
resort

pursuit
of

experimental science, and

young

needy
the

students,who

at enjoyed,

Gordon's

expense,

CONFIDENCE.

183

opportunity for pushing

did

their

researches.
and liberality

The
to

place
his in
a

great honor
but

to

Gordon's who

genuity ;
could
"

Blanche,

had
a

also

paid

it

visit,

never

speak
would I from

of it without

pretty little shudder.

there
very

Nothing
"

induce consider it with

me

to go

again,"she
fortunate
to

declared,
have

and

myself
iny

escaped
of

life.

It 's filled with and color go

all sorts
or

horrible
you I
an

that things,
turn
some

fizzle up dreadful

off,

that
at

make them. half

if you

look

expect

to

hear
to

great clap some

Gordon

day, and
home in

hour

afterward small
a

see

brought
up in
a

several

hundred I got that

was

pieces, put
little stain
young
to

dozen
middle the Did

little bottles.
of my

horrid

in the
men
"

dress
"

one

of the

young you
see

savants

so

good
who

as

drop
under
too at.

there. Gor

the young
I of

savants

work
were

don's there
can

orders ?
is n't
one

thought they
them
was

forlorn ; If you looked

if I had
me

you

would
one

look them
me

believe
me

it,there
took
no

n't

of

that than

at

they

more

notice

of

been
some

the

charwoman.

They might
the wife
"

have
of the

shown

attention, at least, as
is it that
name

proprietor.
some

What other

Gordon
say

's called
'

is n't there sounds

to

?
an

If you I

it proprietor,'
want

as

if for

he

kept

hotel.
an

certainlydon't

pass

the wife
self? He

of

hotel-keeper. What
have
some name.

does
I
as jus-t

he

call him

must

hate if he

telling kept
a

people he

's

chemist;

it sounds

184

CONFIDENCE.

shop.
land,
makes
man,
'

That and
me

's what formed

they
the if

call

the while
some

druggists in Eng
I
was

habit he
were

there.

It

feel

as

dreadful the
window

little and

with
'

big

green

bottles
He

in

night-bell painted
Well,
consents
one

outside.

doesn't

call himself

anything?
wonder
was

that's
to

exactly like
a name

Gordon! all.
When who he work said

I I

he

have

at

some telling

about

the young
savants

men

under
must

his
not
'

orders say that

"

the
"

young
not

"

I must

speak
know

of what
"

their work

ing
like

under
me

his orders.'
say
!

I don't his

he would

to

Under of

! inspiration

During
had

the

hours

Gordon's

absence, Bernard wife, whose

in whom he

with frequent colloquies

his friend's

prattle amused irresponsible

tried
to

him,

and

discover
a

some

faculty,some
of

which quality, Gordon's

was an

might
well

be

positive guarantee
often, of
an

future auditor
to

felicity. But
as

course,

Gordon

; I say

auditor, because
grown when
to
a

it seemed
a

Ber of

nard yore.
to
a

that

he had

be
man

less of finds

talker himself
to

than

Doubtless,

united
hold
one

garrulous wife, he
but

naturally learns
at

his
of her

tongue;
Blanche's husband sit

sometimes,

the
on

close

of

discursive

monologues,
how he
a

glancingat

just

to

see

took

it,and

seeing him

with silent, perfectly said

to

fixed, inexpressive smile,

Gordon
some

Bernard
son

himself

that with

found

the

les

of

attended listening

embarrassments.

CONFIDENCE.

185

Gordon,

as

the
but

years

went

by, was
in

growing

little

inscrutable;
was a

this, too,
The

certain

circumstances,

usual

tendency.

operations of the mind,

more

with and
at

deepening experience, became people were forty

than less apt to emit

complex,
reflections
earlier

immature in their

they
a

had

been

days.

Bernard
friend

felt
; he

great kindness yet had

so

in these
to

days

for his old

a

never

seemed

him

such

good

fellow, nor
of
to to

appealed

strongly to the
of

benevolence Gordon used

his

disposition. Sometimes,
; but

old,

irritate him

this

danger appeared completely

Bernard

have

passed
him
to his

away.

prolonged his
to
was

visit ; this of
was

it gave
manner

pleasure good
in

to

be

able

in testify

will.

Gordon

the kindest his

wife

hosts,

and

if gave

conversation, when

present, he
he had
at

precedence to
a

her of

superior powers, pleasantbachelorhappy

;

other times
his

good deal
seemed

talk

with of

guest.

He
and

very of

he had

plenty
tions.

occupation
season

plenty
on,

practicalinten enjoyed
American his

The He

went

and and

Bernard brilliant

life.

enjoyed
he

the

keen

I
as

winter, and
a

found

it very

pleasant to
own

be
"

treated
a

I
'

distinguished stranger
which
The

in his

land

situation

to

his

long

and

repeated absences
New
extreme
was

had
was

relegated profuse;

him.

hospitality of
of its

York
;

the charm its skies fessionless

daughters
Bernard that
we

the

radiance

of pr.

superb.
mortal

the

restless and

know,

wandering

in

life

186

CONFIDENCE.

from

one

vague
never

experiment

to

another, constantly
whom
no

and gratified had finality for

a as

to satisfied,

imperious

yet presented itself; and, nevertheless,

contrived and
to to

time

he

limit
a

his

horizon
hours flirt. become of old

to

the
pass

passing hour,
in the For

make of
a

good

many

drawing-room
Mrs.

demonstrative
flirt ; that had and known
two
or

Gordon

was

had

tol that

erably
Blanche

obvious. Evers of
a was

Bernard
one,

three
him
to

months' that
be

observation did not

his friend's

wife assured

she

judge

certain ethereal

coquetry

incon

sistent with
in
more fact,

the
or

conjugalcharacter.
less with
all men, but

Blanche
her

flirted,

opportunity
were

for
of

playing her harmless

course

batteries upon The

Bernard fellow

large. exceptionally
and fire,
some

poor

was

under perpetually should

to

it

was

inevitable
aim.

that he

reply with
all child's
was

precisionof

It seemed

him

play,and
to

it is certain

that when

his

back

turned

his pretty hostess

her. He had of
not
"

he
the

never

found
reason

himself

thinking of
that of she

least

to suppose

thought
was

him last

excessive
of

con

centration accused covered

mind But

the the

vice
was

which

he

her.

before
Gordon
own

winter

over,

he dis
talked

that Mrs. that his

Wright
name

was

being

about, and

was,

as

the newspapers

say, mentioned wife.

in connection

with

that of his friend's

;

The

discoverygreatlydisgusted him
must

Bernard

chronicler Longueville's

do

him

the

justiceto

188

CONFIDENCE.

of denying included, in scrupulouslyadjusted scales,

himself
never

the have

luxury
let
a

of

active

suspicion.
a

He

would in

half he

suspicion make
not

difference

his conduct, and would had

would

have belief. if he

dissimulated His had

; he

simply
been

have
a

resisted

hospitality reallybeen
had

without Bernard

flaw, and
of his

wishing
with

out

house, he Bernard,
a

behaved
fol It

admirable this train odious

to to

self-control. of him

however,
distance. could have

lowed
was

thought
to

very

short he

believe

that

have
in

appeared
vaded
even

Gordon,
in

however

to guiltlessly,

imagination
; not to

the

mystic

line

of the if
one

maritaj.monopoly
came

say

that, moreover,
as

to

that, he reallycared
as

about

much
on

for

poor

little Blanche

for the weather-cock hurried his

the

nearest

steeple.

He

simply
he told
on

for preparations he

de
to

parture, and

Blanche
the

that

should
He

have

bid her farewell

her
was

day. following
for

had

found She
not

in

the

drawing-room, waiting
to

dinner. had

expecting company
come

dine, and

Gordon

yet

down.
was

She
in
a

in sitting

the vague

glow
two

of the

fire-light,
feet

wonderful
on

blue
rug

dress, with
and

little blue
the

crossed
received

the

pointed

at

hearth. small

She

Bernard's

announcement
a

with deal
to

satisfac ridicule

tion, and
on

expended
a

great

of

familiar

his

projectof

journey

California. him
a

Then, sud
"

denly getting up

and

looking at

moment

CONFIDENCE.

189 said.
not

"

I know
I
am

why glad to

you

are

she going,"

"

hear

my

have explanations

been

lost."
"Your

explanations are
another said
are

all

nonsense.

You

are

going
"

for

reason."

Well,"
you

Bernard,
too

"

if you

insist upon

it,it 's

because
"

sharp
me.

with So she

me." much
was as

It 's because

of

that
to

is true."

Bernard she
most
were

wondered

what
to

going
to

say
to

"

if

going

be

silly enough
then,
and
was
as

allude stood

the

impudent
and

of

fictions ; blue that

she

open him in for

ing
the

closing her

fan

smiling at
the

he fire-light,
"

felt

she
of

sillyenough
talk
"

anything.
cause
"

It 's because You ?

all

it 's be Gordon."

of

Gordon. of him

needn't
I don't

be afraid

of

Afraid

know

what

you

mean,"

said Bernard, Blanche

"You about you
you
us
"

gravely.
a

gave

little laugh.
that
me.

have
about

discovered
you
care,

people
I must

are

talking
I wonder

and and

say

care.

I don't
as

if it 's because n't

of
care.

Gordon,
If

might

well know
I don't
see see

that he does

he
if I

does n't

care,

why
you

should
!
"

; and

don't,
"

don't pay
too

why

should
to

You
even

much

attention
it."

such

insipiddrivel

in

mentioning
if
"

"Well,
shouldn't

I
to

have you
or

the
to

credit
any
one

of

saying
"

what
see

else

I don't

190

CONFIDENCE.

why
does He

I n't does

should
care
"

n't
he
a

have
does

the
n't for

advantage
care

too.

Gordon do
or

what
!
"

say.

n't

care

pin

me

She
and

spoke brought
of

in
out

her

usual

rattling,rambling voice,
with
a

this

declaration

curious

absence
"

resentment.

You
see

talk what
to
"

about

advantage,"
it is to I will with
!
a

said you
to

Bernard. say that."

"

don't
"I

advantage
I must
came
"

want

That sudden

's the

advan

tage
of
care

"

This
;

out
more

sharpness
"

tone
a

she

spoke
for
me,

excitedly.
and
me

He
!

does I

n't

button

he for.

never

did
cares

don't
some

know

what else what

"

he he it is

married thinks
"

He

for

thing
know

of

something
it 's
a

else.
!
"

I don't

suppose

chemistry

These had them

"You

words

gave

Bernard

certain hand

shock,
to

but

he

his

in intelligencesufficiently energy. labor

"

contradict

with

under

monstrous

delusion," he
you
a

ex

claimed.
This
was

Your

husband

thinks
with

fascinating."
fine door

epithet,pronounced
in in. the He air

distinctness,

ringing
came

when
for

the
a

opened
from the

and Ber

Gordon

looked

moment

nard

to

his wife, and

"

then, approaching

latter, he

said, softly
"

Do

you

know

that

he

leaves

us

to-morrow

"

XVIII.

BERNARD when

left arrived
was

then there
unable

and he
to

went

to

California;

but
had

he
and that

asked
mention

himself

why
other

he

come,

any it. He
to

reason

than

he

had and had in these

announced
to

began
that

to

feel

restless

again,
which

drift

back

chronic his

chagrin long
in

accompanied
East. He

him

through

journey

the

succeeded,

however,
at

keeping
time,
interest

unreasonable he
strove to

feelings
occupy

bay
to

for

some

and in

himself, Bernard,
a

take
how

an

California!!
an

problems.
nor

ever,

was

neither
found

economist the of.

cattlewas

fancier,
not
a

and

he

that,
take

as

phrase
He

is, there
wandered

great
mired
while

deal the of

to

hold and
to

about,

ad
a

climate

the

big
and

peaches,
ended

thought going

going
In in this

Japan,
he of

by

to

Mexico.

way

passed

several
at

months,

and

justified, journey again,

York,
here sented
in

the

eyes the

other

people
At He had

least, his
he back
made
to

long
it New

across

Continent.

last
went

the

opposite
the
summer

sense.

where he

already
for the

begun,

and
pre

invented

solution

difficulty
and

by

life

to

culpably

unoccupied

ill-regu-

192 lated and The almost

a

CONFIDENCE.

man.

solution ashamed

was

not to

in the least
so

original,
and

am

mention

stale

conventional

device.
to

Bernard

simply
Such
as

hit upon
it was,

the how
of
a

plan
ever,

of he

returning

Europe.
with
an

carried it out
and mind of
was

audacityworthy
he and into

better made wife

cause,

sensiblyhappier since
to

had

up
were

his
out
as

it. but

Gordon Bernard

Wright
went

his
the of He

town,
as

country,

boldly

you take
a

to please,

inform of

them

his little project and

had
as

long
to

leave

them.

made
at

his arrangements

sail

immediately,and,
to

such
on

short notice
one

it

was

impossible

find had

good
en

quarters

of
on a

the

English vessels,he
steamer,
which
to

gaged
convey house

berth
him

French
On
was

would

to Havre.

going

down of of

Gordon's

in the

country, he
to know

conscious
had become

good
that
a

deal

of eagerness

what Blanche
it had

latent

irritation of which
men.

had

given
subsided

him
;

speci

Apparently
wreathed
roses.

quite
was

Blanche
a

was

in

smiles ; she

living in
no

bower
for

of

Bernard, indeed,
state

had

opportunity
found had
an

her investigating

of

mind, for he Blanche, who

several exalted in

people
standard

iu the

house, and
duties

of the life

of

hostess, was

occupied
of that whom

making
were

agreeableto
She

her

guests, most
in this way

gentlemen.
for

had

great
"

remedy

dissatisfaction

which do.

Bernard Bernard

lacked

something interesting to

felt

good

CONFIDENCE.

193

deal
to

of
whom earlier

genuine
he

sadness
to

in feel

taking
even

leave
more

of

Gordon,
than

contrived He him
"

kindly
that

in

days.
of

had

quite
he

forgotten
was

Gordon

was

jealous

which Gordon have showed been for

not,

as

Bernard
it

said.
and

Certainly, nothing
could

nothing
more

of

now,

friendly
man

than

their
never

parting.
boisterous,

Gordon,
seemed

also,
very

who He

was

contented.

was

fond Bernard

of

exercising
that house this he
was

hospitality,
just
of
now

and
in

he the

confessed
humor continued Bernard
for

to

having
to

his

full

people.
taste
;

Fortune

gratify coming

generous another
was none

for

just
his

as

was

away
comer

guest
other had
had

made
than

appearance.

The

new

the arrived

Honourable
in
to

Augustus
York,
the and

Lovelock,
who,
States.
as

who he

just long

New visit his

added,

desired
witnessed

United and

Bernard struck with

merely
the
a

arrival,

was

fact

that

as

he Blanche

presented

himself

it
"

seemed

quite

surprise

"

really stopped

chattering.

13

XIX.

HAVE

called

it
to

stale
to

expedient
Europe
;
"

on

Bernard
like the

Longueville's
most

part

"

go

again,
certain
of

commonplace
our

American stood
at

and

it is
out

that,
win
at

as

young
of his inn

man

and

looked
hour did He after
not

the arrival him

dow that

Havre,
adventure freshness.
not

an

his strike

sea-port,
any
;

his

as

having
intentions He had had

great
he the had

had

no

plans

nor

even

any
come

very back he

definite
to

desires. and his

felt

impulse
it ; but
to
now

to

Europe,
arrived,
say
to

he

obeyed
seemed

that little

had
to

impulse
He

have

more

him.

perceived
a

it, indeed

"

mentally
upon

in
"

the

attitude
with that

of

small

street-boy
which

playing
is fraud.

his
to

nose

vulgar
elation wall much
summer

gesture
of

supposed
There

represent
a

the blank
and of the

successful his

was

large

before

window,

painted
weather;
upon it

dirty yellow
a

discolored

by
rested its

the

broad

patch
out

sunlight vulgarity
at

and

brought
Bernard

full while

of blank

complexion.
wall,
of which

stared

this

struck

him

in

some

degree
pect.

as

symbol

his
he

own

present
away,

moral
with

pros the

Then

suddenly

turned

196

CONFIDENCE.

picturesquenesswhich
taste.

commended
a

it to

Bernard's
of
nature

There

was

evidently

great deal
embodied

about

it,and

at

this moment,

nature,
blue and

in the in the had

an

clear, gay
daisied air of

sunshine, in the
of the

quiet sea,

grass

high-shouldereddowns,
to

observer inviting the intelligent

postpone
Bernard
to

his

difficulties. the
name

Blanquais-les-Galets,as
of this
a

learned
was

unfashionable

resort

be,

twenty

miles

from of

railway,and

the

place wore
Bernard

an

expression
at
an

unaffected
for his

rusticity.

stopped
then,

inn

noonday

breakfast, and
the
no

with

his

appreciationquickened by
to

homely
further.

of this repast, determined felicity

go

He and

engaged
gave

room

at

the the

inn, dismissed

his of

vehicle,
French

himself
manners.

up

to

contemplation
to chiefly

sea-side
upon the
a

These strand

were

be the

observed
front of its

pebbly

which
as

lay along

villageand

served

the in

of gathering-point

idler inhabitants.

Bathing

the

sea

was

the

chief it

as occupation of these good people,including,

did,

prolonged spectatorship of
conversation
upon its
to

the

process The

and

infinite
of of

mysteries.
form
a

little world

Blanquais appeared
all

large family party,

sat

which highly developed amphibious habits,

gossip

ing

day
into any very

upon the
sea

the

warm

pebbles, occasionally drying

itself in

dipping
without this
was

and of
to

the

sun,

relaxation

personal intimacy.
in the

All

amusing

Bernard, who

course

CONFIDENCE.

197 the
when it
rest.
one

of
was,

the

day

took

bath

with

The took one's

ocean

after
one

all,very
seemed dressed the

large,and
to

one's self.

plunge
When

have

quite

to

he had
on

himself

again,Bernard

stretched
he had

himself
done The
come

beach, feeling happier than

and

in

long time,
him

pulled his
was an

hat odd

over

his eyes.
; it ;

feeling of happiness
over

one

had

suddenly, without
our

visible
most

cause

but,
he

such

as

it was,

hero
to

made

the
;

of

it.

As

lay

there

it seemed in the

deepen
had

his

immersion
him
a an

and
agree

his exercise able which self above of the

salt water

given
became

languor.
was

This less

presently

drowsiness
felt him in and the air

not

and agreeable, There

were

Bernard sounds

going

to
"

sleep.

his head

sounds

of the
as

crunching
his

rattling
moved
ex

loose, smooth
on

stones

neighbors
French

about

them

; of

high-pitched
; of the

voices

cries changing colloquial

in

plash

of the bathers

the
waves.

distant

water, and
these

the

short, soft breaking of

to

the

But and

things came
at

his

ears

more

vaguely
Bernard slumber
cumbent
noons.

remotely, and
half
an

last

they

faded

away.

enjoyed
which

hour

of that

light and
people August

easy
in
re

is

apt
in

to

overtake
open it
an

idle
on

attitudes
It

the
with
not

air

after
of

brought
was

exquisite sense
the
fact Dreams

rest, and
was

the rest

spoiled by
dream. the

that it
are

animated

by

charming
one

vague

things, and

this

had

defects

of

its

198 but
a

CONFIDENCE.

species; image
known,
in the up of

it

was

somehow

concerned
Bernard

with

the

young who
"

lady
had

whom beautiful

had

formerly
which He
"

and
dream

eyes, into

he found

himself

looking.
the
crown

waked

to find

himself been

looking into
resting on
half

of his of

hat,

which He

had

the

bridge

his

nose.

removed and

it,and

raised himself, restingon

another

his

elbow
a

preparing to taste, in
of that

of position,

little more

exquisite rest
The world the

of which him of

mention
was

has

just been
and

made.

about
chatter

still
com

amusing

charming;
in

his

panions, losing itself

the

large

sea-presence,

the
of

plash
the

of the

divers the

and

swimmers,

the

deep blue
had cliff,

ocean

and

silverywhite
to

of the

that

strikingair
had
in
same

of indifference

the fact that

we are

his mind
to

been mundane

absent

from

them

which

apt
a

find

things on
were

emerging
him

from
on

nap. beach He
not

The
"

people
same,

near sitting

the

the

and

yet

not

quite the
whom
was

same.

found noticed
a

himself before
"

noticinga
a

person

he

had seated

young

lady, who
dozen

in

low
eyes

portable chair,some
bent
upon
a

with yards off,

was

her
;

book.

Her
an

head

in shade for her

her

large
per peru

parasolmade, indeed,
son,

awning
in the

whole
of

which

in this way,
to

quiet attitude
from the

sal, seemed
murmur

abstract

itself

glare and
of her upon
um

of the beach.
"

The

clear shadow

brella

it

was

lined with

blue

"

was

deep

her

CONFIDENCE.

199

face ; but
from

it

was

not
a

deep enough
that profile
an

to

prevent Bernard
knew. He
sud vis

recognizing
sat

he

denly
ion. In
a

upright,with
he he
across

intensely quickened
still,or
he
was

Was
moment

dreaming
felt that the

had

he

waked?
; he

acutely awake
the
page of

heard book.
with

her,
For

interval,turn

her

singleinstant,as
at the

she did so, she

;

looked

level brows
eyes,

ocean glittering on

then, lower
In this
;

ing her
it
was

she went

with

her

reading. Angela

barely perceptiblemovement
was

he he

saw

Vivian

wonderful

how

well

remembered
she

her.
was

She
much

evidentlyreading very
in her for her

seriously ;
She
but
was

interested looked
in

book.

alone
Vivian

Bernard
was

about

mother,

Mrs.

not
aware

sight. By this time

was

Bernard

had

become
of
a

that he
ments

agitated ;
had

the

exquisiterest
His minutes had done

few

mo

before
as

passed away.
; in
a

agitationstruck
he made her
in
an

him
mind
"

unreasonable

few

up

his

that it

was

absurd.

Ho

injury
French
"

yes ; but
"

as

she sat there could

out
see

losingherself
it
was a

a-

novel

Bernard
not

French
the
worse

novel

he could
It had

make

that she

was

for it.
was

not

affected her appearance

Miss

Vivian would wished

to

still a handsome
look toward
at

\Bernard girl.
him
or

hoped she
him
;

not to

recognize
to

he

look

her at his ease;

'

think

it over;

make

up

his mind.

The

idea

of

meeting Angela thoughts;

I may,

Vivian

again

had

often

come

into his

indeed, say

200

CONFIDENCE.

that it

was

tolerablyfamiliar

presence

there ; but
all

the fact, nevertheless, now

the violence of He
an

presented
for

itself with

accident had often

which

he

was

totally
what he

unprepared.
should
how he say
to

asked should

himself carry young

at

her, how

he

himself, and

should

probably

find

the

lady; but,
the
moment

with
have

whatever answered

ingenuity he might
these

questions,his

at intelligence
was a

present felt decidedly overtaxed.

pretty girl to whom
the final attitude

She
a

very
was

he had
into

done

wrong
a

; this

which,

with

good deal
had

of

and wavering, she preliminaryshifting

his from

settled in

recollection.
certain

The

wrong
view

was

doubtless, right,
the
its
own girl's

pointsof
an

; but

from

it could inflicted been

on

only seem by
a

injuryto which
man

having
she
a

been

clever young

with

whom

had touch

agreeableterms, necessarilyadded
disadvantage that
man,
an

of baseness.
In every of
man,
a a woman

suffers at
what When the
concerns

the

hands
the
"

there element
mean

is

in inevitably,

of that

cowardice.
this is what

I
woman

say

I inevitably," in it. Vivian bad

an

sees

This
saw

is in

what the of

Bernard fact he At that had

believed

that his her said

or

Angela
friend
a

by giving prevented
had

account

her

making
to

opulent marriage.
that, whether
had he had

first he held his

himself
she

tongue
; but

spoken,

already lost

her

chance

with

CONFIDENCE.

201 had

time,somehow, this reflection

scale.
It

lost its weight in the

to

conveyed
"

little become

re-assurance

his irritated
and it

conscience
tinent. failed to
sat

it had the
moment

imponderable
I

imper entirely
as

At

of which

speak
sake who

even present itself,

for form's

; and

he
to

looking at
out

this

superiorcreature

came

back
of

him

of
as

an

episode of

his past, he

thought

her

simply
had
a

an

unprotected woman
It is not
an

toward

whom

he

been

indelicate.
man

agreeablething for
have
to

delicate

like himself
what bore she

Bernard
to

to Lorigueville
an

accommodate nevertheless
do. If

such

accident, but
that
must

this is

it seemed him had

a

needful he
a

he

should
it

she
; if

grudge
him

think he
must

natural
allow

vowed
of it.

hatred done
better

her the comfort

He
it

had
no

the
for

only
her.

but thing possible, He

that her.

made
The
not to

had

wronged
as

circumstances

mattered
to

nothing,and
only
He had

he could

make

it np
out

her, the
way.

reasonable

thing
into
out

was

keep
now,

of her

stepped
to

her

path
If

and

the

proper her
no

was tiling

step
him

of it.

it could

give

pleasure to
no

see

again,it
He
as mere

could
seen

do certainly her

him

good

to

see

her.
as

had

by

this
as

time

pretty well

"

far

seeing went,
worse

and

yet,
his

he apparently,

was

none

the

for

that ; but

hope
now

that

he

should
acute.

himself
It him is

escape

unperccived had
that
turn

become
not

singular

this his

hope
back

should

have

led

instantlyto

202

CONFIDENCE.

and
dent
more

move

away is

; but

the that He

explanation
he
was

of
to to

his
see

impru
a

delay

simply
Vivian.

wished unable

little
him

of Miss

bring
he

self to the have

taste

point.
to

Those

clever
faded

thingsthat
The

might

said
was

her

quite
himself

away.

only good

to take

and spare off,

her the trouble

not

of

inventing

civilities

that

she from

could
moment

feel.
to

And

yet he continued

to sit there

moment,
of her

arrested, detained, fascinated, by the

not

accident let him

looking
so

round She

"

of

her

having
still. her she blue
He

watch

her
and

long.

turned

another her

page,

and
was

another,
so near

her that

readingabsorbed
he
his

her

could

have

touched
At
on

dress
raised

with her

the eyes

point of
and

umbrella.
a

last the

rested

them

while
as

horizon, straight
aside.

in front of her, but

yet without

turning them
her

This, however, augmented the danger of

and

doing so,
to

Bernard,
The either

with

good

deal of

an

effort, rose
movement

his

feet.

doubtless, kept the effort,

as

from

being
and She

lightor

as

swift
his

as

it

might

have

been,

it

vaguely
her

attracted
head and

neighbor's attention.
at

turned

glanced
but
was

him,

with him and

glance that evidently expected

pass.
It touched then it

to

touch
on

him, and

it

the

point

of

passing;

suddenly
She

checked
at

itself; she
him,
her
now

had

recognized him. open-eyed, out

Bernard stood
of

looked shadow

straightand parasol,and
"

the
"

of

there

motionless

receiving

204

CONFIDENCE.

along one
laid here
self to gone nard's her
"

of the and

little
across

pathways
the

of

planks
Before
came

that

were

there

beach, and directed

she
over

her had Ber

to

the
two

nearest

flightof steps.
a

paces

complete change only

to
row

feeling;
to
was

his
"

wish

now

was

to

speak
go

explain
another
;

tell

her

he

would
a

away.

There

of steps jat

short and Vivian

distance

behind

him

he

rapidly ascended
of the

them
Miss

reached
stood

the little terrace

there way
a

Casino.

; to

she
turn.

was

apparently hesitating again

Bernard and he
a came

which

straightup
The

to

her, with
is
a

gallantsmile
one,

greeting.
he
was

comparison
bull

coarse

but

felt that
Vivian

taking the

by

the horns.
"

Angela
did n't

stood

watching him
he

arrive.
your

You

recognize me,"
made
she said
me
"

said,
me

"

and

not

recognizingme
For
"

made

hesitate." then
to
"

moment
are more

nothing,and
than
you

You

timid

used

be !

"

she

answered.

He

could
to

hardly have
find in

said

what

expression he

had

expected

her

face ; his

apprehension had,

not painted her obtrusively perhaps, pale and haughty,

cold aggressively

and

stern

; but

it had

figured some
Miss

thing
Vivian

different
was

from

the

look
"

he

encountered.
was

simply blushing
he
saw

that

what

Bernard
been it

mainly perceived ;
extreme
"

that

her

surprisehad

complete.
the
idea

Her
of

blush

was

re-assuring ;

contradicted

impatient resentment,

and

CONFIDENCE.

205
in

Bernard

took

some

satisfaction

notingthat
to to

it

was

prolonged.
"

Yes, I

am

more

timid

than

I used

be," lie said.

look at him
that
"

In very

spiteof

her

blush, she continued

she had

directly ;
met

but

always
Bernard
had

done
now

she

always
found in
"

one's

eye ; and that he

instantly
before

all the pure,

beauty
unevasive know

ever

found

her

glance.
I
am more

I don't
"

whether

brave," she
rec instantly

said ;

but

I must

tell the

truth

"

ognized you."
"

You I

gave

no

sign !"
I gave
a one striking
"

"

supposed
"

in

gettingup
timid
as

and
"

going away."
Ah
!

said and

Bernard,

"

as

I say, I
to

am

more

than
a

I was,

I did n't venture

that interpret

sign of recognition."
"

It Not
a

was

sign of surprise."
"

"

of

pleasure!

said Bernard.
from the

He

felt this to
view of taste it be

be

venturesome,
a

and

pointof
; but

perhaps
cause

remark reprehensible,
now

he made

he

was

feelinghis ground, and gravely than

to
me

it seemed

better to make
"

it

with
never

assumed

jocosity.
of

Great

are surprises

An pleasures," of

gela answered;
kind. The
over

"I

am

not

fond

shocks

any
riot

pleasure is
my known

another

matter.

I have

yet got
"

surprise."
you
were

If I

had
to you

here,

would

have

written

beforehand," said Bernard, laughing.

206 Miss little

"

CONFIDENCE.

Vivian, beneath
of her

her

expanded parasol, gave

shrug

shoulders. have been

?
a

Even You.
?
"

that
mean

would
a

surprise."
you suppose I
was

"

shock, eh

Did

dead

Now,

at

she last,

lowered

her

eyes, and

her blush

slowly die"p. away.

"

I knew Of
course

nothing about
you
was

it." n't

"

could

know,
you
"

and

we

are

all
"

mortal.

It
on

natural your

that head

should
to

n't expect
me

simply
the

turning
at

find

lying
were

on

pebbles

Blariquais-les-Galets. You
me,
as

great surprise to
"

well ; but

differ from

you

I like
"

surprises."
to refreshing

It is rather the

hear

that

one

is

sur

prise,"said
"

girl.
in

Especially when
exclaimed.
don't I
am

that

capacityone
such
over

is liked ! "

Bernard
"

say
now

that

"

because

sensations mine."
him
at
as

pass

away. The

beginning to get
of

lightmockery
of
an

her
air.

tone

struck

the
mo

echo

unforgotteu
then
not

He

looked

her

ment,
"

and
are

he

said

"

You I
am

changed
for that ! you
"

; I find you

quite the same."

away.

"

sorry
are
"

And
"

she turned asked.

"

"

What

doing ?

he

Where

are

you

going ?

She

looked

about

her, without

answering, up

and

CONFIDENCE.

207 Casino
at

down
was a

the
much

little terrace.
more

The

Blanquais
than
a

modest
at

place

of reunion It
was

the

Conversation-house
low but front
structure

Baden-Baden.

small,

of four
narrow

brightly painted wood, containing

rooms,

three with

or

and

furnished

all

along

its
a

covered the
was

which gallery, moods rude

was

offered

delusive fresh
"

shelter

from It

rougher
somewhat the
season

of the and low

"

fine,

weather.

shabby
but
was

the
a

subscription for

it

had
a

simple picturesqueness.
convenient of the
ocean

Its

little terrace

very

place
and broad

for of

stroll,and
marble-white
of the for

the

great
crags

view

the

that
was

formed
a

the

gate-way

shallow

bay,
of the
;

sufficient There
a

compensation
were a

the

absence

luxuries. and gallery, but

most

few

people sitting in
upon

few

others

scattered

the
were,
or

terrace

the

pleasure-seekersof Blanquais
in the salt
water

for

the

part, immersed
on

dissemi

nated
"

the

grassy

downs.
my

I I

am

looking for
your

mother,"
is well."

said

Angela

Vivian.

"

hope

mother

"

Very well, thank May

I eyes upon She

you."
to

"

help

you

look their

" for her ?

Bernard
rested

asked.
a mo

Her
ment
"

paused
her

in

quest, and

companion.
here," she
said

is not

presently.

"

She

has

gone
"

home." What do you call home

?
"

Bernard

demanded.

208

CONFIDENCE.

"The

sort

of

place
that
we

that have

we

always
taken for

call

home;

bad

little

house

month."

"

Will

you 's

let

me

come

and

see

it

"

"

It

nothing
hesitated

to

see."

Bernard

moment.

"

Is

that

refusal

"

"

should

never

think

of

giving
fine
!
"

it
in

so

fine

name."

"

There
door.

would

be

nothing
think
that

forbidding
Bernard,

me

your rather

Don't

said

with

forced

laugh.
to

It

was

difficult

know

what

the

girl

thought;

but
"

she
We

said,
shall

in

moment
"

be

very

happy

to

see

you.

am

going

home."

"

May
It

walk
far

with
it

you 's

so

far

"

asked

Bernard. And Casino.

"

is

not

only
to

three
of

minutes." the

Angela

moved

slowly

the

gate

XX.

BERNARD

walked
was

beside
between
aware

her, and
them. of

for As

some

moments

nothing
tinued,
she him how him

said became leave

the

silence him had

con

he

it, and
unsaid.

it vexed She

that asked
nor

should
no

certain

things

question
he

neither
"

whence
nor

he
had
to

had

come,

long
since
was

would

stay,

what wished He

happened
see

to

they
intention
to

parted.
or

He

whether
com

this

accident. she
aware

was

already
no

plaining
him,
ulous
to

himself
was

that

expressed
that
to

interest
was a

in

and

he

perfectly
He he had
was come

this
to

ridic order
at

feeling.
her five that

speak
away,

her

in

tell of her.

going
he had

and leave
to

yet,
come

the and

end
see

minutes,
sudden

asked of

This

gyration
it
;

mind

was

grotesque,
he her

and

Bernard

knew

but,

nevertheless,
should
as

had

an

immense she would He she

of

expectation
manifest
tried
to
some

that, if he

give
to

time,
situ

curiosity
her
time
;

his

own

ation. but

give
to

he

held

his

tongue

continued

say

nothing.
two
or

They
three

passed

along

sort

winding
with
in old

lane, where
brown
sun,

fishermen's
on

cottages,
and

nets

suspended
open
to

the
on

walls the

drying

the

stood
14

the

road,

210 other browsed "It's much

to

CONFIDENCE.

side of which

was

patch
was

of

salt-looking grass,
fastidious.
we

by
so

donkey

that
we

not

long
to

since

parted, and
"

have

so

say he

each

other !

Bernard

exclaimed
with

at
a

last, and

accompanied
more

this

declaration
than

laugh
given
It that

much
a

spontaneous
before.

the

one

he had

few

moments

might
his

have

him, however, gratified

to

observe
for deal

companion

appeared they

to

see

no

ground
a

joking in
to
"

the idea that each

a

should

have

good

say

to

other.

Yes, it 's
weeks
at

long

time

since

we

spent those
"

pleas
been

ant

Baden," she rejoined.

"

Have

you

there
This

again ?
was a

and question,
was

though
with for

it

was

very

sim

ple one,
"

Bernard n't
?
"

charmed
back

it.
world
!
"

would you

go

the

he

said.

"

And

"Would

go

back?

Oh

yes;

thought
had

it

so

agreeable."
With

this he
of
not

was

less

pleased; he
and

expected
the little and
was

the traces

resentment,

he
But

was

actuallydisap
was

pointed at
house of

them. finding his

a

here
had

which

companion
bad

spoken,
That

it

seemed, indeed,
one

rather

one.

is, it
are

of

those

diminutive

structures
"

which

known
an

at

French

as watering-places are

chalets," and, with

season

exiguity of furniture,

let for the

to families

212 You
"

CONFIDENCE.

"

may Where

say

what you

you
come

please,"said Angela,
from
come, to

sim

ply.

did

"

now Interrogation,

it had
was

was

most

satisfac

tory, and
an
"

Bernard of the

glad

believe in his

that
answer.

there

was

element From You

unexpected

California."
came

"

from straight
at

California

to this

place?

"

"

I arrived

Havre you

only yesterday."
come

"And
"

why

did be I

here ?"
me

It would
'

gracefulof
knew
not

to

be

able

to

answer

"

Because

you know

were

here.'
was a

But
mere

unfor

tunately I
or

did

it.

It
was

chance

rather, I feel like saying it

an

inspiration."
We
one.

Angela looked
"

at

the

geraniums again.
said.
"

It

was

very in
so

singular," she
many
come

might
And

have you

been

places besides this

to
so

might

have

many

places besides

this

one."
"

It is all the I
saw

more

that singular,
was

one

of

the

last

persons

in America married
were

your

charming
She

friend did n't

Blanche,
tell
"

who

Gordon

Wright.

me

you had

here."
reason

She

no

to
"

know
as

it," said
are

the

girl.

"

She

is not

my

friend

you

her

husband's

friend."
"Ah have
"

no,

don't

suppose

that

But

she

might

heard She

from

you."
from
us.

does

n't hear

My

mother

used

to

CONFIDENCE.

213

write has she

to

her it
"

for

while She

after she left

Europe, but
and

she then

given
added

up."
"

paused
is too

moment,
"

Blanche

! silly

Bernard
his Of

noted
of
a

this, wondering
element spiteful
was

how in

it bore his

upon

theory
course

companion.
course,

Blanche

silly ; but, equally of

it
man was

this young Blanche's

lady'sperception of having
have married
a

quickened by
whom

rich

she her

self
"

might
Gordon

married.

does n't think looked very

at

so," Bernard
a

said.

Angela
"

him

moment.

am

glad to
"

hear

she rejoined, it," gently.

"

Yes, it is very
Is he He I
am

fortunate." the

"

well ?

girlasked.

"

Is he

happy

"

"

has

all the air of it."

"

very

glad
the
moment

to

hear

it," she
of the mother had

repeated.

And

then
At open

she the

moved
same

latch
her

gate and

passed in.
in

appeared

the

door-way. by

Mrs.

Vivian

apparently been
she Ber Then

summoned
with nard she
an

the sound

of her

daughter'scolloquy
when of
saw

unrecognized voice, and

gave
a

she stood

sharp
at

little cry

surprise.

gazing
the

him. the

Since Baden

dispersion of
not

little party at Badenmeditation had been

so

he

had

devoted

much who her

to

this
ten

conscientious

gentlewoman
to

derly

anxious

establish been

daughter properlyin
a

life ; but

there had

in his mind

tacit assump-

214

CONFIDENCE.

tion that if
trick Mrs.

Angela
He and

deemed view of he in the

so

that he

had

played
was

her
more

Vivian's

his conduct
must

not

charitable.

felt that that

have
as a

seemed

to

her

very

unkind,

far

well-regulated
of

conscience
she passions, The instant
rose

permitted
honored he
to

exercise with
on a

unpractical

him her

superiordetestation.
threshold this
con

beheld the

her his

viction made
"

surface
now, at

of

consciousness hour
met

and
come.

him

feel that

his least,
we

had
at

It is Mr.

Longueville,whom
to her

Baden,"

said

Angela

mother, gravely.
to

Mrs.

Vivian

began
the

smile, and

stepped

down

quicklytoward
"

gate. murmured,
strange
"
"

Ah,
"

Mr. it 's
so

Longueville," she pleasant

"

"

it 's

so

long
smile

it 's

so

And

suddenly
had
an

she

stopped, still smiling.

was

Her
a

odd

intensity; she
who
a was

trembling
for

and little,
scorn,

Bernard,

prepared
almost

hissing

perceivedwith

deep, an

violent, sur

an a touching agitation, prise,

"

eager
"

friendliness.
it 's very Vivian."
"

Yes, it 's very

long,"he

said ;

pleasant.

I have
"

only just arrived

you
are

; I met

Miss in ?

And

not

coming

asked

Angela's
Bernard.

mother, very
"

graciously.
has
not

Your

daughter
my

asked

me

!"

said

"

Ah,

dearest,"murmured

Mrs.

Vivian, looking

at the

girl. daughter
returned her

Her

glance,and

then

the

CONFIDENCE.

215

elder
at

lady paused again,and recognized

"

simply began
in her

to

smile
queer

Bernard, who

glance that

little intimation discernible

"

shy
a

and
to

cautious, yet perfectly

have she
more
a

of

desire
he

private under
termed
per

standing with
his better

what

felt that he

mentally
than
once

nature,

which

had

ceived
"

at

Baden-Baden. she
has
not

Ah

no,

asked

me," Bernard

repeated,
the

laughing gently.
Then

Angela
It

turned
fine

her

eyes
was

upon

him, and

expression of
able.

those

organs the

strikingly agree
of

had,

moreover,

merit
"

being easily in
don't
at all

terpreted ;
but
"

it said

very

plainly,
And

Please

insist,

leave
very

me

alone."

it said it not Bernard

sharply
him

gently and

pleadingly.
so

found

self with
"

understandingit
intelligence.
Don't used
you
to
come come

well

that

he

blushed literally

to to the

the

Casino
?
"

in the

evening,as
had she

you

Kursaal
at

he

asked.

Mrs.

Vivian

looked the

again

her the

daughter,who
cottage ; then

passed
said
"
"

into

door-way

of

We I

will go

this
for

evening."
you
we

"

shall

look

Bernard eagerly,"
used
a

rejoined.
!"

"

Auf
Mrs.

wiedersehen,as
Vivian waved
him

to say

at Baden
over

him
a

response from

the

gate,

her
and

daughter gave
he took his way

glance
to

the

threshold,

back

his inn.

216 He

CONFIDENCE.

awaited
he it. him
a

the
had The

evening with
made
a

great impatience ;
he

he fancied
to confirm

discovery,and
that
was

wished that
of with had for
an

discovery was
she

his

idea

she

bore

grudge,that
was

conscious
her mind

injury, that
wrong, had she

he

associated
a

in

all been had

morbid

illusion.

She
care,

given,

forgotten,she
cared
!

did n't

she

had

possibly never
now,

was This, at least, a

his

theory
it.

and old

he
sense

longed
of her

for

little
a

more

light upon
and talk
not

His

being
of

complex
hour of

intricate
with

girlhad, again
sure

in that

quarter

an

her,

become

lively,so

that

he

was

absolutely
his

his

apprehensions had things,he

she had
no

been had

vain.

But, with

quick
any

vision of

got the impression,at

resentment

rate, that

vulgar
upon

of

any

slighthe might have

tage he
such
a

put

her, or
Her

any

disadvan

might have
matter to
see

caused be
of

her.

about feeling

would
more

large and original.

that, and
he did
was

Bernard

desired

in
so.

the

evening, in

fact,it seemed
The
terrace

to

him the

that

of

Casino the

far

from

offering
of the

the
the

brilliant

spectacle of
at

promenade
It had

in front neither

gaming-rooms

Baden. the

liberal
nor

illumination,

distinguished frequenters,
formed
it had the
a

the
that of
sea

superior music
celebrated its took
own,

which
; but

the
modest

attraction anima the the

of

spot
in

tion open

which of

starlighton
lamps, and

the

place

clustered

fE.

217
function

mighty
of
an

resonance

of the Mrs.

waves

performed the
made
as

orchestra.

Vivian

her
he

appearance
to

with

her

daughter, and
a corner

Bernard,
to

used

do

at

Baden, chose
The crowd

place
most
one

some

chairs for them.

of

was

small, for
into

the visitors the rooms,

a

had

compressed themselves
a

of

where

shrill

operetta
Mrs.
at

was

being performed by
visit
was a

strolling
one

troupe.
remained

Vivian's

short
an

; she

the Casino
some

less than

half

hour.
sat

But beside with

Bernard
her
an
"

had
her

talk with
was on

Angela.

He

mother

the other

side,talking
had

old

French

lady whose
Between

acquaintance she
Bernard and

made several Ber

on

the beach.

Angela
went

things were
nard

said.
home door
to
one

When with of

his friends them.

their He

away

walked
at

bade

them
then
was

good slowly nearly

night

the

chalet, and
The
to terrace
to

strolled back

the Casino.
had gone

empty

; every

listen

the operetta,
came

the sound

of whose

contemporary gayety
in

through
quavers
;

the
and

open,

windows hot-looking The

ocean was

little thin

catches.
a

rumbling just beneath

Bernard stood look

it made

ruder

but richer
;

music.

ing at
beach. down

it a moment

then

he went
rather low

down
;

the

steps to the

The
to

tide line
and

was

he walked
waves.

slowly
The
sea

the

of

the

breaking

looked
vague
some

huge

black

and

simple ; everything
Bernard the stood sound

was

in the unassisted time

;

darkness.

there the

there

was

nothing

but

and

218

CONFIDENCE.

sharp,
heart
tion
;

fresh
it

smell.

Suddenly
very
last.

he

put
An

his

hand

to

his

was

beating
over

immense

convic

had
for

come

him
"

abruptly,
his breath.

then

and

there
"

and

moment

he

held

It

was

like

word

spoken
He

in

the
in

darkness
"

he

held

his

breath

to

listen. love

was

love

with

Angela
!

Vivian,
sat

and

his

was

throbbing
he stood

passion
it
"

He
him

down with

on

the

stones

where

filled

kind

of

awe.

220

CONFIDENCE.

knew
What that

by

its pressure this

that

it
a

was

the hand
was

of the it

destiny.
element

made
was

sensation with

shock fact

mixed and it

it ; the with
an

that

came

not

simply
which

but singly,

attendant

shadow It he
was

in

immediately merged
fruit it. He
"

and it

lost itself. the instant

forbidden touched
to
so

he

knew

had
not

felt that

he had
was

pledged gleaming

himself before
to

do

just this thing

"

which widen him

him open

divinely
that
were

not

to

the

crevice, not

the door
and
as

would
at

flood stake
;

with stood

light. Friendship
at

honor his

they
stood

his left his

hand,

new-born him

passion
as

already at
their

right;
had
a

they

claimed which
a

well, and
become

grasp

pressure soul is

might
more

acutely painful.

The

still

tender

organism

than

the

body,

and
to

it shrinks

from

the
"

prospect of being subjected

violence spiritual feared ; and
"

violence.
our

Violence
hero he

was

what
much into grew

luxurious
say that
as

it is not the
sea,

too

to

lingered there by
the

late

the

night, while
to

gurgitation of
came

the
to

waves

deeper
of

his ear, the prospect

The
two

have

an

element uation brutal

positiveterror.

faces
; it
was

of

his sit
a

stood

confronting each
Bernard of

other

rigid,
for of
a

and opposition, with

a

held

his breath
come

while
He very away
sat

the

wonder time had upon

no

what

would
; the

it.

long

the
sense

beach
of Casino

night grew
he
went
wan-

cold, but
and

he

it.

Then

passed

before

the

again,and

CONFIDENCE.

221 The

dered

through the village.

and the

Casino
was

was

shrouded
in the of the of

in darkness
streets sea,
a

silence,and
little town
of

there
but

nothing
smell

of vague

the the

salt

aroma

fish and

distant

sound

the of he

breakers.

Little

Bernard by little,

lost the
to

feeling
it was,

having
could

been
reason

and startled, about

an

began

perceive that

his odd

trouble.
name

Trouble

though
of
a

this

seems

for the the him with This

consciousness

bright enchantment;

and

first about

thing
the

that
mat

reason, ter
was

consulted, told definitely

that he these him with items had been in love

Augela

Vivian

any

time

three

years.

sapient faculty
two
or

supplied
three
to

further of had

information; only

of the

which, however,
been
a

it is necessary
"

reproduce. He
"

great

fool

au

incred

ible fool
was

not

to

have

discovered

before
sense

this what
of

the

matter
"

with

him!

Bernard's

his

own

shrewdness such
a

acute always tolerably

as

"

had

never

received
a

bruise

this present been

perception that
in his

great many
mind

things
without

had

taking place
mind
went

clever But what about

his clever
reason

suspecting them.
on

it little mattered, his he it

;

to

declare,
now

had

suspected

or

what
was

he
to

might
leave and This

i'eel

his present business

at

Blanquaisnever

les-Galets
his eyes

sunrise

the

next

morning again.

rest

upon

Angela
the merit

Vivian of

was

his and far

duty;

it had

plain being perfectly

unattended,
as

definite,easily apprehended, and

222 he could Not moral

never

CONFIDENCE.

as

discover, with

the

smallest
continued

material
to

diffi
;

culties. but He the had

"

only this, reason

difficulties breathed
a were

remark

equally inconsiderable.
of

word he

his

passion to
never

Miss

Vivian himself

quite the contrary;

nor

had

committed
to

given
flame

her

the he her

smallest

reason

suspect

his hidden
to turn

; and

was

therefore he could

perfectlyfree
never

his back of

upon

"

incur Bernard

the
was

reproach
in that

with trifling of mind saved the

her

affections. it is the
of to

state

when

greatest of bless
choice
"

ings

to

be

distress you and the

to

see

straight path only

to

before it.

feel

that

you I

have have

follow'

Upon
his eyes

straight path
hard
; of

indicated, he
would hour
on

fixed
his
morrow.

very
at

course

he

take the the

departure
There

the
was a

earliest
streak he

possible
of
morn

ing

in

eastern at

sky by
the

the of

time the

knocked

for
was

re-admittance

door
a

inn, which
old
woman

opened

to

him

by

mysterious

in

nightcap
failed
rest
"

and

meagre
;

accessories, whose
and tired
"

identity he
down
to

to

ascertain
was

he

laid with

himself his

he
as

very
on

attention

fast
"

ened,

I say,

the idea

"

on

the

very

image

of

departure.
On

waking

up

the

next

morning,
attached
was

rather itself to

late,he
a

found, however,
different

that

it had

very the

object.

His

vision

filled

with

which fact itself, brightnessof the delightful

seemed

CONFIDENCE.

223

to

impregnate the
fresh light,
from
a

sweet

morning
that He
came

air and

to flutter in

the

breeze
sea.

through
a

his

open of the

window
sea

the

saw

great patch
roofs ; it He but had had
was

between any
"

couple of
ever

red-tiled before.

bluer

than

sea

had three

been four The

not

slept quite
away

long

only

or

hours;
shadow

he

had

sleptoff
and which

his dread.
was

dropped
of

nothing
seemed He
El
not

left shine

but in

the the
"

beauty
freshness
as

his the

love,

to

of

early

day.
ered
was

felt

absurdly happy
;

if he

had

discov
"

Dorado

quite apart
of
"

from

consequences which of

he

thinking
affair had

consequences,
the

course

were

another
one

feelingwas
"

the intrinsically
a mere

finest

he
not

ever

had, and
it yet.

as

feeling"
of

he

had

done

with

The

consideration

consequences

could
be

easily
no

be

deferred, and
to

there
in

would, meanwhile,

injury
little
would it up

any

one

his

extracting, very
the state
for this view
a

quietly,a
He

subjectivejoy
let the
flower
roots.

from

of his heart. before

course

bloom

day

plucking
he
an was

by

the

Upon
and in

latter of

perfectlyresolved,
resolution than the

such

heroic
no more

subjective

interlude

appeared

his

just privilege.
nine his its

The

at project of leaving Blanquais-les-Galets

o'clock

in

the
no

morning
noise
an as

dropped
it fell ; but

lightly from
another
more

mind, making

took

place,which
and

had

air of of

being

still
on

excellent

which

consisted

off starting

long

walk

224 and

CONFIDENCE.

absenting
and of

himself

for the away

day.
; he

Bernard

grasped
the
on

his stick shoulder level

wandered the further

climbed

great
the

cliff and
was

found

himself

downs.
to

Here his The the

to

there

apparently no
far
as

obstacle should

whatever
carry him. and

walking
summer

as

his

fancy
a

was

still in
"

splendid
a

mood,
"

hot

and

quiet day
a

it

was

Sunday
on

seemed

constitute The
on sea

deep, silent glistened on

smile
one

the

face of the

nature.

side,and

crops

ripened
in in the

the

other

the

larks, losing
it
was

themselves
and sound there
save

dense

sunshine, made
spots
; this
now

ring here
the then
at

undiscoverable

only
in the

when

Bernard, pausing
himself

and

his walk, found base He half

some

hearing far drawling

miles

below

him,
of
a

of

the
a

the cliff,

murmur

wave.

walked
a

great
of

many rude of

and

passed through
in

dozen

those

fishing-hamlets, lodged
cliffs, so
the
a

sloping hollow
late
years, all

the

many

of

which,

of

along
with

Norman of

coast, have
hotels
so

adorned
row

themselves

couple
He walked

and

of

bathing-machines.
had of

far that

the

shadows himself had

begun

to

lengthen
the

before had

he
come

bethought
on

stopping ;
to

afternoon The here He

and

already begun
before but

wane.

grassy and

downs
there

still
with softest he

stretched shallow

him,

shaded dells.

windless

looked
on

for the

place and lay

there

then
for
a

flung himself

down

the
many

grass;

long time, thinking

of

things.

CONFIDENCE.

225 himself
a

He

had

determined
it
was

to

give

up

to

day's
kind
con

happiness ;
"

happiness of
of

very

harmless
mere

the

satisfaction
; but

thought,the
as

bliss of
not

sciousness
nor

such

it

was

it did the

elude

him

turn

bitter in his upon him

heart,and
his idea

long summer

day
per

closed

before the

hovering in spirit,
of what he
to ; the

petual circles begun again

same

round
its
too

might be,
rose

had

to

rest
was

wing.
late
to

When
return
come

to

his feet
in the
at

it way the

Blanquais

that

he

had

evening
the
not to

was

hand,
had

light was
was one

and alreadyfading,

walk

he

taken

which

even

if he had

felt very

tired,he would
to

have

thought it imprudent
He
was

attempt
to
a

repeat in the

darkness. he

made able
to

his way
hire

the

nearest

where village,

rustic

in which carriole,

primitive conveyance,
back

gaining the
hours
of

he jogged and jostled through the high-road,

the

evening slowly
an

to

his

It starting-point.

wanted
his

hour

of
was

midnight by

the time
him

he reached but to go

inn, and there

nothing left for

unshaken
the
to him

to bed.

He leave the

went

in

the

faith
morrow.

that
But

he

should

Blanquais early on
it occurred
to

early on
be
sim

morrow

that

it would leave

ply grotesque
Vivian
and

go

off without

taking
He
had

of Mrs.
some

her

daughter,and
delightedwas
15

offeringthem
he
find

explanationof
understand

his intention.
so

given them
to

to

that,

them

226

CONFIDENCE.

there, he would
as

remain
must

at

Blanquais at
to

least

as

long
in

they.

He

have
a

seemed

them

wanting
and

to civility,

spend

whole
head

bright Sunday
about

without if the
a

his apparentlytroubling

them,
the

unlucky
reason

fact of

his
his

being

in love

with

girlwere
a reason

for

doing
rude.

duty, it was
had
as an

at least not

for

being

He

not

yet

come

to

that
;

"

to

accepting rudeness
always
ners

incident virtue

of

virtue

.ithad
man

been

his

theory that
he

had

the best himself

in
that

the

world, and

flattered

at

any

rate

he could ridiculous.

without guard his integrity

making
proper his

himself

So,
of

at what

he

thought a

hour,

in

the

course

the

morning, he
him the

retraced
two to

steps along the

ago,

little lane

through which, portalhe

were

days
her
;

Angela

Vivian At

had

shown

way

mother's

door.
of

this humble

knocked
and

the windows white

as

the little chalet the

open,

the

behind curtains,
seen

were flower-pots,

fluttering
was

he had
a

them

before. who
and

The

door informed

opened
him very

by

neat

young
that
a

woman,

promptly Blanquais
to Paris
"

Madame

Mademoiselle earlier.

had
had

left
gone but

couple
yes, very

of houra

They

suddenly, taking with

them
had
ces

little honor
"

luggage,and
of

they

had
de

left her
chambre

"

she
of

the

being
up

the

femme

danies

to
soon

put
as

their

remaining possessionsand
Bernard's had
that

follow
sur

as

possible. On
saying
he

expressing
them

prise

and

supposed

to

be

228
to

CONFIDENCE.

interest
at

himself

in

this little narrative

with
:

will

per
con

haps

this of
to

point

exclaim

pardonable
he Of
went

sciousness
next

shrewdness Rue de

I" Of

course

the
yes ; kind.

day
as

the

Provence did

"

course,

only
He in

it
one

happens
of
"

Bernard

nothing of
him

the
ever

did his

the most

singular thingshe puzzled

which
drawn he
even

did the

life

thing

that
to

at

time, and
wondered remarkable

with whence
a

regard
he
"

often

afterward
so

had he

the
a

abilityfor

feat

simply spent
was a

fortnight at

Blanquais-les-Galets. It
he

very
no

quiet fortnight ;
he relations,
that
so was

spoke

to to

no

one,

he It

formed
may be

company
never

himself.

added
half

he

had

found himself
at

his
as

own

company

good.

He

struck

reasonable, delicate
such
a

fellow,who
him
re

looked
frain from Vivian.
"

things

in

way

as

to
was

make the

refrain

that successfully, himself that

point

"

concerning
His in the

about practically he

Angela
out

saying
Rue

would had
whom

find

the the

banker
benefit rather
ever

de de

Provence

been he

for

of the femme

chambre,
had

thought
what took of He

impertinent ; he
of

reallyno

intention

entering that
rambled among

classic
on

thoroughfare.
beach, along
brown the

long walks,
the

the

base

cliffs and
a

the
of

sea-caves,

and

he

thought

good deal
an

certain

incidents

which He

have had

at figured

earlier stage of this narrative. the future, as

an

forbidden

himself

object of

conteni-

CONFIDENCE.

229
matter

and plation,
that
warm

it

was

therefore

of

necessity
the
won

his

imagination should
familiar
Mrs.
was

take
of

refuge
the

among He

and

episodes
should
course

past.
left the
with

dered

why

Vivian of

have

place

so

suddenly, and
between Baden.
no means

struck

the

analogy
from it

this incident
It

and

her

abrupt departure
him,
but
on

annoyed him,
rekindled the

it troubled

by

alarm

he
on

had the

felt beach.

first That

perceivingthe
alarm had been that

injuredAngela
followed This
and

quenched by Angela'smanner

during
in

the hour the

during their
was

short talk
memo

evening.

evening

to

be

forever

rable,for

it had

brought with
suddenly
him

it the revelation

which
;

at moments, still,

made the

Bernard

tremble
that
a

but

it had
as

also

brought

assurance

Angela
chance is all

cared

little as

possiblefor anything that

have said about
one

acquaintancemight
the
he
more

her.

It

that therefore, singular, been

should It
at

evening, after
train

had

Blanquais

a fortnight,

of
in

thought
his mind. but and very

suddenly have
was

been
no

set in

motion
occurrence,

kindled

by

outward

by

some

wandering spark
effect of been it

of
was

fancy

or

of memory,
our

the immediate much

as

to startle
on

hero
I
;

he had
The down

startled

the

evening
the
same

have he
and

described. had
he

circumstances
to the at

were

wandered
stood

beach

alone, very

late,

looking
same

the

duskily-tumblingsea.
had

Suddenly

the

voice

that

spoken

before

230 murmured rang

upon

CONFIDENCE.

another
his
as ear

phrase
for

in

the
rest

darkness, and
of the

it It

the

night.

startled

him,

have
to

said,at
take his

first ;

then, the

next

morning,

it led

him

departure for
his
ear

Paris.

During
the
corner

the

journey
of the

it

lingeredin

he sat in
his eyes
rever

railway-carriagewith
purpose
not
true

closed,abstracted,on
beration. Italians how well
If it
were

to

prolong 'the
was

it
and

at

as least,

the

have

it, lien trovato,

it

was

wonderful less telling it. The

her had

it bore I
can

thinking
at

of.

It bears
a

well ; but

least

give
had very
a

hint of

theory that Angela

presence, sprung and into

hated

-him
a

evaporated in
different
sort

another

of It

being.

fitted

great

many

of the

it explaineda great many facts,

anom contradictions,

alies, mysteries,and

it accounted

for

Miss

Vivian's
at
a

insistingupon
few

her

mother's

leaving Blanquais
the any

hours' notice,even
could

better than done.

At

theory of

her

resentment

have

rate, it obliter
led him

ated
on

Bernard's

scruplesvery
in Paris This
to

and effectually,

his arrival Provence. but

to repairinstantly

the
than

Rue
one

de

street
one

contains whom

more

banker,
Mrs. he

there is
most

with

Bernard He

deemed
found

Vivian

likelyto

have

dealings.
he had
done
to
see no

had

reckoned

and rightly,

in difficulty

procuring her by
a no

address.
went
"

Having

so,

however, he

means

immediately

her ; he waited obliterated

couple of days

perhaps to give those

CONFIDENCE.

scruples
kept
nard
he very

have

spoken
and
it

of

chance

to

revive,
that

They
Ber

quiet,
no

must

be

confessed
them

took had

great
in

pains
three

to

recall

to

life.

After
Mrs.

been

Pans

days,

ho

knocked

at

Vivian's

d.c-?;p.

XXII.
IT

was

opened by the
at

little

waiting-maid whom
looked
at

he
very

had hard

seen

Blanquais,and
she
I answered his

who

him

before
see

inquiry.
Mrs.

"You

have
n't

found

Vivian's

dwelling,

though
said
"

you

would

give me

the

address," Bernard

to

her, smiling.
has

Monsieur answered
was

put

some

time And she

to

it ! "

the young
him that for

woman

dryly.
at not

informed

Madame whom
Mrs.

home, asked,
a

though
was

Mademoiselle,

he

had

not.

Vivian

occupied
one

diminutive
tall white of

apartment
houses
de

at

the

summit^of
the

of

the

which

ornament

neighborhood
of

the Arc
had

Triomphe.
Paris
warm

The
was

early days
still
a

September
absentees.
a

arrived, but
weather
of
was

city of
and in of

The
savour

and in

charming,
the
air
was

certain with

early autumn
melan shutters
mon

accord

the

somewhat
and

choly aspect
of this

the

empty

streets

closed
end

honorable
vistas from

quarter, where
seemed
the
to

the

of the with
a

umental
emanation
noon

be

curtained It
was

hazy

Seine.
was

late in the after into Mrs. Vivian's

when

Bernard

ushered

CONFIDENCE.

233

little
sunset

high-nestlingdrawing-room,
tints, faintly red, rested
wall.

and

patch
upon

of the

softly
these
;

gilded
in
a

Bernard
and

had

seen

ladies but

only
was

borrowed

abodes provisional

here

place where stamped

The
a

they
with

were

reallyliving and
tastes, their
was

which their
con

was

their

habits,
it

charm.
tained
to

little salon
of

very

elegant;
it

multitude
to

pretty things,and
in

appeared
The

Bernard
"

be

arranged

perfection.

long really
bal

windows very

the
"

ceiling being low, they opened

upon
one

were

short

of

those

solid

conies, occupying the width

are

of the

apartment, which
five

often

in Paris

compensation for living up

this

flightsof
flowers
to not

stairs,and
cushions.

balcony

was

filled with
out
as

and

Bernard
of he Mrs.

stepped
time

upon

it
was

await

the
to

coming
appear,

Vivian, and,
to
see

she that

quick

had

his
up
a

friends
at

enjoyed a magnificent view.

triumphal Arch,
which the which
a

They looked
itself at

the

presented
green

and picturesque angle,

near

tree-tops of
a

the

Champs

Elysees,beyond
of the of
vast

they caught

broad

gleam
tance,
whole
with

Seine

and

glimpse, blue
of Notre arid its and

in the Dame.

dis The

the

great

towers

city lay before

them

beneath

them,
of

its ordered

and brilliancy

mingled aspect huge

compression and
sian
murmur

expansion ;
away

yet the
it
to

Pari Mrs.

died

before

reached

Vivian's

which sky-parlor,

seemed

Bernard

the

234

CONFIDENCE.

brightestand
known. His

quietestlittle

habitation

he

had

ever

hostess she

came

rustling in
over

at

last; she
the
skirt

seemed of
in

agitated ;
dress
a

knocked

with
was

her
the

little gilded chair which

as

reflected

polished parquet
Vivian say.
"

in

sheet of
"

Mrs. looking-glass.

had

fixed

smile

she

hardly knew

what

to

found
"

your

address
at

at

the

banker's,"said Ber
to

nard.
to me."

Your

maid,

Blanquais, refused

give

it

Mrs.

Vivian
more or

gave

him

little look
"

"

there

was

always

less of it in her face

which

seemed should

equivalent to
spare
"

an

entreaty that her interlocutor

her.
are so
"

Maids

she strange,"

murmured

"

especially

the French
It

pleased

Bernard felt
a

for
sort

the
of

moment

not

to

spare for

her, though he
her.
"

delightof

kindness

Your

going
me

off from any

"

Blanquais

so

suddenly, with
clue, any
first It
as mes

out

leaving
of any

explanation, any
made
me

sage

sort

feel at
up. do

if you

did n't wish

me

that

I should

look you
"

reminded
?

of the way three years

"

you

left Baden

you

remember

"

ago."
so

Baden

was

charming

"

but

one

could

n't stay

forever,"said Mrs. Vivian.

236 "I

CONFIDENCE.

thank

you

for the
n't let you

intention.
carry

I suppose

your

daughter would
"

it out." Vivian I
saw

Angela
You

is

so me

Mrs. peculiar,"

said,simply.

"

told
at

that the first time Mrs. you

you."
that

"

Yes,
I
am
"

Siena,"said

Vivian.

"

glad

to

hear

speak frankly of
Vivian

place!
"

Perhaps

it 's

better," Mrs.
to

murmured.

She
upon the

got up and
the
street.

went

the looked

window down

; then
a

stepping
into

balcony,she
"

moment

She

will

come

back

in
"

moment,"
has gone

she
to

said,coming
see a

into the who

room

again. just
she
"

She
us.

friend about

lives

beside

We

don't

mind

Siena

now,"

added, softly.
understood

Bernard retraction Baden.

"Dear
wants wants to

understood of the

her

this to
of

be

request she

had

made

him

at

little marry marry

to
on

woman,"
her her

he

said

to
"

himself, "she

daughter
to
me

still

only

now

she

to

"

He and
he it
"

washed
he
was

show
the what

her

that of

he

understood

her,
to do

point
"

seizingher hand,
of the

did n't know when door he

to

hold

it,to press it,to kiss

bell
at

heard

the

sharp twang

the

of the little apartment. Vivian fluttered away.

Mrs.
"

It 's

and Angela,"she cried,

she stood

there

wait

smiling at Bernard, with ing and listening,

kerchief

her

hand

pressedto

her

lips.

CONFIDENCE.

237
into the

In but the her.

"

moment

the

girlcame
she

drawing-room,
hand
on

on

seeing Bernard
Her

stopped,with her
went to

door-knob.

mother

her

and

kissed

It 's Mr.

dearest Longueville,

"

he

has

found

us

out."
"

Found
"

us

out
a

"

repeated Angela, with

"

little

laugh.
She
saw

What

expression! singular
she She had blushed

was

blushing as
at

when
to
"

she first
now

him

Blanquais.
and

seemed

Bernard

to

have
had I
was

great

peculiarbrightness
before. been

something

she
"

never

had

certainlyhave

looking

for I

you," he
found
you

said.

"

greatly disappointed when

from flight
? flight

had

taken
"

Blanquais."
"

Taken

She

repeated his words

"

as

she

had way
"

repeated
of

her
!
"

mother's.

That

is also

strange

speaking
care

I don't

what

say," said
that that

Bernard,
I have I
"

"

so

long
very

as

I make
to
see

you you

understand

wanted

much every
"

again, and
I

have
"

wondered

day whether
know

might
you

venture

I don't

why

should

n't venture
"

"

she
are

interrupted, giving her

not
so

little
mamma

laugh again.
?
"

We

terrible, are
climbed
up

we,
our

that

when is,

once

you
"

have
I
came

five

of stairs." flights
"

very

fast,"said Bernard,

and

I find

your

apartment magnificent."

238 Mr.
"

CONFIDENCE.

"

Longueville must
asked
mamma.

come

again,must

he

not,

dear ?
"I nard
"

shall

come

very

often, with

your

leave," Ber

declared. It will be

immensely kind,"

said

Angela, looking
it that."

away.
"

am

not

sure

that you what

we

will think
are

"

I don't
"

know

you
ran

trying to prove," said

from you,

Angela ;
that
"

first that
not not

away

and

then

we

are

nice to
that
!
"

our

visitors."
Bernard

Oh

no,

exclaimed
cold you

"

;
are

for

assure

you

shall not

care

how

with

me." She masked

"

walked
with
am a

away

toward

another

door, which

was

curtain
to hear

that she lifted.

glad
am

that,for

it

gives me beg

courage
you

to
ex

say that I
cuse

very

tired,and

that I

will

me." She

glanced at
she
stood

him

moment

over

her

shoulder

then

passed out, dropping

there
to
was

the

curtain.

Bernard whose
In

face to face with

Mrs.

Vivian,
ever.

eyes seemed
own

plead
an

with

him

more

than

his

there

excited

smile. murmured.
"I

"Please
know
"

don't

mind

that," she
is tired.'
"

it 's true Mind

that she

it,dear lady ?
it.

cried

the

"

young

man.

in delight
"

It 's just what

! peculiar
"

I like."

Ah, she 's very

sighed Mrs.

Vivian.

CONFIDENCE.

239

"

She

is little."

strange"

yes.

But

think

understand

her

"

You

must

come

back

to-morrow,
to-morrows

then."
"

"

hope
took

to

have

many

cried

Bernard

as

he

his

departure.

XXIII.

AND
at

he
same

had

them

in and in

fact. he

He
found

called the salon.

the

next

day
the

the

hour,

mother

and

daughter
very

together
and

their

pretty
;

Angela
Mrs.

was

gentle
given
which

gracious
a

he

suspected
lecture the upon

Vivian

had
in

her
she

tender
received five that

little him

the
before.

manner

had there
water

day
Mrs.

After took table and Ber

he

had

been
of
out

minutes,
was

Vivian

decanter
went

standing
to

upon

on

the her

balcony
a

irrigate her
his

flowers. in
out

nard

watched she
ten

while the

from

place
and

the of

room

then Some
and dow

moved

along

balcony
without
to

sight.

minutes
Bernard

elapsed stepped
for

her threshold

re-appearing,
of

then
and

the

the
and

win

looked and
rather of took

her.
seat

She
near

was

not

there,

as

he

came

his

Angela
Mrs. Vivian

again,
had

he

an

nounced,
back into

formally,
the

that

passed

one

other
a

windows.

Angela
"

was

silent
you very

moment

"

then
?
"

she

said
"

Should

like

me

to

call

her

She Bernard he
now

was

peculiar
his

"

that of

was

very

true

yet
that

held

to

declaration

the

day

before

understood

her

little.

CONFIDENCE.

241

"

No,

I don't
;

desire it,"he
have

said.

"

I wish

to

see

you

alone

to something particular

say

to

you."
She turned

her

face

toward

him, and
showed he
had him

there
that

was

something
looked
He
sat
on.

in its
more

expressionthat
serious than
for
some

he

to

her

ever

looked.

down

again ;

moments

he hesitated

to go
"

You

me," frighten

she said

laughing;
is

and

in

spite

of her
"

laugh
assure

this you I
am

was

obviously true.
state

my

of mind

anything but

formidable.
am
"

afraid

of you,

on

the contrary ; I

humble I
am

and
sorry

apologetic."
for

that," said Angela.

"

particu
I know

dislike receivingapologies, even larly

what

when

they

are

for.

What

yours

are

for,I can't im

agine."
"You

don't

dislike

me

"

you

don't

hate

me?"

Bernard
"You

suddenly
don't

broke
me

out.

ask

that

humbly.
more

Excuse

me

therefore

if I say

I have

other, and

practical,

things to
"You
"

do."

despiseme,"
is not

said Bernard.

That
it."

humble

either,for you

seem

to

insist

upon "It and "I

would
a

be
reason

after for very

all

way

of

thinking
to

of me,

I have

wishing you
that you

do that."
to

remember

well
16

used

have

242 for

CONFIDENCE.

reason

everything.

It

was

not

always

good
"

one." "This have She

"

one

said is excellent,"
in love up with you

Bernard, gravely.

been

for three

years."
?
"

got

slowly,turning away.
you wished
to

Is that
went

what

say

to

me

She her.
"

toward

the open

window,

and

he followed

hope

it does n't offend

a

you.

I don't

say it lightly very

"

"

it 's not

pieceof gallantry. It
I did n't know I loved
or

's the

truth

of my
as

being.
may

it till you

lately
before know

strange
I knew

that
"

seem.

long
to to

it
was

before

I ventured of you

presumed
I seemed It is very

it.

thinking
of

when

myself
"

to be

thinking
are

other

things.

strange

there
over

things

in it I don't

understand.

I travelled

to divert the world, I tried to interest,

myself ;
you

but
"

at

bottom that
at
was

it

was

perfect failure.
When
I

To
saw

see

again

what

I wanted.

you

last month clear.

read it

Blanquais I
was

knew
to

it ; then

everythingbecame
I wished
; therefore
to

It

the

answer

the

riddle.
sure

very

clearly
"

I wished

to be

I did n't
"

follow

you

immediately.
It I
am

I has

questioned my
borne very
sure.

heart

it. cross-questioned

the

examination,
I love you
as

and
my

now

I
"

am

sure.

life
She

beg

you
"

to listen to

me

"

had

listened
of

she had the window

listened
and

look intently,

out ing straight

without

moving.

244
"

CONFIDENCE.

Perhaps

not

; but to

at

least it you

was

meant

to be. I
am

I far I

did n't know

from
entreat

how

please
I
me

then, and
now.

supposing
you
was

that

have
a

learned

But

to

give
a

chance."
eyes

She

silent

while

; her

wandered

over

the

great prospect
"

of Paris. how you

can

Do

you last.

know
"

pleaseme
alone."

now

"

she

said,at

By leaving me
at her
a

Bernard
back
"

looked
the
see

moment,
and

then
took

came

straight
I

into You
come
am

drawing-room
I avail

his hat.
But

myself of

the first chance.

shall
"

back

to-morrow."
to

greatly obliged
Such
a

you

for

what
to

you be

have

said.
to with

speech

as

that
You

deserves may
come

listened
to-mor

consideration.
added. when

back

row," Angela
On him
"

the morrow, alone.

he

came

back, she

received

How
?
"

did
he

you
as

know,
soon

at
as

Baden, that I did n't like

she would allow
him.

you

asked,

She
"

smiled, very
assured that
"

gently. yesterdaythat you supposed I did n't.

that I observed." very of

You I
mean

me

did like me." How did

you

"

know
"

that ? I
can

only
must

say

"

You

have
had

observed the
air

for,super closely,

I rather ficially,

admiring you," said

Bernard.

CONFIDENCE.

245

"

It
You

was

very don't

superficial."
mean

"

that ; for,after all,that

my
were

is

just
not.
not

what

my
were

admiration,

interest

in

you,

were

They

deep, they
"

latent.

They

were

superficial they
"

were

subterranean."
I
am

You

are

and yourself, contradicting

"

perfectly
were
so

consistent," said Angela.

well
"

Your I

sentiments

hidden I remember

that

supposed
at

displeasedyou."
used
to contradict

that

Baden, you

Bernard yourself,"
"

answered. terrible memory

!
"

You Don't
a

have

"

for it call it terrible,

"

sees

everything now
this understand
seems

in

charming light
that
we

in the last

of light

ing

have
"

at

arrived
full
on

at, which
those
an

to

shine

backward
we

to shine

Baden

days."

"Have she

at

last
a

arrived

at

understanding?"
which he had
ever

asked,
the

with
most

grave beautiful
upon into

directness

Bernard
seen.

thought
"

thing

It

only depends
out
"

you,"he
a

declared

and

then

he broke tenderness.
"

again
Don't time

of passionate protestation off this about

put
to

me

time," he
have

cried. had you,

You

have
to

had
over

think

it ; you

time
and

get

the

the surprise,

shock.

I love
to
me

I offer you As she

everything that
looked
at

belongs
with and

in this

world." eyes,

him

her

dark, clear
not
com

weighing
herself

this
"

precious vow
you don't

yet

mitting
murmured.

"Ah,

forgive

me!"

he

246 She
"

CONFIDENCE.

gazed

at him

with

the

same

solemn
"

brightness.
He
Mrs.

What

have

I to

forgiveyou
to

This readied Vivian

question
forward had
her Mrs.
come

seemed

him

enchanting.
hands,
seen

and

took would

her

and

if

in she

have

him

kneel

ing

at

daughter'sfeet.
Vivian

But
saw
"

remained
next

in

and seclusion,
came.

Bernard

her I
am

only the
very

time

he

happy, because
do you
are

I think

my

daughter is

happy," she
"

said.
think very
to

And

what

of

me

"

"

I think
to

you

clever.

You

must

promise

me
"

be
am

very

good

her."
to

clever
you

enough
are

promise that."
to
as

"

I think

good enough
as

keep it,"said
she

Mrs. her

Vivian.

She

looked her

happy

said,and

happiness
tendency.
about
"
"

gave
"

communicative, strange
turns

confidential

It

is very wheel
no

how

things
went

come
on.

how

the

round," she

I suppose she

there is

harm
for
me

in my

telling you
"

that I

believe
"

always cared

you."
before ?
said

Why

did n't you

tell

Bernard,

with
"

almost
How my

filial reproachfulness. I ? I don't

"

could

go

about

the world

offer

ing

daughter to people
Baden did n't
not

to indifferent especially

people."
"

At
were

you

think

was

indifferent.

You

afraid of my

being indifferent enough."

CONFIDENCE.

247

Mrs.
"

Vivian
at

colored. I
was a

Ah,
Too

Baden

little too anxious

n't

"

"

anxious

I should

speak

to

your

daughter!

"

said
"

Bernard, laughing.
At

Baden," Mrs.
n't any
now

Vivian
"

went

on,

"

I had

views.

But
"

I have That
"

I have

given
of
me

them
very

up."
flatter

makes

your

acceptance

ing !
"

Bernard

exclaimed, laughing still more

Mrs.

gaily.

I have

said something better," his

arm.

Vivian, laying

her

on finger-tips

"^Mhaveconfidence,"
to to

Bernard

did

his

best

encourage him that

this there
more was

gracious
some

sentiment, and

it seemed
be done
to

thing yet Angela's

"

to

implant

it

firmly in
said to

breast.
a

I have
one

confession
"

to

make

to

you," he

her
"

day.

I wish very

you

would

listen to it."
"

Is it

something
very

horrible ?

Angela
I
once

asked. did you

"

Something injury."

horrible indeed.

an
"

An

injury ?

"

she

in repeated,
to

tone

which

seemed

to reduce

the offence

contemptible proportionsby
about

simple vagueness
"

of mind what

it.
said Bernard. it,"
"

I don't service

know
"

to call

poor

an

ill-turn."

Angela
shrug ;
"

gave

a was

shrug,or
not
a

rather

an

imitation

of

for she

shrugging person.
Gordon

I I

never

knew

it."
to

"

misrepresented you
on.

Wright,"Bernard

went

248
"

CONFIDENCE.

Why
Does

do

you

speak

to

me

of him

?"

she

asked

rather
"

sadly.
it

displeaseyou
a

"

She

hesitated it
to

little. If
I would your

"Yes,

displeases me.
do with

confession
not

has it." he
of

anything
Bernard had
every

him,
to the

rather

hear
"

returned of

subject another
He

time
a

plenty day days

was

opportunities.

spent
dear

portion
;

in the company
were

of these

women

and

these

the

happiest of
and

his life.

The

autumn

weather

warm

the quartier was soothing,

of away, with
a

still

deserted, and
seemed the
a

the

uproar miles air

the

great city, which

them and

hundred

reached softened
were

through
muffled

dense

October

sound.
and
son

The

evenings, however, long they lightedthe

Vivian's

growing cool,
sea

before in Mrs. On

first fire of the

heavily draped
Bernard

little
sat

chimneywith

piece.

this

occasion

there

Angela,watching the bright crackle

feeling that
These
two

of the

wood

and

the
young

charm
persons
was

of

winter
were

nights
alone

had

begun.
the

togetherin

gatheringdusk
the
"

; it

the hour

before dinner, before

lamp
I

had

been upon

lighted. making
you my

insist
"

confession," said
until you

Bernard. do it."
"

I shall be very

unhappy

let

me

Unhappy
I lie upon

You
roses,

are

the

happiest of
will ; but

men."

"

if you

this memory,

CONFIDENCE.

249

this remorse, mistaken

of
"

is

folded

rose-leaf.
;

was

completely
all
manner

about
"

you
or

at Baden
at

thought

evil of you
Men I
are

least I said it."

dull

creatures," said Angela.

are.

"

think
upon

they
that
even

So

much
are

so

that,as

look
don't

back

time, there
now."

some

things I
back.

understand
"

I don't

see

why

you

should

look

People

in

our
"

positionare
You don't
"

supposed to
like those don't

look

forward."

Baden

said days yourself," of them."

Bernard.
"

You

like to think

What

wonderful looked

discovery!
a

"

Bernard

at her

moment

in the

brighten
"

ing fire-light.
"

What

part
shook
are

was

it you

tried to

play there

Angela
"

her head. creatures." and I

am

Men

dull

"I

have

already granted that,

an

eating

humble
"

pie in asking for

did you
say of

explanation."
?
"

What

me

Angela asked, after

Eemember

silence.
"

said

you

were

coquette.

that

am

simply
She

historical."
up and stood in front of

got
on

the fire, having

down
at

her hand the

blaze.

the
For
not

chimney-pieceand looking
some

moments

she

remained

there.

Bernard
"

could
you

see

her face.
a

said

were

dangerous

woman

to

marry,"

250

CONFIDENCE.

he went it.
very I

on

deliberately.
Gordon
an

"

I said it because about you

"

thought
it
was a

I gave

opinion
I could

unfavorable
you
were

one.

n't make

you

out

"

thought
you

playing a double
to

part.
and

I believed I
saw
"

that I

were

ready
"

marry

him,

yet

thought
"

saw

"

and
?
"

Bernard
and

paused again.
toward

What

did

you

see

Angela turned

him.
"

That

you

were

encouraging

me

"

playing

with

me."
"

And
I

you

did n't like that ? it

"

"

liked

immensely
;

"

for
must

myself
do

! But

did n't

like it for Gordon

to say
"

and

myself the justice

than
of said

that I
were

thought more
an

of

him

myself." Angela,

You

excellent

friend,"

simply.
"

believe

was.

And

am

so

Bernard still,"

added. She
"

shook
Mr. is
a

her head

sadly.
!
"

Poor He

Wright
dear

"

good fellow,"said Bernard.

dear, doubtless
to his

"

Thoroughly good, and

Blanche."

wife,

the affectionate
"You don't

like

him

"

you

don't

like her," said

Bernard.
"

Those

are

two

very

different matters.

am

very

sorry
"

for Mr.

Wright."
He
is

You

need n't be that.

doing very

well."

252

CONFIDENCE.

she

declared.

At

any

rate

hated

it

"

I hated upon

the
me

idea of your
of
was

pretending to
come

pass

judgment
for

your
as

having
if Mr.

to

Baden been
me

the purpose.
a

It

Wright
to

had

buying

horse
paces

and
!
"

you
"

had

undertaken

put
"

through my
to
"

I undertook You

nothing

I declined

undertake."
and I
was

"

certainlymade
you
to

study
your

of

me

determined
termined

should

get
to

lesson
to

wrong. you.

I de

embarrass,
n't

mislead,
;

defeat

Or
a

rather,
natural evade you
"

did

determine
of

I
"

simply obeyed
the

impulse
the fierce

self-defence
criticism.

impulse
to

to

light of

I wished

put

in the You

wrong."
it all very

did

well.

You

put

me

admirably
all

in the
"

wrong."
for only justification
it my

The

doing it

at

was

my
"

doing
You

well," said Angela.

then justified
!

were

You

must

have

hated

me

fiercely."
She turned her back
to

him

and

stood

lookingat
that be

the
"

fire

again.
are some

Yes, there
for

things that
an

I did

can

accounted
She

only by
so

intense

aversion." in
a

said this
that
was was

naturallythat
touched upon

spiteof
few

certain

theory
Bernard the stood

pages He and
rose

back,
from and
arm

good
he
a

deal

bewildered.

sofa where

had
moment.

been

lounging
Then he

went

beside

her

passed his

CONFIDENCE.

253

round
orous
"
"

her

waist

and

murmured

an

almost

tim

Keally ?
I
"

"

"

don't she

know answered.
down

what

you

are

trying to

make

me

say !
He

looked

at

her

for

moment

as

he held

her close to him.

"

I don't say it.

see,

after would

all,why

I make

should my

wish
remorse

to make
more

you

It

only

acute."
She
a was

musing,
she made

with
no

her
answer

eyes
;

on

the fire, and

as

for

moment
were

then,

if her

atten

tion
"

returning
you

"

Are

still talking about

your

remorse

"

she

asked.
"

You

see

I
was

put it
a

very

strongly."
creature

"

That
That

horrid
not
a

"

"

you my
to

were

woman

to

marry." Angela,
are

"Ah, attempt
tent !"

poor prove

Bernard," said
to

"I

can't

you

that

you

not

inconsis

The

month
to
was

of fix

September
a

drew their

to

close,and
The

she last

consented of
was

day

for

wedding.

October almost

the moment
was

selected,and

the selection

all that
"

wanting

to
was

Bernard's
a

happi
in

ness.

I say

almost," for there

which
felt numb

solitary spot
dead
"

his consciousness vaded

and the

unper-

by the joy with

which

rest

of his

spirit

254

CONFIDENCE.

seemed hard

to

thrill
in the

and

tingle.
savour

The

removal life
that

of

this

grain
his

sweet

of

was

needed

to

complete
the

felicity.
excision Gordon

Bernard

felt

he
of

had

made

necessary
wrote
to

when,

at

the

end

the

month,
He

he

Wright
off the

of

his

engagement.
of this

had
from

been

putting
to

performance
so

duty

day

day
He

it
"

seemed
it

hard end

to

accomplish briefly
Three
;

it

gracefully.
him that

did this
his

at

the
best

very

it

struck
after

was

the

way.

days
from

he

had

sent

letter

there

arrived
that he

one

Gordon

himself,
determined

informing
to

Bernard
Blanche

had

sud

denly
was

bring they
a

to

Europe.
time.

She

not

well,
sail

and within

would week

lose
after

no

They
The

were

to

his

writing.
Lovelock

letter

contained with us."

postscript

"
"

Captain

comes

XXIV.
BERNARD

prepared

for

Gordon's

arrival
take

in

Paris,
in
a

which,
few

according
He
was

to his not
to

letter,would

place

days.

intending proceed
with

to

stop

in

England
to

Blanche

desired
to capital,

immediately
her

the
after

French which
to

confer

man-milliner,
would go
to

it

was

probable that
for the
or

they
"

Italy or
her
a

the

East of

winter. the
care

have

given
"

choice tells
me

Eome

Nile," said
a

Gordon,
we

but

she

she does
that

n't

fig where
to

go."
his friends,
or even

I say and I

Bernard
that

prepared

receive
"

mean

he

prepared morally
he
an

in

tellectually. Materially speaking,

hold
a

could

simply
at

himself

in readiness
to

to

engage
at
as

apartment
station.
as

hotel and

go

to

meet

them

the

He

expected to
esting
fication
came

hear

from

Gordon

soon

this inter
first noti hotel. It in

trio should he received

him in

reach
came

England,
from of
a a

but

the

Parisian
very short and the

to

the

shape
before had

note,
to

the

morning, shortly
that his

lunch,

was

the
la

effect Paix
"

friends
before.

alighted in

Eue

de

the We

night
were

tired, and

have

slept late,"

said

256

CONFIDENCE.

Gordon
me

"

otherwise
Come
see

you
to

should

have

heard
want

from
ex

earlier.
to

lunch, if possible. I

tremely

you."
course,

Bernard, of
In
as

made
as

point of going
found

to

lunch. in The

short

time

possible he
the Hotel

himself

Gordon's table stood

window.
was

sitting-room at
laid for the
his As

Middlesex.
a

midday repast, and

to
came

gentleman
of

with

back

the

door, looking out

the

Bernard
the

in, this gentleman turned beard, the

of

and

exhibited

ambrosial

symmetrical
Lovelock.
and if

shape, the
The

monocular

appendage,
his

Captain

Captain
Bernard

screwed
in

glass into
fashion
"

his eye,

greeted
he had
"

his usual
him
!

that is,as

parted with

overnight.

Oh, good morning

you
are come

Beastly morning,
to to

is n't
come

it ?

I suppose
to

luncheon be
on

"

have know you it's

luncheon.

It

ought
o'clock.
are

table,you
say
"

it's

nearly two

But
never

I dare

have

noticed

foreigners
servants

punctual
And

only
don't

English
understand
out
our

that

are

punctual.
know
"

they
can't
know

luncheon,

you

they
You you

make

eating
dine
so

at

this sort of hour.

Do
at

they
the
,

always
sort

beastly early.
used
;
some

remember
?
"

of time

they

to

dine

Baden hour

half-past
kind.

five, half-pastsix
That 's the
sort
a

unearthly
you dine

of that

of time
man

in America. That You

I found 's what know I

they 'd
call

invite in

at

half -past six.

being

hurry

for your

food.

they

CONFIDENCE.

257
of
to say

always

accuse

the I of
am

Americans bound

making

rush

for

their victuals. and when that you

sort

that in New
were

York,

place,the
I

victuals you
?

very my the

good
say Am

got

them.

hope

don't You

mind

ing anything about

ericans bristle tions.
are so

America

know
"

deucedly
say

thin-skinned

they always
institu say
"

up The

if you

anything against their

care a

English don't
a

rap

what

you you
"

they've got
With breathe there
on

different I'm

sort

of

temper,
careful While

know. I
never

the
a

Americans word in about

for

deuced

anything.

was

over

I went

being complimentary.

I laid

it

thick, and

I found
see

they would
much

take

all I

could

give them.

I did n't

of their

institutions,
Some
was

after all ; I went

in for

seeing the people.

"

of

the

people were
some

charming
of the

upon

my I

soul, I
dare
were

surprisedat
know
some

people.
saw

say
as

you nice
were

of the
you lot

people I
see

they

people
always
know Yrou
;

as

would of

anywhere.
about
were

There

people
me

Mrs. all the for

Wright,
best

you

they

told

they always

people.
She

know
comes

she

is

late
one

everything.
"

always
devilish

in after every

is there

lookingso
wears

pretty,pullingon
ever saw

her in my

gloves.
life.

She

the

longestgloves I
if

Upon
the

my

word,

they

don't

come,

think

I will

ring
Would

bell and

ask

the waiter

what
a

's the matter.

n't you

ring

the bell ?

It 's

great mistake, their trying to carry

17

258
out

CONFIDENCE.

their

ideas of

lunching.
he *g I
am

That

's

Wright's
to

char
out

acter, you
some

know;
When

always trying
abroad,
You may do I go

carry

idea. breakfast had

in for the upon of

for it

eign they
at

myself. give
up

depend
this sort

better
.

trying to

thing

this hour."

Captain Lovelock
tion
course

was

more

disposed
him and

to

conversa

than

Bernard

had been

known

before.

His

dis

of old had

languid
him

fragmentary, and
a

our

hero

had
so

never

heard

pursue To
was

train

of ideas obser
man.

through
vant

many

involutions. the

Bernard's
an

eye,
manner

indeed,

Captain
a

altered
desire

His

betrayed

certain

restless
"

to

be

agreeable,to anticipatejudgment
smile, and
be
move

dispositionto
auditor, a
window trifle than the
nervous

civil,and
about He and

entertain

his

ten

dency
at
"

to

look

out

of the
as a

and

the clock.
as

struck

Bernard
on

less

solidly planted
the

his

feet

when side

he of

lounged along
his
his usual

Baden
"

gravel-walks by
a

companion
was

lady

for

whom,

apparently,
Bernard
was

admiration
to
see

still considerable. he would

curious

whether

ring the
service under

bell to in of lunch the into cir the

;

quire into
but before

the this
was

delay attending the

sentiment, rather
Blanche gratified,

idle

cumstances,
room

passed
To

from

neighboring apartment.
at

Bernard's
; she to

perception Blanche,
was
a

least,was
it would

always
not

Blanche

person

in whom

have

occurred

260
"

CONFIDENCE.

coming

to

breakfast have

without

being
!
"

asked.
she
at went

How
on,

queerly they gazing

of with

arranged the table

her little elevated

"

eyebrows
that

this

piece

furniture.

always thought

in could

Paris, if
arrange little

they couldn't
a

do

anything else, they

at

table.
on

I don't like that each be

a

all you

"

those
think

horrid those
I

dishes

side !

Don't

things
don't I told
are

ought
like to them
flowers

to
see

off the lot of

some

table,Mr.

Longueville?
eating.
And

things I

'in not
"

to

have
Do

flowers
call
come

pray,

where flowers

the

? if

they
had

those
out

things
of the

They
!

look
Mr.
"

as

they

bonnet landlady's

do Longueville,

look
me
"

at those

objects."
are

They

are

not

like

they

not

very

fresh,"

laughed Bernard.
"

It 's

no

great

matter

"

we

have

not

got

to

eat

them," growled Captain Lovelock.

"

I should you you

as

think

you

would make
!

expect
"

to

"

with

the

luncheon
"

usually

rejoined Blanche.
did n't ask Will you, you you

Since

are

here, though

might

well make
to

yourselfuseful.
If Gordon

be
that

so

good
are

as

ring the bell ?

to

expects
an

we

going

wait

another the

quarter of
of
a

hour

for him

he

exaggerates
are

patience
to

wife. long-suffering

If you
is

very

curious

know of
a

what

he is about, he
He writes be I
am

writing letters, by eighty

a

way
;
a

change.

about

day
It 's

his

correspondents
me

must

strong

people !

lucky thing for

that

CONFIDENCE.

261

married
me
"

to to me,

Gordon
to

; if I

were

not

he

might
to

write
answer

to

whom
to

it 's dinner If

misery
!

to have

even

an

invitation
to

To

begin with, I
Lovelock you may
ever

don't boasts it 's

know

how he

spell.
had He

Captain
me,

that
an

has

letters from
has
never

know but in

invention.
"

had that I

anything
sent

tele
Am
our

grams

three
a

telegrams

"

him

erica about house tain hands and

pair of slippersthat
I did n't know
are slippers no

he
to

had

left at

that

what

do with.
on

Cap
one's For
at

Lovelock's
"

trifle to have I

on

one's

feet,I suppose

ought to
the
you

say.

telegrams the spellingdoesn't

the off office correct
on

matter;
don't

people
can

it I

"

or

if
see

they

put

it

them.

never

anything nowadays
on,
as

but

Gordon's
at

back," she
"
"

went

they

took

their

places

table

his That
now

noble 's my
we*

broad

back,

as

he sits
of my

writing
have

his letters. I think that

view principal
are

husband.
to
a

in the

Paris

ought

portraitof
be such
a

it

by

one

of

great

artists.

It would

characteristic
I don't

pose.

I have

quite forgotten
it."

his face and Gordon's

moment

think

I should

know

face,however, presented itself just at this

came

; he

in

quickly, with
of

his countenance his of he old

a

flushed again. who

with

the

pleasure
the

meeting
look

friend

He
has

had

sun-scorched the

traveller

just
with

crossed his honest

me a

Atlantic, and

smiled

at

Bernard
"

eyes. for
not

Don't

think

great brute

being here

262

CONFIDENCE.

to
was

receive

you," he said, as important

'

he

clasped his hand.

I

"

writing an
this
come

letter and

put it
letter

to

my

self in
have it now, with
can
"

way

If and

interrupt my

I shall

to

back have So

finish it ; whereas
rest

if I finish
to
now

can

all the
to

of the

day

spend
we

him.' be You

I stuck

it to the end, and

inseparable."
may be
sure

Gordon husband

reasoned offered his

it out," said hand

in

Blanche, while
lence
"

her

si

to

Captain Lovelock. reasoning

is
as

Gordon's
"

fine who
was

as

other

people's
of
a

\ feeling

declared
say

Bernard,

conscious
to

desire and

to

something
not
at

very

pleasant
of

Gordon,
little

who

did

all approve

Blanche's

ironical tone
"And

about

her

husband.
are

Bernard's

compliments

better than
seat at

either,"
table.

said Gordon,
"

laughing and taking his

been

I have
"

paying
been
"

him

compliments,"Blanche
he looks
had
so

went

on.

I have

him telling if

bril

liant,so
to

blooming
as

as

something
a

happened
He and
am

him,

if he

had

inherited

fortune.

must

have

been
to
a

doing something
all about

very
amuse

wicked,
us.

he
sure

ought
you ber
are

tell us

it,to

dreadful
we are

Parisian, Mr.
three each

Longueville. Remem people,exceed

to

that

dull, virtuous
other's

ingly bored
hear

with

and wanting society,

If it 's
a

something strange and exciting.

little

improper, that won't spoilit."

CONFIDENCE.

263

"

You

are certainly

lookinguncommonly
the
"

well," said

Gordon,
"

still what

smiling, across
Blanche
means

table,at his friend.

I
"

see

My

dear

Gordon,

that 's

great event," his wife

interposed.
"

It's

good

deal to

he pretend,certainly,"
face
to me,

went

on,

smiling always, with

"But this is
no

his red

and

his

blue

eyes.

great credit
would

because
one.

Bernard's You look

superb condition
as

strike
to

any

if you
"

were

going

marry

the

Lord

Mayor's
this

daughter !
If
ture

Bernard
must

was

blooming, his
in

bloom
so

at

junc

have
an

deepened, and
even

doing indeed have expression

the
rare occa

contributed
salubrious sions

brightertint
It he
was one

to his

of

happiness.
life when

of
a

of his

was

at

loss for

verbal

expedient.
"

It 's

great match,"
must

he
excuse

nevertheless
my

murmured,
appear

jestingly. "You
ance."
"

inflated

It has

absorbed
to

you

so

much
said

that

you
"

have
I

had

no

time hear
"I

to write

me,"

Gordon.

expected

to

from

you
to
own

after you
a

arrived."
"

wrote

you

fortnight ago
You

just before
York

re

ceivingyour
my
"

letter. it."

left New

before

letter reached

Ah,

it will have
we

crossed

us," said

Gordon.
care.

"

But

now

that

have

your

societyI

don't

Your

264 of letters,

CONFIDENCE.

course,

are

but delightful,

that

is still

better."
In
cannot

spite of
be

this
to

sympathetic statement
have

Bernard
;

said

enjoyed
else that
was

his

lunch

he

was

thinking of something
that
an a was

lay before
like
a a man

him who
to

and has

not

agreeable. He
feat
to to

acrobatic

perform
"

"

wide
has
a

ditch

leap,

high pole
fractures

climb

and

who

presentiment
was

of

and

bruises.
as

Fortunately he
Gordon

not

obligedto
more

talk her

much,
usual

Mrs.

displayed even
compan

than

rendering her vivacity,

of the lifting burden

ions the

gracefulservice
from

of

con

versation
"

their shoulders. you

were

I suppose

to surprised

see

us

rushing
course

out

here

so

suddenly,"she
"

observed

in

the

of

the repast. last

saw

We

had

said

nothing about
we are

it when

you

us,

and

I believe
we

supposed to
told
of
no

tell you
you them you what
a

ain't everything,

certainlyhave
there
I
are some

great many

things,and
have n't all

hope
have
you

you

repeated.
over

have

doubt
care

told them tell in

Paris, but I don't

Paris isn't
so

Paris

"

easily shocked.
I tell him I have
; I

Captain
set
some

Lovelock
up
as a

does n't repeat what model

of discretion.

him

told him
so

and pretty bad things,

he has liked them I say my

much

he has
to

kept
he

them

all to himself. and my

bad

things
other
he is

Captain Lovelock,

good things to
difference and

people;

does n't know

the

content." perfectly

CONFIDENCE.

265 don't know

"

"

Other

people as

well

often

the

differ
to

ence," said
tell
us

Gordon, gravely.
are

You

ought always
little

which

which."
her husband
a

Blanche
stare.
"

gave

impertinent

When
at

am

not

she said,with appreciated,"

"

an

at

tempt
it out.

superiordryness,
I don't
went

am

too

proud
know and
to

to

point
I 'm

know
on, ;

whether

you
to

that

proud," she
at

turning
"

Gordon

glancing
know.
too

Captain

Lovelock

it 's

good thing
I
are

suppose
to
one

Gordon
that any
out

will say
; but

that

ought
you

to to
a

be do

proud
no

point
has

what

when
or

imagination ?
but

You

have

grain

two,
a

Mr.

Longueville ;
As for

Captain

Lovelock

has n't But

even

speck.
you,
an

Gordon, je n'cn parle pas!

never

Mr.

would Longueville,
"

imagine that
are

am

invalid interesting health. The

that
doctors up.
; but

we

for travelling

my up,
as

delicate but
if I I
were

haven't I know

given
I don't I

me

have
out

given

them

look

of health best.

that 's because proves my

always nothing

try
"

to

look

my

My
Do

appearance you

absolutelynothing.

think
?
"

appearance

proves

anything, Captain

Lovelock

Captain Lovelock
with
"

scrutinized
eye very
;

Blanche's then he

appearance

fixed and
you

solemn
are

and

replied
"

It proves

lovely."
him in
return

Blanche this

kissed

her

to tinger-tips

for

compliment.

266

CONFIDENCE.

"

You

only need
"

to

give Captain Lovelock

he is
to
as

chance,"
That
to

she what

rattled on,
I like

and do

clever friends

as

any I

one.

's

to

my

"

like

make dear
out
a

chances

for them. terrier will

Captain
that
over

Lovelock

is like

my

little blue
stick

I left at home. it.

as

If I hold

he

jump
as soon

He

won't

jump

without
what

the

stick ; but
to

produce
a

it he

knows
and

he has

do.

He

looks

at it

moment

then
a

he

gives his little hop.

of sugar, Dear Would
sucre

He

knows

he

will

have
one

lump
well.
? de I

and

Captain Lovelock
Lovelock,
shall
I

expects

as

Captain
n't pour

ring
con,
un

for

lump

it be

touching ?
le

Gar

morceau

Monsieur le

Capitaine
is moral

But
!

what I

give

Monsieur

Capitaine

sugar shall

usually ad
a

minister
morsel

it in

private,and
you up, go

he

have

good big

when

away."
to

Gordon his watch.

"

got

turning

Bernard

and

looking

at

Let

us

go

away,

in

that

case," he
to

said, smiling,
his reward. go up le the

"

and

leave
will go

Captain Lovelock
and
take
a

receive will Monsieur

We

walk

; we

Champs
taine." Neither
sition hostess into the

Elysees.

Good

morning,

Capi

Blanche

nor

the

Captain offered
Bernard who
took

any

oppo of his

to this

and proposal,

leave

and

joined Gordon,

had

already passed

antechamber.

268

CONFIDENCE.

sive entertainment The

avenue

who

abound
on

in the the

French
of the

capital.
great
up

benches

and
a

chairs dense

edge

exhibited
down the

of fraternity

gazers,

and

and and his

broad

walk

passed

the

slow-moving
in deal

easily pleased pedestrians. Gordon,

announcement

spite of
to

that
at

he

had

good

say,

confined Bernard

himself after he of
was a

first to had

and allusions, superficial of

while
not

the satisfaction
the

perceiv
to

ing that
the
to note

for likely, discord. of the

moment,

strike

conjugal

He Blanche
humor

appeared, indeed,
in any
manner

feel

no

desire to
He

speak

whatever.
the
scene,

fell into
at

of the

hour

and

looked that
a

the

crowd,
was a

talked

about

trifles.
after

He

remarked
that

Paris

wonderful

place

all,and
was a

little

glimpse
as a

of

the

Parisian

picture
was

capitalthing
had
come,

change ;
that

said

he

very
was

glad they
And

and

for his

part he

willing to stay
"

three

months.
been you
"

what
"

have How

you have

doing
been

with

? yourself what

"

he asked.
are

occupied,and

you

meaning
said

to

do ?

Bernard

nothing
at

for

moment,
to
see

and

Gordon he
was

presently glanced
silent.
ion's

his

face

why
his upon it
was

Bernard,
and

looking askance,
own

met

compan

eyes,

then, resting his

His
to

them, he
a

stopped
tion of

short.

heart Gordon

was

beating;
"

ques
oc

saying
in

outright,
to

I have

been

cupied

becoming engaged

Angela

Vivian."

But

CONFIDENCE.

269

he could n't say

He

it,and

yet he

must

say
he

something.
think of him. for want

tried to invent

something
was

; but

could

nothing, and
"

still Gordon

looking at
!
"

am

so

glad

to

see

you

he

exclaimed,
"

of

something
"

better
as

; and

he blushed it. Gordon

he felt foolish,

he felt false
"

he

said
!
"
"

My they
I

dear

Bernard
on.

murmured

gratefully,
of you
to

as

walked
am

It 's very
aie

good

say

that;
to

very

glad

we

together again.
a

I want
"

say

something," he
mind it
"

added, in
Bernard

moment

hope

you
at
"

won't his

gave

little

laugh

and companion's scruples,

Gordon

continued.
to to
me

To

tell the
we were

truth, it has
not
so

sometimes

seemed
\ve

that that

good
come

friends
between I don't

as

used

be

"

something
I
a

had

us

"

I don't what

know
to

what,
it but know

don't
sort

know

why.

know

call
don't

of

lowering
you

of the

temperature.
whether
it may
too

whether
a

have
mine.

felt it,or
Whatever

it has been have

"

simply

fancy of

been,
too

it 's all over,

is n't it ?
"

We stick

are

old

friends
Of

good
rubs

friends

not

to

together.

course,

the
; but

of life may

loosen occasionally
to

the cohesion

it is very
it may
we

good

feel that, with re-established.

about

little direct contact, Is n't that

so

easilybe

But

shouldn't and

reason

these

things;

one

feels

them,

that 's

enough."
in his clear, cheerful It

Gordon

spoke

voice, and
him there

Ber
was

nard

listened

intently.

seemed

to

270
undertone it
was

CONFIDENCE.

an

of

pain
of

and
an

effort

in
man

his

companion's trying
to

speech ;
wise
"

that the

unhappy
things.
the
rubs

be

and

make

best of
"

Ah, the rubs

of life

of life ! "

Bernard

repeated vaguely.
"

We

must

n't mind
"

them,"
We
must

said

Gordon, with
our

con

scientious
at

laugh.
we

toughen
our

hides

; or,

the

worst,
we

must

plaster up
this
of

bruises. and
"

But hour Are

why
for
we

should

choose the

place particular
life ?
"

talkingof
not

pains

he

went

on.

in the midst

of its

pleasures?
What
that you

I mean,
are

hence

forth,to cultivate
now, must

its

pleasures.

yours, Paris

just
one

Bernard
amuse
"

Is n't it

supposed
How have

in

one's self ?

been

amusing

yourself?
"

have

been

leading

very

quiet life," said

when have
?"

Bernard.
"

I notice been
?

that 's what

people always

say

they
you

have
done

particularlydissipated.
have
silent
some

What knows

Whom
was seen

you
a

seen

that

one

Bernard
"

moment.

I have
"

old Mrs. made

friends Vivian this looked

of and

yours,"he
her

said

at

last.
"

I have
!
"

seen

daughter."
and then

Ah

Gordon

exclamation,
at

stopped
was

short.
away

Bernard
; his

him, but
some

Gordon
one

looking
crowd. and

eyes

had

caught

in had

the

Bernard then Gordon

followed
went
on

the direction
"

they
the

taken,

Talk

of

devil

CONFIDENCE.

271
not

"

excuse
"

the

adage

Are

those

the

ladies

in

question ?
Mrs. among of

Vivian
a

and many
at

her

daughter

were,

in

fact,seated
a

great

other the

quiet people,in
of
two

couple
avenue.

hired
were

chairs,
turned

edge
our

the

great

They

toward

friends,and
the

when

Bernard

distinguished them,
were

in

well-dressed
Gordon

multitude, they

looking straight at

Wright.
"

They
You

see

you that
"

"

said

Bernard.
to
run

"

say

as

if I wished

away," Gor
away
;
on

don

answered.
want

I
to

don't want

to

run

the

contrary, I
"That's vanced Mrs.
as

speak

to them."

easily done," said Bernard, and

the two
and
;

they

ad

to

ladies.
her

Vivian
came

daughter

rose

from

their chairs

they

they
had with made

had

evidently rapidly exchanged

that it would
to

observations,and
their interview He

decided Gordon his

as

facilitate
him the
ex

Wright
to

receive

standing.

way he

them

through
did when

crowd, blushing deeply,

cited ; hands
with then with he each stood of

always

there

bare-headed,
a

shaking

them,

with say.

fixed Bernard

smile, and
watched
a

nothing, apparently,to
; she
was

Angela's face
tiful smile.
"

giving his companion

was

beau

Mrs.
sure

Vivian it
was

delicatelycordial.
said

was

you,"

Gordon

at

last.

"We

were

just talking of you."

272
"

CONFIDENCE.

Did

Mr.

Longueville deny
"

it had
!
"

was

we

"

asked
we

Mrs.
had
"

Vivian, archly ;
made I knew
an

after
on

we

supposed

that

impression
you
were

him Paris

'

in Gordon

we

were
"

in the act I
am

of

talking of you,"
to
see

went

on.

very

glad

you."
had shaken
and in

Bernard

hands, with her eyes,

was as

Angela, lookingat
his
own

her

intently;
to
was

met

them,

it seemed At

him she
was

that there

gleam
Gordon,

of
or

mockery.
at to

whom

mocking

"

at

him
care

self ?
to

Bernard mocked be.

uncomfortable he

enough
more

not

be

; but

felt

even

sorry

that Gor

don
"

should We

also

knew

you

were

coming
Vivian

"

Mr.
"

Longue
we

ville had been

told

us," said

Mrs.

and

have
Dear

expecting the pleasure of seeingBlanche.

!
"

little Blanche
"

Dear

little Blanche

will

immediately

come

and

see
"

you," Gordon Immediately,

be
to
so

replied.
we

hope," said
Bernard

Mrs.

Vivian.
that

"

We

shall
wished poor

very

glad."

perceived

she
to

say
;

something soothing and having it,as having

he
once

sympathetic
her him
con

Gordon

supposed, on

science

that, after
himself
as

encouraged
the should

to

regard

indispensable (in happiness,she

a

capacity
now

of

son-in-law)to
to

her

present
had
so

him

the

spectacle of
his

which felicity aid.

estab very

lished

itself without

"We

were

CONFIDENCE.

273

much
"

interested

in
so
"

your
so

marriage,"she
the

went

on.

We

thought

it

delightful."
on

Gordon
"

fixed his eyes it much and

ground
answered.

for

a
"

moment.

owe

partlyto you," he
for

You

had

done
her

so

Blanche.

You
manners

had

so

cultivated

mind
were

polished her
I

that her attrac

an

tions
them."

doubled, and

fell

easy

victim

to

He

uttered

these

words

with
was

an

exaggerated solem produce, for

Bernard of
a a mo

nity, the
ment,
an

result of which
almost

to

embarrassing
more

silence.

was

rapidly becoming
own

and
now

more

impatient

his loud

embarrassment,

and

he exclaimed, in

and
"

jovialvoice
Blanche

"

makes
;

victims
we are

by

the

dozen
!
"

was

victim
"

last winter little

all victims
!
"

Dear

Blanche

Mrs.

Vivian

murmured

again. Angela
don, and
had

said
no

nothing; she
to

had

simply
herself
reserve

stood Gor
or

there,making yet

attempt
no

address
of

to

with Now

affectation

of
to

indifference.

she seemed

to feel the

impulse

speak
"

to him.

When

Blanche with

comes

to

see

us,
a

you

must

be

sure

to

come

her," she said,with

at

friendlysmile.

Gordon
"

looked
were so

her, but he said nothing.

to

We

sorry

hear

she

is out

of

health,"

Angela

went

on.

18

274 Still Gordon

and expressive
"

CONFIDENCE.

was

silent,with
face.

his eyes

fixed

on

her

charming

It is not

he murmured serious,"
to

at last.

"

She
also

used

be

so

well have

"

so

said Angela, bright/' desire

to

who

appeared
and made

to

the

say

some

thing

kind

comfortable.
no

Gordon
at

response

to

this ; he

only looked
broke

her.
"

hope

you

are

well, Miss

Vivian," he

out

at last.
"

Very well, thank

Do We Do

you."
?"
tent

"

you have
you

live in Paris

"

pitched our
like it ?
no worse
"

here

for the

present."

"

"

I find it

than
to

other
to

places."
talk

Gordon

appeared
think of for

desire
to at

with

her; but
her

he could
was a

nothing looking

say.

Talking with

pretext

her ; and
so

Bernard, who
as

thought

she had

never

been

handsome her troubled

should

at

that

moment, particular
could
conceive easily

smiling at
that

ex-lover,
desire to

his friend

prolong
"

this
you

privilege.
been

Have

here long ? sitting

at

"

Gordon

asked,

thinking of something
"

last.
came

Half

an

hour.

We
It

out
we

to

walk, and
turn

my

mother

felt tired.

is time

should

home

ward," Angela added.

"

Yes, I

am

tired,my

daughter.

We

must

take

276

CONFIDENCE.

so

Gordon differently,"
so

continued.

"

I used

to think to be

her
now
"

mysterious simple."
said

"

so

ambiguous.

She

seems

so

Ah,"
!"

Bernard, laughing, that 's an

"

improve

ment
"

So

simple and
his head
must

so

good
on

"

Gordon

exclaimed.

Bernard

laid his hand

his

companion's shoulder,

shaking
"You

slowly.
not

think

too

much

about

that," he

said.
"

So

simple

"

so

good

"

so

charming

!"

Gordon

repeated.
"

Ah,

my

dear

Gordon

"

Bernard

murmured.

But
"

still Gordon

continued.
so

So

reasonable, so intelligent,
you discovered

sensible."
in
two

"Have
talk
"

all that

minutes'

"

Yes,
her

in two
now

minutes'
!
"

talk.

should

n't hesitate

about
"

It 's better

you

should

n't say It

that,"said Bernard.
seems

"

Why
to
"

should
say

n't I say it ?

to

me

it 's my

duty
"

it."

No

your
are

duty

lies

elsewhere," said
One is

Bernard.
you

"

There

two

reasons.

that

have

married
"

another

woman." does that make

to
answer

What

difference made
went
on no

"

cried Gordon. this

Bernard he

attempt
"

inquiry ;

simply

CONFIDENCE.

277
is
"
"

"

The

other is
here

"

the other

But
"

he

paused.
other
?
"

What
That I

is the
am

Gordon

asked. Miss Vivian."

off Gordon's

"

engaged to
this Bernard

marry took

And

with

his hand

shoulder.
Gordon
"

stood

staring.
Vivian
?
"

To

marry that

Miss

Now

Bernard

had

heard

himself
his

say

it,

loudly,the spell of audibly,distinctly,

sion seemed
"

apprehen

broken, and
to
a

he went
very

on

bravely.
has all
to you
come

We

are

be married few

shortly. It
It will like
seem

about

within
"

weeks.
you won't

very

strange
have

perhaps
to

it.

That

's

why

hesitated

tell

you."
it
;
was

Gordon had
He
"

turned
seen

pale ;
do
so

the

first time did

not

Bernard like it.

ever

him

evidently he

stood

staringand
I

frowning.
"

Why,

thought
that you
so,

thought,"he began
her
!
"

at last"

"

I
"

thought
I
over

disliked

supposed
that." turnsd crowd.
very you

too," said

Bernard.

"

But

I have

got

Gordon
into
"

away, Then

looking

up

the

great avenue
"

the I
am

turning back, surprised." pleased !

on
"

he said

much
are

"

And

not

Gordon
"

fixed his eyes

on

the
your

ground

moment.

congratulateyou

engagement," he

said

278
at

CONFIDENCE.

last, looking up
hard
and

with

face

that

seemed

to

Ber

nard
"

unnatural.

It is very

good

of you I
was

to
sure

say

that,but
would with you
a

of

course

you But

can't like it ! what could

run

you

n't like it.

I do ?

I fell in love
to

her, and

couldn't

away

simply

spare
"

surprise.

My
to

dear it."
"

Gordon," Bernard

added,

you

will get used

said Gordon, dryly. Very likely,"

time."

"

But

you

must

give me
"

As

long

as

you

like !
a

"

Gordon the
"

stood

for

moment

down again staring

at

ground. Very well, then,

!"

I will

take

my

time," he

said.

"

Good-bye
And
"

he turned
are

away,

as

if to walk
"

off alone.

Where

you

going ?
the

asked

Bernard, stopping

him.
"

I don't

know
to what

"

to

hotel,anywhere.
told me."
come

To

try

to

get used
"

you

have

Don't

try

too

hard ; it will

said of itself,"

Bernard. "We And

"

shall see!" Gordon

you

turned

away go alone will

to

again.
?
"

Do

preferto
"

"

Very

much

if you you

excuse
a

me

"

"I

have
!
"

asked

excuse

greater

want

of

ceremony

said Bernard,

smiling.

CONFIDENCE.

279

"

have

not

done
he

so

yet

"

Gordon
the

rejoined
crowd.

and

marching
Bernard

off,

mingled
him

with
till he

watched
into

lost

sight
chair

of

him,
he

and

then,
lie
sat

dropping
and

the

first

empty
friend

that

saw,

reflected had feared.

that

his

liked

it

quite

as

little

as

he

XXVI.

BERNARD
a

sat

thinking for
"

long
at

time

; at
a

first with

good

deal

of mortification He

last with

good deal
was

of

bitterness.
with and

felt angry
He
\vas

at last ; but

he

not

angry

himself.
with and

displeased

with
was

poor
un

Gordon,

Gordon's he
to
no was

displeasure. He
at

comfortable, formed,
ation
;

vexed
no

his

discomfort.

It

it seemed

him,

natural

part

of his situ

he had he

had

glimpse
a

of it in the page

book

of fate

where
to
a

registeredon

fair blank

his betrothal

charming girl. That

even a

Gordon
and

should

be
"

surprised,
was

and

little shocked his

annoyed
had
to

this
been the

his

right
for it.

and

privilege; Bernard
had
not

prepared
best limits of
to

that,
But

and

determined
go
too

make
were

it must of

far ; there that he

was

the

morsel

humble

pie
in

disposed
and and
"

to

swallow. he
ous

Something
off in
a

Gordon's

air

figure,as danger
a

went

huff, looking vicious

his positively look

"

yes, that

was

left
a

sin

ister

impression
him like !

on

Bernard's take
what

mind, and, after

in

while,
One
ex-

made
would

glad
to

to

refuge

being

angry.

know

Gordon
Bernard
to

expected, par
give
up

cmplc

Did

he

expect

Angela

CONFIDENCE.

281
to back out

simply to
gagement
too

save

him
way

shock
an

or

of his

en

by

of

ideal

reparation?
had
a

No, it
of

was

absurd, and,
in the
?
name

if Gordon of

wife
not

his

own,

why
one

justiceshould

Bernard

have

Being

angry

was

but relief,
at

it

was

not

exactly a

solution, and
for
an

Bernard,
or

where last, leavinghis place,

hour of

two

he

had
went

been
on

absolutely uncon
around

scious

everything that
for At
one some

him,

Avan-

dered

about

time
moment
see

in

deep

restlessness
of

and back then

"

irritation.
to

he

thought
to

going
But

Gordon's

hotel,to
aware

him,
was

explain.
angry

he became
say

that

he

too

for that

to

nothing

of

Gordon's
there
was

being

too

angry
to

also ; and, He

moreover,
was

that

nothing
; that

explain.
a

to marry
"

Angela
no

Vivian

was

very
so

simple
wonder

fact

it needed

explanation.
incident

Was
so

it

ful,so inconceivable,an
pen with
?

unlikelyto hap Sunday,

of his
to
as

He Mrs. in

went,

as

he
and

always

did

on

to dine

Vivian,
the
two

it seemed
some

to him

that he per
a

ceived
composure

ladies
had

symptoms

dis
own.

which
on

the

same

origin as
failed fast
"

Bernard,
himself
had every upon
no

this

occasion,

at

dinner,
he
ate

make if he

particularly agreeable;
idea
now

what and

he

was

eating,and
eyes rested

talked
for
some

little ; time
expres

then
with
were a

his

Angela,
if he

strange,eagerly excited

sion, as

looking her

over

and

trying to

282

CONFIDENCE.

make
bore

up his

his mind

about

her afresh.
a

This young deal

of

lady
super

inscrutable
;

scrutiny with
but
from she
was

ficial composure returned

unusual his

also
to

silent,and
with
an

she
air of of first

gaze,

time
was

time,

anxiety.
Bernard

She
to

thinking,of
and
a

course,

Gordon,

said

himself;
with
an

woman's
must

meeting, in
make
ever,
a

after years,

ex-lover her.

always
how

certain
never

impression
been
was a

upon

Gordon,

had

lover, and
not

if Bernard

noted

Angela's gravity it
"

because
he

he said

felt
to

jealous.
himself
;

She

is

simply

sorry had

for

him,"

and
to

by the time he
come

finished that
sorry he
as

his dinner
was

it

began
Mrs.

back
was

to

him

sorry, too. she

a

Vivian

probably
and

well, for
"

had

confused slightly

preoccupiedlook
of his It had

look

from
ex

which,
tracted

even

in the

midst

Bernard chagrin,
was

some

entertainment. conscience that

Mrs.

Vivian's of

intermittent
one

been

reminded

of its

lapses; her meeting

the
when of
a

with

Gordon

Wright
counsel and

had
"

recalled the
the

least

exemplary episode of her life

time
ear

she

whispered
who

mercenary

in

daughter
eyes

sat, grave

pale,

looking
blushed
and
woman,

at
a

her with little now,

that wondered. she she

as was

Mrs. Vivian
eyes
;

when

met

Bernard's after all

a

to remind

herself that
as

virtuous

talked harmless

much
"

possible about beauty of

the

superior
autumn

and

things

the

weather, the pleasureof seeing French

papas

walking

284
"

CONFIDENCE.

If he liked you,

why

did

he

give you
"

" up ?

"

He What

did n't do

give me
yon her.
"

up." please?
asked

"

mean,

Bernard,

staringback
"

at

I sent

him

away you

I refused

him," said Angela.

of

"Yes;
mother
had

but

thought

better

it, and
ask
was

your you that

persuaded you
had better
"

that

if he should

again,you
he backed
on

accept

him.

Then

it

out

in consequence

of what

I said to him

his return

from

England."
with slowly,
you
are
a

She

shook
poor ask
me

her head

strange smile.

"My
He
"

Bernard,

talking very

wildly.

did

again."
"

That The
I

night? night he

cried Bernard.
came

"

back

from

England
"

"

the last

time
"

saw

him, until to-day."

I had denounced you
?
our

After

puzzled hero
small effect of

exclaimed, frowning portentously.

"

am

sorry
!
"

to

let you

know

the

your

words

Bernard

folded and stood

his

hands

together
"

almost

de

voutly
"

gazing at

her with

inartic long,

ulate
"

murmur

of satisfaction.

Ah

then,
of
a

did n't
?"

injure you

"

did n't de

prive
"

you

chance

Oh, sir, the

!
"

intention exclaimed.

on

your

part

was

the

same

Angela
all my ?
"

"Then wasted

uneasiness, all my
on.

remorse,

were

he

went

CONFIDENCE.

285

But
ness

she

kept
gave
a

the

same

tone, and
sweetness

its tender
to his
sense

arch of

only

greater

relief.
"

It You

was

very

small
him

penance

for you

to

pay."
was

"

dismissed
?
"

and definitely,

that

why

he

vanished "He gave

asked

Bernard, wondering still.

'chance,'
to
as

me

another
I declined

you

elegantly
of it." sorry for

express
"

it,and

take

advantage
"

Ah, well, now," cried

!
"

Bernard,

am

him
"

was

very

kind

"

very the

said Angela. respectful,"

bottom of my

"

thanked
his it
was

him

from very I

heart ; I
wrong
"

begged
wrong

pardon
"

humbly
was

for the him.

if

that

doing
he

I did n't in leave

no

the least
at
seven

require of
o'clock would
to

him
next

that

should

Baden idea that I go

the
so,

morning.
that
we was

I had
reason

that

he

do

and

the

insisted away.

my

mother
we

that I

ourselves

should
about

When
gone, wish

went

knew
he

nothing
was

his
I

having
did n't

and
to

I
meet

supposed
him

still there.

again."
with slowly, softly,
as

Angela
pauses the while eyes

gave

this

information

between

the sentences,
with
a

if she

were

recalling
mean

circumstances

certain

effort ; and

Bernard, with
fixed upon her

his

transfigured face

and

his

was lips,

moving excitedlyabout
then
!
"

the
"

room.

Well,

he

can't

accuse

me,

he

broke

out

286

CONFIDENCE.

again.
than
"

"

If what

I said had

no

more
no

effect upon

him

did him that,I certainly I think you

are

wrong."
he did n't believe

rather

vexed

you," said Angela.

"

I confess He

I don't

understand
not

it.

He

had
a man

all the

air of it.
was

had certainly rush off and

the air of the

who
of

going to
It

give you
of

last

proof

his confidence."
"

was

not

proof
do it

confidence,"said Angela.
me.

"

It had

nothing to
and you
;

with
was more a

It

was

as

between

himself He
did

proof of independence.
and less,
"

believe
with

you,
own

or

what

you

said

fell in

his

impressions strange impres

poor
man

sions that
as

they were,

!
was

At
out

the

same

time,

I say, he liked me,

too ; it ! too

of his

me liking

that all his trouble

act

came

He

caught himself
"

in the

of

to listening

you

credulously
dishonorable.
to

and

that
sen

seemed
sation

to him

unmanly
it
a

and
a

The
prove

brought with
that in such

reaction, and
he could
an

to

himself

matter

be

influenced
had

by nobody, he
talked
with

marched

away,

hour
of his of my

after he

you,

and, in the teeth

perfectmis irregularities
me

trust, confirmed
"

by

your

account

heaven

forgiveyou
But he

both !

"

again asked
refuse !
!
"

to

be

his wife.
"

hoped
"

I would
"

Ah,

"

cried Bernard,
"

the recreant

He

deserved

"

he deserved
"

That

I should

accept him

"

Angela asked, smil

ing still.

CONFIDENCE.

287

Bernard
seemed
to

was

so

much make
to

affected such lift such

out
a

by

this revelation,it
in his off his
own

him

to

difference
a

and responsibility

weight
into

con

science, that

he

broke

again

the

liveliest

of ejaculations
"

relief.
care

Oh,
I

I don't

for

anything, now,
may my
am

and
and I

can

do

what sorry
no
"

please!

Gordon

hate

me,

I shall
owe

be

for him

; but

it 's not
no

fault,and
free !
"

him

reparation. No,
It 's

; I

only

I who

am

not, I suppose," said

come

Angela,
If

"and

the

reparation must
I must take

from

rue!

he

is

unhappy,
"

the

responsibility.'' kissingher.
?
"

Ah But

yes, of course," said Bernard,

"

why

should

he
was

be

unhappy
he

asked

Angela.
"

If I refused
"

him,

it

what

wanted."

He

is hard
a

to

please,"Bernard please him,

mused that
a

rejoined.

He

has

got

wife

of

his own."

"If

Blanche
"

doesn't

he

is
"

certainly
But you
so

difficult ; told
me

and

Angela day

little.
were

the

other

they

gettingon

well."

"Yes,

I
a

believe

told

you,"

Bernard

answered,

musing
"

little too.
are

You

not
am

attendingto
thinking
it
was

what

say."
else
"

"

No,

of

something
made had you

am

thinking
that way,

of what
at

that

refuse

him

the

last, after you

stood

let your

mother

hope."

And

Bernard

there, smiling at her.

2"8
"

CONFIDENCE.

Don't

think

any

more

; you

will not

find out,"the

girldeclared,turning away.
"

Ah,

it all

was

cruel

of you

to
went

let
on

me
"

think
;

I
at

was

wrong

these you
more

years," he
meant to

and,
you

the

time, since
have
"

refuse

him,

might

been I

frank my

with had

me." been
that I
was

thought

fault

too

frank."
"

was

densely stupid,and
better."

you

might

have

made

me

understand

"Ah,"
! girl
"

said

Angela, "you

ask

great deal

of

"Why
that my
"

have

you words I had

let

me

go had you
"

on

so

long thinking
Gordon
?

deluded

had done

an

effect upon
a

feeling that
real to me,
and
me

brutal I have

wrong told

It of

was

the

Wrong

and

you

the pangs
it has until At
cost

the shame
!

which,
you

for
never

so

many

months,
me

Why
then

have

undeceived
?"

to-day,and
this

only by

accident
a

question Angela
"

blushed

little ; then

she

answered, smiling
"

It

was

my

vengeance."
his head.
do
"

Bernard
"

shook
won't you
were

That
"

you
too

don't
to

mean

it.
;

You

never

cared

proud

care

and
even

when know

spoke
what

to

you
meant.
remorse

about You
was

my

fault,you

did n't

might

have

told

me,

therefore,

that my

idle,that what

I said to Gordon

CONFIDENCE.

289

had
the

not

been

of the
come

smallest
from

consequence,

and

that

rupture had
some

yourself."
said

For

time him face

want
remorse one

Angela
of the

nothing,then
serious

at

last with

she
which
"

gave her

deeply

looks

was

ornamented. occasionally

If you

reallyto know,
seemed affection ; had
to
a me

then

"

can't you in
a

see

that your way You that with

connected
of

certain of it ?

your

sort

guarantee
one or

thought you
seemed
to

injuredsome
up with

other, and
and

be mixed

your

lovingme,
is all gone,

therefore
"

I let it alone."
"

Ah," said Bernard,

I love wrong you you

my

remorse

and
!

yet I think
you
"

about
were

as

much

as

ever

So

see

how wrong

not
care

to tell me."

The I would you

to you

I don't you made for

about. Mr.

It is very

true

might

have

told have
him

for him

Wright's sake.
better.
But it seemed

It
as

perhaps

look

never

attacked
me

deserting me,

needless
"

for

to defend

him."
"

confess," said
Gordon's
now
"

Bernard,
in the

am

quite
Is he You you, would And

at

sea

about better very you

look
or

matter.

looking
put
it

is he
; I not.

looking
was

worse?

well
said

just now
I
was

attending to hoped
you

though
refuse

If he

him, with
was

whom cool

is his
to
me

quarrelat present ?
for months

why
should

he
?

so

after of
"

we

parted at

Baden he
accuse

If that
me

was

his

state

mind, why

of

? inconsistency
19

290

CONFIDENCE.

"

There

is

something
I would
was

in

that it,after all,

know

woman

can

understand.

don't refuse

whether

man

can.

He done

hoped
so

him, and
After
a

yet when
his

had

he

vexed. he married I

while

vexation

subsided,

and

poor

Blanche;
you,

but,

on

learning to-day that

up

had
was

accepted
natural

it flickered
; but

again.
be What

I suppose

that

enough

it

won't
"

serious."
will had
not
come

be

serious,my
back
not to the

dear?

"

asked

Mrs. and in

Vivian, who

drawing-room,
the attribute

could who, apparently,

hear

that

question was
alarm.
"

wanting

in any

without direction,

some

Shall

I tell mamma, my your dear

Bernard

"

said
it 's

Angela.
nothing
that

"

Ah,

child, I

hope

threatens with
"

mutual

mamma happiness,"

murmured,

gentleearnestness.
Does it threaten
on,
our

mutual

Bernard happiness,

"

the
"

girlwent
Let make Mrs.
us

smiling.
decide whether
we

Vivian

ought
"Dear

to

let

it

miserable,"
are a

said

Bernard.
this is Mr.
a

Mrs.

Vivian, you
"

casuist,and
about poor

nice case."
?
"

Is it

anything

Wright

the elder

lady inquired.
"

Why

do

'

'

you

say

poor

Mr.

Wright
is not

"

asked

Bernard.
"

Because

am

sadly afraid

he

happy

with

Blanche."

292 "You

CONFIDENCE.

can

answer

me

at

your

she rejoined, leisure,"

turning away.
"

It You

was

because would

I adored that

you."
at

"

n't say

your

said the leisure,"

girl.
Mrs. Vivian stood
are so

watching them.
happy
who
are

"You,
think
"

who

together, you

ought

to

kindly

of

others

less fortunate."
; and

That

is very of any

true, Mrs.
one so

Vivian
as

I have

never

thought
the last

kindly

I have

of Gordon

for

year."
turned
so

Angela
"

round
very for

again.
bad, then
"

Is Blanche You will

see

"

"

yourself!

"

Ah, no," said

very

Mrs. I
am

Vivian,
so

"

she

is not

bad be
near

she
us

is

only

light.
a

glad
can

she is to
be

again.
tion.

I think
must

great

deal

done
I think

by
we

associa

We

help her, Angela.

helped

her before."
"

It is also very

true

that

she is
if you

Mrs. Vivian," light,

could make

Bernard

observed,

"and be

her

little heavier, I should Bernard's

a

tremendously grateful."
looked
at

prospective mother-in-law

him

little.
"

I don't

know

whether
you I
are.

you But

are

laughing at
shall any
come

me

always

think
for that.

not

give

up

Blanche
once

never

give up
will

one

that
to

I have me."

tried to

help.

Blanche

back

CONFIDENCE.

293

Mrs. little
Bernard

Vivian

had
of

hardly
her door-bell

spoken
was

when
in

the the

sharp
hall.

vibration

heard

stood

for

moment

looking

at

the

door

of

the

drawing-room.
"

It

is

poor

Gordon

come

to

make

scene

"

he

announced.
what that
"

"

Is

that

yon Mrs.

mean

he

opposed

your

marriage
"

"

asked

Vivian,
he

with

frightened
to

air.
with

don't said

know

what

proposes

do

Blanche,"
There
were

Bernard,
voices in

laughing.
the hall.

Angela

had

been

listening.
"

You

say

she

will

come

back is arrived

to

you, !
"

mamma,"

she

exclaimed.

"

Here

she

XXVII.

AT

the Mrs.

same

moment

the
on

door the

was

thrown

open, with instant

a

and

Gordon behind the

appeared
her.

threshold
stood
an

gentleman looking into

a

Blanche
and

lightedroom

hesitating
"

flushed

little, smiling,extremely pretty.

"

May

come

in ?
?
"

"

she

said, and
"

may

bring in

Captain
The
with the

Lovelock

two

ladies, of
demonstration

course,

toward fluttering
drew hospitality,

her

every
room,

of

her into

while

Bernard
with

proceeded
a

to

greet

the
and

Captain, who
bashful
stature

advanced almost

certain

awkward his

majesty,
Mrs.

sweeping
between

with

great
was a

Vivian's of the

humble
embraces

ceiling.

There Blanche
no

tender her

exchange

and

friends, and
to

losing charming visitor,

her usual

time,
Mrs.

began
Vivian welcome
him
"
"

chatter

with

volubility.

and

Angela

made

her

companion
would

graciously
n't mind

; but

Blanche

begged they
him
as a

she

had

only brought
is
on

watch-dog.
said.
"

His

place

the

rug,''she
on

Captain

Lovelock, go and
"

lie down

the

rug."
else but
rugs in

Upon

my

soul, there

is

nothing

CONFIDENCE.

295 look Captain rejoined,

"

these

French
Mrs.

places!

"

the

ing
mean

round
?
"

Vivian's

salon.

Which

rug

do

you

Mrs. very that

Vivian

had
to

remarked
come

to

Blanche Blanche
on

that it

was

kind she

of her could

and first,

declared her

not
seen

have

laid her
Mrs. wait
a

head

pillow

before
"

she had
you
"

her dear
I would

Vivian. because
I
am mar

Do

suppose

ried ?

she.

with inquired,
"

keen
so

little smile married

much
as

in her

charming
I
can

eyes.
!

I Do

am

not

much

that,
if I

tell you

you
no one

think
to

I look

as

were

married,

with

bring me
is

here

to-night

but "I

Captain
am

Lovelock

"

sure

Captain
Vivian. afraid it

Lovelock

very

gallant
afraid dread

said escort/'
"

Mrs.
was

Oh, he

not

"

that is,he

was

not

of the

journey, though Champs

to
come

lay all through those

But
come

ful wild
was

Elysees.
in
"

when
up
"

we

arrived,he

afraid

to

here.

Captain
all the

Lovelock
success

is he

so

modest,
in

you

know He

in will it in

spiteof
tell you

had he

America.
in

about
up

the

success

had

America;
army

quite
the

makes

for the

defeat
were

of the

British in the

Eevolution.

They
weren't

defeated

Eevolution, the
so, to

British,
insists
?
are
'

they?
not.

I
'

always
How
'

told him
we come

but be

he

they
I

were

do

free,then
that that
we

always

ask

him he

I suppose

you

admit says

free.'

Then

becomes

personal and

am

296 free
mean

CONFIDENCE.

enough, certainly.
; I

But

it's the

general
the

fact I

wish
think

you he
a

would
would

tell him believe

about you,

general
he all

fact. knows
that.

because

you

know
mean

great deal
this He

about

historyand
some

I don't

evening,but
want

time
in
a

when
"

it is convenient. wanted
to

didn't

to

come

he he
me

stay

in the carnage like

and

smoke

cigar;

thought
the

you

wouldn't
But

it, his coining with

he need mind n't. be him A Mrs. very

first time.

I told him

that,
care

for I would

certainlyexplain.
know that I for

I would

ful

to

let you
A

brought
whom
?

only

as

substitute.
for
course

substitute of
to
course.

substitute

my

husband,
I

My
you

dear
some

Vivian,

of

ought
"

bring
he is

pretty message
come

from

Gordon

that

dying

to

and and I

see

you,

only

that he had

nineteen from

letters to write his fireside.

excuses

that he
a

could n't

possiblystir ought
throw

suppose

good
what

wife
to

to invent

for her

husband

"

ought

herself
it ? think But I
am

into I
am

the

breach; isn't that

I
am

they call
Do You
a

afraid

not

good
and seri

wife. ville ?
you had

you

good wife,
months ask

Mr. with

Longueus,

once

stayed
to
see.

three

chance
you say

I don't

you

that I And

ously, because
do ; the
too
am so

never

tell the
not
a

truth. wife.

always
then
I
am

I will

am

good
too

breach

is too

big,and
; I

am

little.
am

Oh,

Mrs. little,

Vivian
woman

know

too
can

little.

the smallest

living ;

Gordon

scarcely

CONFIDENCE.

297
I

see

me

with

microscope, and
one

believe He
the

he

has
to

the

most

powerful

in

America.
is
one

is

going

get

another abroad

here ; that
for ;

of do
?

things he
I do

came

perhaps
I, Mrs.
other. could

it will

better. I have

tell the

truth, don't
have
you
"

Vivian You say

that
me so

merit, if I
at at

n't any said you

once

told

Baden any
to

one

thing for
You
on,
were

me,

rate
me

that I did n't tell fibs.

very her

nice

at

Baden,"

Blanche
her

went

with of her

little intent
"

smile, laying
see,

hand

in that

hostess.
to

You
my He
no

have

never

forgotten it.
tell the
n't truth
"

So,
about

keep
Gordon.
He

up

I reputation,

must

simply
reason

said

he

would

come

voila ! any
out

gave

and

he

did n't send

you

pretty message.
somewhere
I don't else. know
to

He

simply declined, and

you
see

he went

So

he

is n't

writing letters.
;

where

he

can

have

gone it isn't

perhaps he
proper
to

has gone
go
to

the

theatre.
on

I know

the

theatre
at

Sunday
and
it does n't I

evening;
as

but

they
does

say

charity begins
at

home,

Gordon's

n't

begin

home,
him

per

haps
he he
a

n't
come

begin anywhere.
with do
as me

I told
come

that

if

would said humor much I

am

I would
"

alone, and
was

might
for

I chose

that

lie
to

not

in

making
; I

visits. been

I wanted

come

to you

very and

had

thinking
Then every I

about in

it all the

day

so

fond

o-f a visit like

this

evening,
you
a

without

being
salon
"

invited.

thought perhaps
one

had

doesn't

in

Paris

have

298 salon

CONFIDENCE.

tried to

have

salon

in

New
was

York, only
n't in
?
our

Gordon
manners.

said it would Is this

a

n't do.
salon

He

said it

Mrs. to-night,
so

Vivian
to
see

Oh,

do

say

it is ; I should in been
me a

like

much

Captain

Lovelock
to have

salon

By good fortune
ns

he

happened
he
must

dining with
I told you
"

so

I told him

bring

here.

I would I

explain,Captain
you

Lovelock," she added,

made it clear."

and

hope
red

think

have

The

Captain

had

turned
He
sat

very

during this
his beard

wan

dering

discourse.

pulling
with

and

the position which, shifting

his stalwart
"

person,

he had
furniture

taken

up

on

little gilded chair

now

piece

of

which

every

and

then

gave

delicate

creak.
"I

always

understand

you

well

enough
a

till you
even

with begin to explain,"he rejoined,

candid,
I'm

if in

embarrassed,
the woods.
most
"

laugh. "Then,
You
see

by Jove,
lot
more

quite

such
n't

in

things
?
"

than

people. Does
Blanche has
a

she, Miss

Vivian

fine the

imagination," said
visitor. upon

Angela,

smiling frankly at
When
of her Blanche

charming

was

adrift fairly
was

the current
habit tacit
a

articulate
"

it reflections, it
was a

the
of

of her agree and

companions
ment

indeed,
them
sat
"

sort

among

simply
and

to

make
at
on

circle
"

admire.

They

about
at

looked

her

yawn very

ing,perhaps, a little

times, but

the whole

300

CONFIDENCE.

said
ant

shortly before
to

she

came

in, and
Gordon

it

was

not

pleas

him

to

think in

that

had

been

occupied
the

half world
was

the

day

contrasting the

finest

girl in

with

this

magnified butterfly. The

sat

contrast
near

strikingas Angela sufficiently

still, bending her
hands handsome

there
a

her,

very her but

next not
own.

head
on

with little,

crossed

in her

lap,and
Vivian

her
was

lipsa
on

kind sofa
was

inscrutable
to

smile.
one

Mrs. of

the it

Blanche,

whose

hands,

when

otherwise

took occupied,she occasionally

into her

"Dear

little Blanche!"

she

softlymurmured, longer pause

She

at

intervals.
These

few

remarks
often

represent

than

Mrs.
to

Gordon
deliver

suffered to
upon
we a

occur.

continued it

herself
where

hundred
her up.
we

topics,and

hardly
"

matters

take

I have

n't the

least idea
to

what

are

going

to do.

I have
tells
me

nothing
every Lovelock

say I

about
must

it whatever.

Gordon
then I

day

decide, and
thinks
;

ask
see,

Captain
he he So

what
a

he

because, you
Lovelock

always
does you
on

thinks
care a

great deal.
"

Captain

says I go.
to

n't
see

fig

that

he will go wherever
us

that does
some

n't carry

very

far.

I want

settle
go, but better will

place help
not to

where
me

Captain
all.
us

Lovelock

won't

he for

won't
him

at

I think
; don't

it will -look you

follow
Vivian

think I
care

it in

look

better, Mrs.

Not

that

CONFIDENCE.

301 whether take

the
lock

least where
follows
us,

we

go

"

or

Captain Love
any

either.
Vivian may go

I don't
; don't

interest

in

anything, Mrs.
sad? Gordon

you

think he

that is very
"

anywhere

likes

to

St.

Petersburg,or
"

to

Bombay."
go
to
a worse

You

might

place than
with

Bombay,"
of authority

said
an

Captain Lovelock, speaking

the

Anglo-Indian
Blanche
"

rich in reminiscences. him

a

gave

little stare.
on

Ah you

well, that 's knocked

the you

head
would

From
come

the after

way
us

speak
the
more

of it,1 I think But

we

think
uf

; and

that,the got
to

more

see

it

would
ern

n't do.

have
am

go

to

some

south n't the

place,because

very

unwell. with
me,

I have and any

least idea what's

any
one

the matter
that I
as am

neither

has

else ; but that

of it
out

does n't make

out

difference.

It 's settled well be

out
are

of health.

One

might

as

in

for all the advantage it is. it, any

rate
"

If you
abroad.

of

health, at
Gordon's
You-

you

can

come

It

was

discovery
see

he 's

always
I 'm
so

making
he silly;

discoveries.
can

it 's because down

to to

always put
I should the you

it

my

being

an

invalid.
would
on

What

like

do, Mrs.
you
"

Vivian,

be to sofa

spend
beside

winter and

with

just sitting
hand. It

the

holding your
; but

woukl it would
never

be rather tiresome
be better for
me

for you than you

reallythink
else. I have my

anything
were

forgottenhow

kind

to

me

before

302

CONFIDENCE.

marriage thing to
I should
room.

"

that
"

summer

at

Baden.

You

were

every
am

me

you

and if I

Captain
never

Lovelock.
out

sure

be You

happy
have my
own

went

of

this

lovely
"

got
room

it

so

beautifully arranged
it when

mean

to

do

just like

I go home. You and you

never

And used

you
to

have
say

got such

lovely clothes.
it,but
than I. you Are

anything
better serious
some

about

Angela always
"

always
so

had

clothes
"

quiet and

never

talkingabout
book you.
?

chiffons
I wish you

always reading
would let
me come

wonderful and

stay with
be too

If you He would

only
n't

ask me,
have live
to
over

Gordon

would about

delighted.
more.

trouble

me

any

He that's but
to

could the

go and of I

in the Latin
"

Quarter
of

"

desire

his heart know

and

think

nothing
manners

old for

bottles.
an

it is n't very
went

good
on,

beg
a

invita

tion/'Blanche
"

smiling with
a

gentler radi
one's
health.
one

ance

but

when
to
to

it 's

question
self alive

of
"

One

wants wants

keep

one's

does n't
It would

?
so

One

keep one's self going.

Mrs.
!
"

be

good
good
She
ess as

for for had she

to

me,
me

Vivian;

it would

reallybe
her
both

very

turned
talked

round
; and at

more

and

more

to

host

last she
sat

had

given
at

her
a

hands

Mrs.

Vivian, and

looking
and
were

her

with It
was

mixture singular hard

to

of earnestness Blanche

jocosity.

know
or a

whether

expressing a real
whether this

desire

momentary

caprice, and

CONFIDENCE.

303 be

were abrupt little petition

to

taken
in
a

or seriously,

treated
or

merely

as

dramatic

pose Her

series had

of

more

less

effective
a

attitudes.
she
was

smile

become her

almost

grimace,
; but

flushed, she
a

showed

pretty teeth
in her voice.
"

there

was

little passionatequiver

My

dear

child/'said Mrs. Vivian,

have if
we

"

we

should
we

be

delighted to
be
so

you could very

pay do
soon

us

and visit, an}

should
I
am

happy
you
to
a
"

you

good.
of

But
us,

afraid

would

get tired
our

and is
be
a
"

I
to

ought
be
a
"

tell you, broken

frankly,that
up. You know

little home there is to

a

change," the good lady continued, with

hesitation
on

which

apparentlycame
ground, while
and

from she

sense

of with

walking
a

uncertain
Bernard Blanche
cent
"

glanced

smile

at

Angela.
sat

there
"

with

her little excited,yet inno

;

too

innocent

stare

her eyes
for
an

followed

Mrs
for

Vivian's.
some

They
at

met

Bernard's

instant,and
flushed.
to

reason,

this moment,
and

Bernard
away

He

rose

quickly

walked

the

window
"

where devil
"

he stood
the
even

looking out into the darkness.

"he
we

The

devil! know able

to

murmured
are

to

himself; "she
"

does n't

to

be
to

married

Gordon And Gor

has n't been

this fact

trust

himself
with
not

tell her ! "

as

seemed
of

pregnant

evidence
appear

to

don's

state

mind;
After
a

it did

to

simplify
stood

the situation.

moment,

while

Bernard

304 there and

CONFIDENCE.

with
foolish

his back
"

turned

"

he felt rather

awkward

he

heard

Blanche

begin

with

,her

little

voice. surprised
"

Ah, you
that 's
not

are

going away
;
we

?
can

You

are

going to travel together.

are

But
are

charming

travel then

You

going to
are

travel ?

What

you

going to
you

do ?
must

You

going back
soon as

to America

Ah, but
; that

n't do
or

that,as

come

abroad your
to

's not

nice

Mrs. friendly, You

are
'

Vivian,

to

poor America

little old
? ?

Blanche.

not

going back
's the ?

Ah,
Is
a

then,
it

give it

up

What

great mystery
There you
was

something
about

about

Angela
I I

always
mind my

mystery

Angela.
dear ; but he admires

hope
was

won't

saying it,my My
husband
"

always
so

afraid you

of you. know
never
"

you
to

much,
; but

has often understood.

you

tried to What
a

explain you
are

me

I have
now

you
?

going
Are

to

do

?
to

Are
be
"

going into

convent

you

going

A-a-h!"

And, suddenly, quickly,interrupting herself,Mrs.

Gordon her from
gave
a

long,wondering
the

cry.
two

Bernard other

heard
rise well ;

spring to her feet,and

their
seats.

ladies up
as

Captain Lovelock
knock
over

got

Bernard
There

heard
was a

him

his little

gilded chair.
went

pause,

during which
exhibition turned
of
to

Blanche
amazement

through

little mute

and

pleasure. Bernard
dozen

round,

receive

half

quick questions.

CONFIDENCE.

305
for ? do What
are

"

What

are

you
?

hiding
never saw

away you
so

you that
are

blushing for
before you
!

I do

anything like
what
it true

Why
me

you

look

strange,and
"

making

say?

Angela, is
Without

is there
the
an

something
swer

like that ? "

waiting for
threw

to

this last
"

question,Blanche My
own

herself upon

Mrs. she
"

VJ vian. married
?
"

Mrs.

Vivian," she

cried,

"

is

My
not

dear

Blanche,"
told

said Bernard, you

?

coming forward,
and I
are

"

has

Gordon
we

Angela

not

married, "but
knew
it
we
"

hope

to ;

be before
we

long.
have

Gordon

only
and it,

it this

morning

ourselves
is
no

only known
about

short

time. your

There

mystery

only

want

congratulations."
have I been
was

Well,
cried
all
a

I must

say you
"

very

quiet about
wrote

it ! " you
"

Blanche.

When

engaged, I

letter." she
wrote Io
me

By Jove,
went

"

observed

Captain

Lovelock.

Angela
"

to

her and
does n't
"

kissed her.
seem

Your

husband

to

have

pxplaiued

me

very

! successfully

Mrs.
at arm's

Gordon

held

Bernard's
both her

intended

for

-i

moment

length,with

hands, lot"ingat
wonder.

her

with folded
"

eyes her

of real excitement in
a

and

Then

she

prolonged,an
"

embrace. exaggerated,

Why

did n't he tell me

"

why

did n't he tell

me

"

she

presentlybegan.

He
20

has had

all

day

to

tell me,

306

CONFIDENCE.

and
out
more

it

was

very

cruel of him Could

? You it ?
"

to let

me

come

here

ith"

knowing
awkward
don't

it.

anything
don't Ah

be

more

absurd

think

it 's awkward
are

"

you

mind

well, you

very

good

But

I like it, Angela it's Has been

see

I like it extremely,immensely. I wonder

on

I think
to
me.

and delightful, it been

it

never

occurred
course,

going
! ?

long ? begin

Ah, of
at

it has

going

on

Did Do
were

'nt it you all

so

Baden,

and

did n't I that could

?

it there Baden
we

mind mixed
to

my

alluding to
up
!

At

that But

one

n't tell who has of

at

was

attentive

whom dear
; I

Ber
assure

nard
you look

been

very When
woman.

faithful, my
he
was

can

that. another He

in America I know in

he wouldn't
about he
;

something
my

that !
never

stayed three
to
me.

months I know
me

house Mr.

and Bernard The

want

spoke
you
was

Now told

why,
the I

but
son

might

have

at

time.

rea

certainlygood enongti, why,

you know. what
to

always
never

to

know

Why
sit down

Gordon
to

told
!
"

me,

for instance

; that V

T want

know

Blanche
that she
she
was

refused
so

again ;

she

declared
news

agitatedby quiet,and

this that

charming
she she times
must

that

could her
of

not

be

presently

take each Mrs.

departure.
her

Meanwhile
a

congratulated
;

friends

half

dozen

she

kissed
;

Vivian

again, she

almost

kissed
to

Bernard hear

she

inquiredabout
"

details ; she Of

longed

all about

Angela's things."

course

they

would

stop

for

308

CONFIDENCE.

thinking
tion
to

of

her.

He

will

never

permit
woman

his

imagina
very
sure

hover

about

married

am

of

that.

He

does

n't

approve
for

of

that

sort

of

thing,

and

he

has

the

same

law

himself

as

for

other

people."

"

It

does

n't

matter,"
mean,

said

Angela,

simply.
it doesn't
mat

"How

do

you

my

daughter,

ter

"

"

don't

feel

obliged
what

to

feel

so

sorry

for

him

now."

"

Now

Pray,
ever,

has

happened
heard

am

more

sorry

than

since

have

poor

Blanche's

dreadful
The

tone

about
silent

him."

girl

was

moment

then

she

shook

her

head,
"

lightly.
Her
tone
"

her

tone

Dearest love with

mother,
him !
"

don't

you

see

She

is

intensely

in

XXVIII.

THIS

observation
and

struck

Bernard

as

extremely in intelligence ;
of it for of it
to

genious
he the

worthy
with

of his mistress's

fine

greeted it
next
more

enthusiasm,
hours. The

and
more

thought
he

twelve

thought
he
went

the
Mrs. pose He de

felicitous the

it seemed
next

to

him,

and

Vivian's of
was

day

almost

for the

express
was

pur

saying to Angela that, decidedly,she

admitted

right.

by
had

his

old

friend,the
bestowed
as

little femme
upon

chambre, who

long
voice

since
; and

him,

her definitively, ber he heard

confidence of

in the

ante-cham raised from with and the

an

the
some

gentleman
come

talking with
salon, he

emphasis,
a

to

him
at

paused

moment,

looking

her

interrogative eye.
"

Yes," said Mrs.

Vivian's that

attendant,

"

I must is

tell

Monsieur

frankly
what

another it matter

gentleman
?

there.
would

Moreover,

does

Monsieur

perceive it
"

for himself

"

Has A

he

been

here
an

long ?
hour.
!
"

"

asked

Bernard.
n't
seem

"

quarter of
the

It

probably does
"

long to
"

gentleman
with

Is he

alone

Mademoiselle

310
"

CONFIDENCE.

He

asked

for

Mademoiselle

only.

introduced

him
a

into the salon, and with

Mademoiselle,
consented I

after
to

conversing
him. Mon her

little while have

Madame,

receive told

They

been about

alone three

as together,

have

sieur, since
own

o'clock.

Madame

is in

apartment.

The

position of Monsieur,"

added in

this

discriminating woman,
salon."

him "certainlyjustifies

entering the
Bernard
more was

quite of
crossed
closed there the the
on

this

opinion,and

in

moment

he

had and
sat

threshold
door
a

of the little draw him. with

ing-room Angela
hands don

behind

sofa, leaning back

her eyes

her
Gor if he face her

clasped in her lap and Wright,

been
a

fixed upon

who

stood her
a

squarely before
resolute

her, as
Her

had
wore

making

speech.
; mute

look

of distress, almost her eyes and gave

of alarm
a

she

kept

place, but
Gordon
to

Bernard
at

welcome. from

turned

looked

him with

slowly
a

head
of in

foot.

Bernard last

remembered,
look

good given
he
saw

deal him

vividness, the
the
some

his friend before

not

had
; and

Champs

Elysees the day

that this cold horror
was

with

satisfaction

exactly a repetition
It
was a

of that

expression of
the

horror.
were

question,
bet

however, whether
ter.

changed
and

tor the

Poor

Gordon
The
an

looked keen

intenselysad
had
was

grievously
from
a

wronged.
O

resentment

faded there
saw
"

his

face,but

immense

reproach

heavy,
that he

helpless,appealing reproach. Bernard

CONFIDENCE.

311
to

had he

not

scene

of violence
was

dread

"

and

yet, when
have
his

perceived what

coming, he
Gordon did had had

would
not

almost
him say

preferredviolence.
hand, and
before
to

offer
to

Bernard

time
were

any
on

thing,began
with
"

speak again,as
been
me a

if he

going

what You
a

he

had

saying to Angela.
great wrong
have
been
"

have

done

you

have
to

done Miss

me

cruel
; I

wrong
came on

tellingit

Vivian

purpose

to tell her.

I can't

really
it any n't do

tell her ; I can't tell her But you know I

the details ; it 's too

!

painful!

what

mean

I could
"

n't stand I could

longer.
that. it now." This
man

thought of going away

come

but I feel.

I must

and

say what

I can't bear

outbreak

of

passionatesense
so

of

injury in

habituallyso undemonstrative,
call attention
of the
to

little

disposed
at

to
once

himself, had
the

in

it

something

touching and
had
was

terrible.
;

Bernard, for
asked

an

instant,felt almost
he

bewildered

he
a

himself
of du of

whether

not, after

all,been
the

monster

plicity.He
refuge in
what

guilty of
is

weakness

taking

called,I believe,in legal phrase,a

side-issue.
"

Don't
a

say

all this before

Angela
"

"

he

exclaimed,
know she is

with
not

kind

of artificial energy.

You
can

in the least at The

fault,and
between

that it

only give her

both
the

pain.

thing is
was

ourselves."
up
at

Angela
men.
"

there, looking sitting it,"she said.

I like to hear

312 You I know Miss

CONFIDENCE.

"

have

singulartaste

"

Beruard

declared.
"

"

it 'sbetween Vivian
too

ourselves," cried Gordon,

at

and
too
are

that

is not

fault. It is you You that

see

She and

is

only

lovely,too wise,
at

good

I that

fault

"

horriblyat
I
never

fault !

I admit

and it,

you

don't.

dreamed
to

I should
never

live to say you

such would

things as this
do what you such
men

you have

; but

I
!
as

dreamed

done

It 's this

horrible,most
should
"

that horrible,

difference

come

between
I

two

who least
"

believed
the
"

themselves

or

whom

believed, at
it is
ever a

best
a

friends

in

the

world.

For
will You
out

difference
fill it up.

it 's I must

and great gulf, say

so

nothing
help
it.

; I

can't

know

I don't express you Miss much may

myself easily ;
what
I

so, if I break

this way,
a

know
and

I feel.

I know

it

is

pain to
has
so

Vivian,
to

beg

her to
can

forgiveme. forgivethat,
sit down

She
too.

forgivethat she
to

I can't

pretend
And it 's the
to

accept it
is n't

; I can't

and

let it pass.

then, it

only

my

feelings ;

it 's the you

right;
no

justice.
marry

I must
; and

say to her that

have
to
me

right
and

her

beg

of

her

to

listen
"

let you
are

go."
you crazy
?
"

My

dear with

Gordon,
an

Bernard
at

de

manded,

energy

which, this time

was least,

real. sufficiently
"

Very likely I
and
to that

am

crazy.

am

crazy what

with I have

disap
lost.
!
"

pointment
Add

the

bitterness

of

the wretchedness

of what

I have

found

CONFIDENCE.

313

Ah, don't say that, Mr.

stood for
an
"

Wright," Angela begged.

not

He

instant Will you

looking at her, but

listen to you Will I
see me

heed Will

ing her words.

you

again ?

forgetthe

wrong

I did
?

"

my

stupidityand
the

follyand
and the let
me

unworthiness

you you

blot out
as

past
as

begin again.
that window.

now clearly me

lightof
?
"

Will

you

give

another

chance

Angela turned
with
"

away
"

her do

eyes

and
me
"

covered
!
"

her

face

her You

hands. go too

You

pain

she

murmured.

said Bernard. far,"

To

what

position
wife
?
"

does your
Gordon without
a

extraordinaryproposalrelegateyour
turned ray
"

his

pleading

eyes

on

his old
a

friend
he I

of

concession

; but
me

for my

moment

hesitated.
no
"

Don't

speak to
"

of

wife.

have

wife."

Ah,

poor

girl!

said

Angela, springingup

from

the sofa.
"

am

serious," Gordon perfectly

went

on,

address
am

ing
crazy

himself
; I
see

again

to

her.

"

I No, after all,

"

not

only too clearly

see

see

what crazy.

should

be ;

when has
care no

people right
"

that, you
he
must

call them

Bernard

give help

you him.

up. He
to
"

If you is in him
were a

really
very

for

him,

you you

should should

false
a

position ;

n't wish you

see

in such
even

position.
own

I can't

explain to
But he Bernard has

if it have
?

for my it is not

sake.

must

told you
"

possiblethat

not

told you

314 I have

CONFIDENCE.

"

told

Angela everything, Gordon,"

what

said Ber

nard.
"

I don't
a

know !"

you

mean

by

your

having done
it ! In lis

me

wrong he has

the

girlexclaimed.
you, then
"

"If

told in

I may

say

tening to him,
"

him." believing

But

you
you

did n't believe

me," Bernard
and offered

exclaimed, yourself
to

"

since

immediately went
!
"

Miss
"

Vivian
I believed

you
?
"

all the

same

When

did

ever

not

believe
"The

you

last words
of the with

ever

heard

from

Mr.

Wright

were

words She

deepest kindness," said Angela.

such
a

spoke
seemed

serious,tender

grace,

that

Gordon
"

stirred
me

to his

depths again.
!
"

Ah, give
poor

another
not

chance

he

moaned. it
was

The

could girl
that
so

help

her
"

tone, and

in

the
"

same

tone

she

continued of
me,

If you

think

well

try and

be

reasona

ble."
Gordon
"

looked
"

at

her, slowly shaking his head.

?

Reasonable
say

reasonable
you
are

Yes, you
reason.

have But
so

right
am

to

that, for
I ask

full of

I.

What
"

is within your

reasonable
were

limits."

Granting
"I say

happiness
for
to

said lost,"
"

Bernard is that
?
"

""

that

only

the

argument

ground
"

for your

wishing
"

deprive me

of mine have

It is not

yours

it is

mine, that you

taken

:.

316

C ONFIDENCE.

regret,I kept thinking

of

what had

you

had

said,and

it

kept
me!"
"

me

quiet.

Your

word

such

weight

with

How

many

times how

more

would

you

have

wished have

to

be

refused, and

many my
means

refusals
"

would

been

required to give me
"

? liberty

asked

Bernard.
you
never

That that No

question
I had told

nothing,because
to Miss

knew
"

again offered myself

me

Vivian."

; you
me

very

little, consideringall that

you
"

made

tell

you."
that I should
do

I told you

beforehand

exactly as

I chose."
"

You

should
"

have

allowed

me
"

the
Had
? ?
"

same

! liberty

"

"

Liberty!
the
a

cried Gordon.
world other
me over

n't you

libertyto
lie have

range found
"

whole

Could

n't

thousand

women

It is not

for

to

think

so," said Angela, smiling

little. Gordon
"

looked
cared
seen

at her

moment.

Ah, you
I had

for him

from I
ever

the

first !
saw

"

he

cried. the

"

him

before

you," said

girl.
Bernard
to

suppressed an through
which

exclamation.
a

There of

seemed

flash

these told
him.

words him

sort

retrospective
that
as soon

confession
never

something
She blushed
a

she
as

had

told directly

she
of

had which

spoken,
the

and

Bernard

found him

beauty
to

in this awkward

brightness blinded

the

CONFIDENCE.

317
to at

aspect
At

of the fact

fact she Gordon it

"

had
stood

just presented staring;

then

Gordon. last he

this

apprehended
"

largely.
been
a

Ah, then, it had

plot

between

you

"

he

cried out.
Bernard
"

and
met

Angela exchanged
for five

glance
had It
was

of

pity.
in I

We

had words Siena.

minutes,
to

and

exchanged Italy
never

few
"

before It
was

came

Baden. accident

at

simple

that

told
"I

you," Bernard
wished that

explained. nothing
should be said about

it,"

said

Angela.
loved turned
him away !" Gordon
"

"Ah, you

exclaimed.
went
to

Angela
Bernard then
"

she

the with

window. his eyes

;

followed
on
"

her for three seconds

he went
If it
were

so, I had
me

no

reason

to suppose

it.

You

have

accused

of I

deceivingyou,
put
you I you

but

I deceived

only
you
was,

myself.
should

You rather
to

say say

off your
me on

guard, but
mine.
most

put

It

thanks the
away
most
"

that, that
brutal of

fell into

the The

senseless,

delusions.
the

delusion of better

passed things.
on

it had my
error,

contained and I

germ

saw

bitterly repented
I felt free."

of it ; and

the
"

day
Ah,

you yes,

were

married have "It

a no

doubt

you

waited
you
to

for that ! know

"

cried
my

Gordon.

may

interest

that

marriage is

miserable

failure."

318
"

CONFIDENCE.

am

sorry have

to
seen

hear

it

"

but your

I can't
own

help

it." know

"

You

it with
I need

eyes.

You

all about

it,and
dear Mr.
"

n't tell

you." Angela, pleadingly,

don't here intention
"

"My

Wright,"
in Heaven's

said
name,

turning round,
"

say
on

that

"

Why
it. You

should
I
came

n't I say it ?

I
an

came

purpose
"

to say

here
what
to

with

with n't pre know

must must

plan.

know

Blanche
me,
an

is you

you don't.

need You

tend, for kindness

what make
a

that

what precious,
"

inestimable

wife

she she

me

how
a

devoted, how
household
can

sympathetic
every
us

be, and
the
seen

what

blessing at
all about home." the
"

hour

of

day.
us

Bernard

tell you
our

"

he has
gave
a

in the

sanctityof
went on,

Gordon
same

bitter
ous

laugh

and

with

strange,seri
she but

air of
me,

explaininghis plan.
she
cares no more

She
me

despisesme,
than for the

hates
ton
care on

for I

her

glove

"

by
part

which
as

mean

that she doesn't

may what say that it

hundredth
me

much. I have
was

You

serves

and right,
her
an

that she

got

I deserve.
a

1 married wife what

because idea you

of you

silly. I
too

wanted

silly

; I had

were

wise. knew the

Oh,

yes, that 's I

thought

!
to

Blanche

why
article

picked

her out, and Heaven

undertook
!

supply
has

required.
her
en

forgiveher
But like
me

She
can

certainlykept
how I it must

gagement,
made her has

you
"

imagine

have
out

knowing why
all the

picked
1

her

She

disappointedme

same.

thought

coxrwEXCE.

319

she had

heart ; but

that

was

mistake.
over

It does n't

matter, though, because

us."
"

everything is everythingis

between

What

do you

mean,

over

"

Bernard

demanded.
"

Everything
speak
Ah
I I
am

will

be

over

in

few

weeks.

Then

can
"

to

Miss

Vivian
to

seriously."
this is not

glad

hear

serious," said

Bernard.
"

Miss
me

Vivian,
another

wait

few

weeks,"

Gordon

went

on.

"

Give

chance be

then. free."
were

Then

it will be per

fectlyright;
"You your
"

I shall
as

speak
! is to
"

if you

going to put
end

an

end

to

wife

She

rapidly putting
leave
me."
man,

an

to

herself.

She

means
"

Poor, unhappy
"

do

you

know

what

you

are

saying ?
"

Angela
I

murmured.
came

Perfectly.
me,

here
to

to

say

it.

She

means

to

leave
is
one

and
to

mean

offer her every

she has

She facility.
an

dying

take

lover, and
Bernard you

got

excellent
I
mean

waiting for
know

her.

knows She
was

whom

I don't
one

whether months

do.
our

ready to
It is

take

three

after
to
can

marriage.

really
; but

very don't

good
think

of her

have
go

waited
more

all this time

a

she

than
a

week

or

two

longer.
I
am

She

is recommended
sure

southern
course

climate, and
ten

pretty

that

in

the

of another

320

CONFIDENCE.

days

I may

count

upon

their

for startingtogether The shores I

as

the

shores of the Mediterranean. terranean,

do you world will

of the Medi will

know,
of

are

lovely,and
As
;
soon

hope they they

you

her

good.

have will

left
of

Paris
course
"

let you

know

and
am

then free."

admit
I don't

I that, virtually,

understand
you
are

you."
aware," said Gordon,
"

"

I suppose

that

we

have

the

advantage

of

being natives
be

of

country

in

which

marriages may

dissolved." legally

Angela
"

stared ; then,

softly
"

Are

you

speaking of
that

divorce

"

"

I believe

is what
at

they
with do

call it," Gordon his

an

swered, gazing back

blue goes than
"

her

densely clouded
; and
more

eyes. away for

me

The

lawyers

it for you be

if she

with

Lovelock, nothing will

it

simple

to have

arranged."
Bernard
broke
was

Angela stared,I
Then
the

say ; and

too. staring,

latter, turning

away,

out

into

tre

mendous,
Gordon

laugh. irrepressible
looked
with
a

at

him

moment

; then
"

he

said

to

Angela,
"

deeper
dearest
more

tremor

in his voice

He I

was

my

friend."
to

"

never

felt Bernard
had

devoted

you

than

at this

mo

ment

"

declared, smiling still.

fixed his

Gordon

sombre

eyes

upon

the

girl

again.
"

Do

you

understand

me

now

"

CONFIDENCE.

321 for

Angela
"

looked
she

back

at

him
at

some

instants.

Yes,"

murmured

last.

"And
"

will you

wait, and

give me
tone.

another

chance?"

Yes/' she said,in the

uttered him with
to
a a

same

Bernard checked
one
"

quick exclamation, but Angela glance,and

Gordon

looked

from

of them Can

the other.
you you
?
"

I trust

Gordon

asked. said

"

I will make

happy,"
what

Angela.
the
"

Bernard
but
"

wondered he

under

sun

she meant

he

thought

might safelyadd
her choice."
to

I will abide

by

Gordon
"

actuallybegan
be

smile.
; two
or

It won't

long,I
no answer

think

three weeks."
fixed her eyes

Angela
on
"

made

to this ; she

the floor.
I shall
see

Blanche

as

often

as

she possible,"

pres

ently said.
"

By

all

means

The

more

you

see

her the better

you
"

will understand I understand

me

me." very well

now.

you

But
must

you
me.

have
I

shaken
shall
see

very you took

much,
"

and

you

leave

also
up

often." his hat the he

to

Gordon
Bernard
"

and

stick ; he

saw

that

did

not

do
?
"

same.

And

Bernard

exclaimed.

"

I shall ask Will you

him
"

leave Paris,"said

Angela.

"

go ?

21

322

CONFIDENCE.

"

will

do

what

Angela
what

requests,"
she

said

Bernard.
it 's for

"

You

have

heard

requests

you

to

come

now."

"Ah,
cried

you

must

at

least

allow

me

to

take

leave

!"

Bernard.
went to

Gordon
it

the

door,

and

when

he

had

opened
at

he

stood

for

while,

holding

it

and

looking

his

companions.
"

Then
"

assure

you

she

won't

be

long

"

he

said

to

An

gela,
The door
"And

and

rapidly
others stood

passed
silent

out.

till

they

heard
him.

the

outer

of

the

apartment

close
to

behind
"

now

please

elucidate

said

Bernard,

fold

ing

his

arms.

Angela
she
turned

gave
upon but

no

answer

for smile words

some

moments;

then

him her

which

appeared

incon

gruous,

which

presently

helped

to

explain.
"

He

is

intensely

in

love

with

his

wife

"

324 with

CONFIDENCE.

poor

me

"

not

to-day
thinks

any he

more

than
he

he

was

three years
of
sorrow

ago.

He

is,because
the But
news

is full of
our

and

bitterness, and

because shock.
out

engagement
a

has
a

given

him

that 's

only pain
a

pretext

"

chance

to

pour

the
in his

grief and
heart
He
cause,

which
sense

have of his

been

accumulating
from

under

estrangement
his

Blanche. that and

is too
even

proud

to attribute

feelingsto
to cry
a

to

himself;
to

but

he wanted

out

say the
me

he

was

hurt,
of

demand
state

justicefor
of

wrong

; and

revelation
"

the
course

things between
him
"

you

and

which

of

strikes that

as

incongruous;
to

we

must

allow

for largely

came

him
on,

as

sudden
a

opportu
ardor argu
attrac

nity. No, no," the girlwent

in her

with

generous of

face, following further

which

the
to

train

her

ment,
"

she
what

appeared
you
are

find

extremely
say and I

tive, I know
I
am

going to

deny

it. I

not

or fanciful,

or sophistical,

and irrational,
are so

know it 's
me

what perfectly

am

about.

Men

stupid ;
Leave is

only

women

that

have

real discernment. Blanche

as

alone,and

I shall do but she

something.
is not
so

silly,

yes, very accused

silly ;
her of

bad

her

husband

being, in those
She

dreadful

wrords which

he will live to repent of.

for

is wise
to

enough

to

care

at bottom, and him, greatly,

feel her little heart

n't appear
to

filled with
care

rage

and

shame

that

he does
her
a

for her.
"

If he
an

would

take

little more
her

seri
because

ously

it 's

immense

pity he

married

CONFIDENCE.

325
be

she

was

! silly

"

she would
deserve
a

flattered
no,
no

by it,and
! she

she

would in

try

and

it. for

No,

does n't,
I
can assure

care reality,

straw

Captain Lovelock,
A
woman

you, She
as

promise

you

she

doesn't.

tell.

is in

and danger,possibly,

if her

present situation,
do

she might regards her husband, lasts,

horrid
not out
as

something
of
must

as

he said. of

But

she would the

do

it out

spite
be him

"

affection for

Captain, who
She

got immediately out

to torment
to

of the way. and make him

only keeps
come

her

husband
would
a

Gordon forever

back

her.

She

drop
moment,

to-morrow."
a

Angela paused
eye.
"

with reflecting,

kindled

And

she looked

shall !

"

Bernard
"

incredulous.

How You

will that

be, Miss
when back you
?

Solomon
come

"

"

shall
I

see

back."
am

"

When
You
our

come

Pray, where
for
a

I
as

going ?
I prom

"

"

will leave poor

Paris

fortnight
"

ised

friend."
an

Bernard
"

gave

irate
are

laugh.
ridiculous
as

My
it To
was

dear

girl, you
as

Your

promis

ing
"

almost with

childish child you

his

asking it."
be childish.
Just

play

must

see

the effect of this abominable have

been

passion of love,which
so

you

crying up
the most
to

to

me

!
man

By
of
!

its
our

operation acquaint

Gordon
ance,

Wright,
is reduced

sensible

the level of

infamy

If you

will

only

go

away,

I will manage

him."

326
"

CONFIDENCE.

You

certainlymanage

me

Pray, where

shall I

go?"
"

Wherever

you

choose.

I will write

to you

every

day."
"

That

will be

an

inducement,"
received
a

said Bernard.

"

You

know
"

I have I write
;

never

letter from
!
"

you."

the

most

ones delightful

Angela
him

ex

claimed
to start

and

she

succeeded for London.

so

in

making

promise
presented

that had

night just
the

She

done

when
was

Mrs.
not

Vivian
a

herself,and
at

good lady

little astonished

being
"

informed

of his intention.
not

You

surely are

going
?
"

to

give up

my

daughter
said Ber

to
"

oblige Mr. Upon

my

Wright
word,

she
as

observed. if I
were

I feel

"

nard.
"

I will

dear mamma," explainit,

said has

Angela.
made
a

"

It

is very

interesting.Mr.
scene;

Wright
of

most

fearful Blanche
Mrs.
"

the

state

things

between

him

and

is dreadful."
Vivian

opened
as

her

clear eyes. liked it ! Gordon

is up
"

You She
"

reallyspeak
does I like it
"

if you she what told

"

so," said
to to

Ber

nard. has

don't

know of

she

Gordon
away

taken

leave

his wits ; he wishes

put

his wife."
"To "To

put

her

away?"
the historians say !"

repudiate her, as

CONFIDENCE.

327
!
"

"

To

repudiate
as

little Blanche
struck with

murmured the

Mrs.

Vivian,
the
"

if she

were

incongruityof

operation.
I
mean

to

keep
looked

them

said Angela, with together,"

firm Her
"

decision. mother
dear
two to to at

her with

admiration.

My

daughter, I

will assist
an

you." mysterious
com

The

ladies had
the Bernard into
to

such

air of

petence
seemed
to

task

they
that

had

undertaken
was

that

it

nothing
exile.

left to him

but

retire

temporary

He

accordingly be
social
resources

took which found

himself

London, where

he had exile

would, perhaps, make

endurable.
to

He him
to
no

himself, however, little disposed

these
resources,

avail

self of

and memory

he

treated and

himself

pleasures but
ached with
a

those
sense

of

expectation.
from
seemed Mrs.
to

He

of his

absence

Vivian's
him
on

deeply
the

familiar

which sky-parlor,
sacred
"

for

time

the most
be called

spot
he

on

earth

"

if
to

earth
gen their

it could
erous

and

consigned
ornament

those with

postal receptacleswhich
the London

brilliant hue
number

street-corners,

an

inordinate
had
ever

of the most

voluminous He
of

that epistles took

been
and
to

dropped thought

into them.

long walks, alone,

it seemed
ex

all the way

Angela, to whom,
of

him, that the character

She

ministering angel was

faithful
to

tremely becoming.
of

was

her
was an

promise

writing

to

him

every

day, and

she

angel

328

CONFIDENCE.

who
was

wielded

"

so

at

least Bernard
letters
one
"

thought,and
ingenious
success

he
pen.

about particular
course

very
"

Of

she

had

only

topic
to

the

of her

operations with
undertaken

regard

Gordon.
"

"Mamma
I
am

has

Blanche/' she wrote,

Mr.
W. It is

and

devoting
also
be

myself to
told

She reallyvery interesting."

and detail,

Bernard

all about

it in
so,

he

found
con

it

interesting ; doubly
that

indeed, for

it must mistress

fessed

the

charming figureof the

a

of his with

affections her

attempting to heal
delicate the

great

social breach

light and

hands,

divided

his

attention

pretty equally with

almost

distracted, the

the distorted,

ludicrous,image
wrote

of his old friend. had

come

Angela
the

that Gordon his

first

back seemed

to

see

her

day

after
on

and visit, Bernard

had had
on

greatly
himself

troubled off.
"

learning that
because
was

taken

It

was

you

insisted

it,of course,"
it him
"

he said ; "it
self." I had
to
"

not

from

of feelingthe justice in her

we

I told
a

him," said Angela,

letter, that

made
you

point

of it,but for

that

certainlyought
I could n't in wrong be
note

give

little credit
fear of I

it.

But
a

sist upon

this,for

sounding

and

excitingafresh
to term

what

suppose He
"

he would
me

pleased
you

his

jealousy.

asked
'

where

had hate

gone,
me

and
'

when

I told him
'

Ah, how
are

he must

he

exclaimed.
'

There

you
to

quite wrong,' I
as
"

answered. He

He

feels

as

kindly
no means

you

as

I do.'

looked

as

if he

by

believed

this ;

but"

CONFIDENCE.

329

indeed, lie looks

is

as

if he

believed

nothing at
He

all.

He
an
'

quite upset
and

and
me

demoralized. his visit

man,
"

stayed half
to
'

hour
me

paid

trying hard
is in
a

please
to

again !

Poor fair
more sex

he
But
more

charming
bold be it very

state

please the
interests
to
me

if he
;

does n't

please me,
to say

he that

and

I make

you.
;

You

would

have

said it would
found

very

awk I

ward

but, strangely enough, I

it is because for
a

easy.

suppose
was

am

so

interested.

Very likelyit
can

awkward
was

him,

poor

fellow, for I
at the

that certify

he in

not

whit

happier

end

of his

half-hour,
He Paris the said

he had spite of the privilege

more

enjoyed.
talked of

nothing
New tion !

about of

you, and
no

and

we

and

York,

Baden
make

Rome. resistance

Imagine
whatever

situa

I shall

to it ; I
me

shall
on

simply

let him

perceivethat conversing with

not

these

topics does
that
not
a

make
must

him look

feel

bit

more

comfortable, and

he
word

elsewhere

for

remedy.
She
came

I said of

about

Blanche."
next

spoke

Blanche, however, the

time.
second

"

He
let

again this afternoon,"

"

she said in her

same

ter,
"

and

he
a

wore

exactly the unhappy

believe he
not
"

face If I

as

yesterday
not
en

namely,

very
to

one.

were

tirelytoo might
shows with
on
"

wise

his

account

of himself, I
Blanche has is been

suppose

that of

was

unhappy

because

symptoms
us a

taking flight. She

she has
no

great deal
I can't

idea

what

going
any

and

honestlysay

that

she

chatters

330 less than tain her

CONFIDENCE.

usual.
that

But

she is
is

greatly interested
and

in

cer

shops

she

buying out,
Mamma
"

in especially
to

visits to her in view of your does n't

tailor. absence
seem

has
come

proposed
and idea.

her
us,

to

stay with

and

she

afraid
we

of

the

I told her that

we

husband

to-day that
he had
no
'

had

asked
'

her, and
whatever

hoped
she
'

objection.
On up the
to

None

; but

won't will

come/

contrary, she says she will/

the last minute
'

She

pretend to,
a

; and

then

she you

will find think

pretext
ill of

for

backing out/
'

Decidedly,
me/
he

very

her/ I said.
me

She
'

hates say

answered, looking at
every
'

strangely.
be
to

You

that of

one/ I said.
for him
'

'

Yesterday you
would
more

said it of Bernard/
reason

Ah,

there

'

he

ex

claimed.
went
'

I won't

attempt
answer

answer

for

Bernard/
Your She

on,

but

I will
is

for

Blanche. delusion. in the

idea
cares

of her for you

hating you
more

miserable
any
one

than

for

world.
a

You

only misunderstand
will
on

each
you
can

other,and

with
out
; he

little good
tan
me

both But I he
saw

sides would

easilyget
to
me

of your

gle/
short.

n't listen excite But

stopped
;

I should

him

if I insisted for

so

dropped

the

subject.

it is not

long

; he

shall

listen to me."
Later

she wrote
would
an excuse

that
not
come

Blanche
to

had

in with

fact

"

backed

out," and

stay
was

them, having

given
on

as

that
at

she

perpetuallytrying
she should
be at

dresses,and that

Mrs.

Vivian's

332

CONFIDENCE.

things are
with the very him

going so-so.
to

He

asked
we

me

yesterday to
about among

go

the

Louvre, and
half of
an

walked Mamma
me

pictures for
strange
she
sort

hour.
for

thinks be

it

thing
all

to
a

doing, and
cause,

though
is not the

of delights, that I
as

in things, is

good

she

sure

this admit far

as

cause

good enough
means are

to

justify
sin

means.

that the We

the Louvre

very

gular, and,
were

is

concerned, they
for
a

not
an

successful.
at the
never

sat

and

looked
has he

quarter
arms,

of

hour he
to

great
a

Venus

who
I think

lost her
does asked

and
what heard does think in
"

said say.

word.
we

n't know
me
c

Before
'

separated he
'

if I And I

from

you. of
me

I said, every Oh, yes,'

?
'

day.'

he
he

speak
looked
to

'

Never

'

I answered

; and

disappointed."

Bernard

had,
his

in

fact,

writing
had

Angela, scarcelymentioned
been
a

name.

He

not

here
"

for two but he I

days," she continued, evening, very

in. Mamma
; I

at

the end
late for

of
a

week
"

last

late had

"

too

visitor

came

left

the

drawing-room,
that
was we

and had

was

sittingalone
a

imme

diatelysaw
at

reached

crisis.

thought
had that
car

first he
out
not

going to prediction ;
the

tell
but

me

that Blanche

ried
was

his

presentlysaw
her

this
I

where
mamma

shoe
was

pinched ; and, besides,

watching
such he had
a

knew
'

that
can

too

closely.
idiot ?
room.
'

How

I have

ever

been
as

dull-souled

he
'

broke like
to

out,

as

soon

got

into
'

the

hear

you

say

that,' I said,

because

it

CONFIDENCE.

333
have

does n't
'

seem

to

me

that

you

been

at all wise.'
most

You

are

cleverness, kindness, tact, in the

!
'

per I of

fect form
am

he
to

went

on.

As that
me

veracious

historian
a

bound

tell you

he

paid
in the
me
'

me

bushel

compliments, and
terms
'

thanked
let

most
so

nattering
for have
a

for my have me.'

not

having
bored
he
a

him I

bore

week. inter

You

me,'

said ;
a

you

ested

'Yes,'
It's
I know

cried, 'as part

have of your

curious kindness
to

case

of say

monomania. that ; but the end

to

bored you

you

death You I

; and

of it all is that I
a

despise me.

can't
to

help despising me;

think I
am a

despise myself.
but I have
to

used that

that poor

was

man,
'

given
I

up

creature

I used

think

could
I

take
can't ! cry
a

things quietly and

If it
were
'

bear

them
shame

bravely.
I could
'

But

not
'

for very mind

sit here and you

to

to you

Don't

me,' I said
that I
was

know be
'

it is

part of
'

our

agreement
?
'

not

critical.'
I
see

Our

agreement

he

repeated,vaguely.
'

you

have least All

I forgottenit,'
matter

answered of

but

it does n't in the

to
a

; it is not

that

I wish you

talk

to

you.

the
I

more

that been
are

it hasn't

done

particleof
you
as

good.
week
at

have
you

extremely

nice

with
now

for
were

; but

just as unhappy
I think Miss will To

you
are

the

beginning. Indeed,
'

you

rather

worse.' I
am

Heaven
cried. the

forgive me,
'

Vivian, I believe

!
are

'

he
on

Heaven
road.

easilyforgiveyou
catch
up with your

you

wrong

334

CONFIDENCE.

happiness,which
you
must

has another

been
; you ; you

running
must

away

from in the

you,
same

take
as

travel
not

direction from he your

Blanche wife.' up and At

must

separate yourself
Blanche's
; he
name

the

sound

of

jumped
his him

took

his usual
no

tone

knew
But listen
at

all I
to

about made
me.

wife, and
sit down him

needed

information. I made
an

again,and

him

I made of the

listen for half he he

was

hour, and
He
me,

the

end

time
of

interested.
sat

had and I I

all the
at

appearance the
moment

it;

gazing
eyes. I

at

last
a

tears

came

into

his

believe what bear

had

of

eloquence.

I don't

know

said,nor
examina
seem

how

I said it,to what

point
had

it would

tion,nor
to

how,
as a

if you

been

there, it would

you,

disinterested
that I after
a

to critic,

hang
were

together;
in my
;

but
own

I know eyes.

while
not

there
to not

tears

begged
that is
a

him she very

give
so

up

Blanche
as

assured
; that

him
she

is

foolish

she
to

seems

delicate

little creature
she been

handle, and
is
ness

whatever that, in reality,

of
to

does, she
all he

thinking only
and

him.

He

had

good
had

kindness
the

her, I knew

that ; but from

not, from he

been first, her

more

able to conceal
a

her that
She in

regarded
to

chiefly as
than

pretty
she

kitten.

wished

be

that, and
his He
;

took

refuge
make

flirting, simply to
feel
was

excite
her.

jealousyand
has
was

him

stronglyabout

felt

and strongly,

he

stronglynow feeling

he

passionately feeling

CONFIDENCE.

335 But
he

that

was

my made

whole it

contention.

had

per

haps

never

little mental

eyes

plain to those rather near-sighted of hers, and he had let her suppose
n't fail to

something that could

and
*

rankle

in

her

mind

torment

it.
were

'

You

have

let her
me,

suppose,'I said,
the
poor from

that

you

thinking of
me.

and

girl has

been she been think chance

jealous of
herself
too

I She
too

know has

it, but
said

nothing
she has don't
had
me a

has

said. and

nothing ;
She has

proud
to

considerate. I do.

If you

that's every
a

her
for of

honor,
a

day

week, but
I

she has

treated

without have It I

grain

spite.

have touched

appreciated it,I
me

understood
to

it,and
you, Mr.

it has Mr.

very

much.

ought
was

touch
to

Wright.

When gave

she heard her

an

engaged
relief.

it Longueville,

im you those

mense

And

yet,

at

the

same

moment

were

and protesting,

denouncing,
her !
I know

and how

saying
she

horrible
"

things
likes which be

about

appears in

she

admiration. she would She

with
a

But
most

the

admiration

the
now

world would
as a

delight in just
with

yours.

plays
wooden
up his

Captain Lovelock
a

child does

harlequin,she pulls
arms

stringand he throws
about
as

and

legs.

She

has
as a

much

intention
have
were

of

eloping with
a

him

little Jim with

out

girlmight
her, Blanche

of

eloping with
to

pasteboard
explanation
Jim
Crow you
to

Crow.

If you

have
soon

frank throw

would

very

of the

window.

I very

humbly

entreat

336

CONFIDENCE.

cease

thinking of
ever

me.

I don't
or

know

what
I

wrong have

you
ever

have done head

done that
me.

me,

what feel

kindness

you, about

you

should
see

obliged to
am
"

trouble

your
now.

You in
me

all I

tell you As knew

am

nothing
ill of

the
at

least remarkable.

for your

thinking
cared should be

Baden,

never

it how

nor

about

it.

If
over

it had it.

been Mr.

so,

you

see

have

got

Dear you

Wright, only

we

might
me.

such
so

good friends,if
pretty, so

would
so

believe

She's You

charming,
you had

universallyadmired.
me,

said
"

just now spite of

the it
an
"

bored

but you If
!

it 's noth

ing
me
"

in
to

all the I have

compliments
bored you. you

have
she

paid
could
see

way

only
for
rest

know

that

I have I
am

bored
out

Let mind
so

her
"

half
will

hour

that
care

of your

the

take
a

of

itself. with
me.

She

might
The way

easily
she
I

have

made
to

quarrel
is you
one

has
have

behaved
ever

me

of the

prettiestthings
the
way I shall
to

seen,

and

shall

see

always
out

behave

to her !

Don't I have You in

think
not

it necessary

say

of

politenessthat
least
are

bored

you

; it is not

in the you And

necessary.

know the

well perfectly
of my I
can

that

disappointed
have
!
'

charm
too.

society. honestly

done
For

my
some

best,
time
was

affirm lie
a

that

he

said

nothing, and
he

then
see

remarked word
'

that
sense

very what of I

clever, but
said.
'

didn't

of

in

It

only proves,'I
is smaller

said, that

the

merit

my

conversation

CONFIDENCE.

337 head
same.

than

you

had

taken
you

it into your

to

fancy.

But

I have

done
; you

good,all
You

the

Don't

contra
us

dict

me

don't know it.

yet ;

and
me

it 's too late for

to argue

about

will tell

to-morrow.'

"

'

XXX.

SOME

three

evenings after

he

received

this last

re

port of the progress

whom
as

of affaiis in of exile sat

on,
none

Paris, Bernard, upon

the
of the
more

the

burden
went

lightly
into

the

days

turned He had

out

Strand

one

of the theatres.

been London

gloomily pushing
densities
the
"

his way November crowd. and

through the fog, the

He
was

various nocturnal

the

darkness,

jostling

too

restless to do
to

anything but walk,

he had

been

saying
been

himself, for the thousandth

a

time, that if he had

guilty of
of

misdemeanor
admirable

in

succumbing
who pages, showed

to to

the such
was

attractions

the

girl

advantage

in

letters of twelve
these

his fault

richly expiated by
He gave

days

of
to

impatience and
the

bereavement.

little heed

play;

his

thoughts
his eyes

were

elsewhere,
round

and, while
the house.

they rambled, Suddenly,

on

wandered
side in of

the other

it,he

beheld

Captain

Lovelock, seated
if Bernard tion
to the
was

squarely
not
as

his

orchestra-stall, but,
as

mistaken,
he himself
were

paying
had

little atten
The
scene

stage

done.

Cap
; his

tain's eyes, it is true, head

was

fixed upon

the

bent

his magnificent beard little,

rippled

340

CONFIDENCE.

again
that

the

next

instant, and
and

the two

men

then

uttered
which of the

inarticulate
for
a

inexpressive exclamation gentlemen

of
more

passes

sign of greeting among

race,

Anglo-Saxon
"

in

their

moments

acute

self-consciousness.

Oh,
were

are

you

here

"

said

Bernard.

"

thought

you
"

in Paris."
;

No

ain't
"

in

Paris," Lovelock
of the

answered
!
"

with

some
"

dryness.
Oh,
I my

Tired

beastlyhole
"

see," said
umbrella."
up his

Bernard.

Excuse

me

while

put up
He
next

put

umbrella, and
saw

from

under
two

it, the

moment,
out

he

the
of

Captain waving
a

fingers
he
a re

at him

of the

front he

hansom.
on

When

turned

to his

hotel

found

his table This

letter

superscribedin Gordon
nication
"I
ran

Wright's hand.
:

commu

as

follows
you
come are

believe
name,

making
back
to

fool
!

of G.

me.

In

Heaven's
Bernard words
ture
to
as a

Paris
to

W." few
over

hardly knew
further
; but

whether

regard these
or as an

declaration
he

of war,

peace

lost

no

time
He

in

complying
for

with Paris

the the

summons

they conveyed. morning,

the dust he
and of rang in his
at

started

next

the

evening, after he had

and

removed

journey
Mrs. him but

swallowed door.

hasty dinner,
I will

Vivian's
a

This
"

lady and her daughter gave

not

welcome

whicli
at

say

satisfied

him,

which,

least, did

CONFIDENCE.

341

something toward
of

soothing the still unhealed

wounds

separation.
"

And

what

is the

news

of Gordon

"

he

presently

asked.
"

We

have is

not

seen

him

in three
;

days,"said Angela.
be.

"

He
been You

cured, dear

Bernard

he must

Angela

has
"

wonderful," Mrs.
should have
seen
"

Vivian
mamma

declared.
with
most

Blanche," her
remarkable."

daughter said, smiling.

Mrs.
"

It

was

Vivian

smiled, too, very

!

gently.
Lovelock has gone

Dear

little Blanche

Captain

to
"

London."

Yes, he
added,
"

thinks
I have

it

beastly hole.
it

Ah, no,"

Ber

nard But
turn

got

wrong."
that
sat
;

it little mattered.
to

Late Bernard

night, on gazing

his

re

his
not

own

rooms, to

at his

fire. of
re a

He

had

begun

undress
He
came was

he

was

thinking
midst of

good

many

things.
there
was

in
a

the
at

his

flections when
the stood nard
come

rap open. with

his

door, which

next

moment

flung
him
"

Gordon
a

Wright
Ber him
to

there,looking at
returned
in. for
a

gaze

which

moment

before
came

bidding
up
to him

Gordon
out

came

in and

; then

he

held

his
; his

hand. last

Bernard

took been

it with that it he
was

great
was

satisfaction very weary

feeling had

of

this

ridiculous
was

quarrel,and
over.

an

extreme
"

relief to find it
was

It

very

good

of

you

to

go

to

London,"

said

342

CONFIDENCE.

Gordon, looking at him esty of his eyes.

"

with

all the

old

serious

hon

I have

always

tried to do

what

could

to

oblige

you," Bernard
"

answered, smiling.
have cursed
me over

You
on.

must

there,"Gordon

went
"

did, a little.

As

you

were

cursing me

here, it

was
"

permissible."
That you
on

's

over

now," said Gordon.

It seemed
to
me

"

came

to

wel

come

back.
my

could n't

lay my

head
"

pillow without
to

speaking to you."
admitted, smil
I find you
"

am

glad
"I

get back," Bernard deny

Then
that. And

ing

still.

can't

as

I believed knew For last"

I should."

he added,

seriously

"I

Angela
a

would

keep
Gordon

us

good
said

friends."

moment

nothing. Then,

at

Yes,
us

for

that
marry have

purpose her. made you

!
"

it

did n't been

matter

which

of
"

should

If it had

I," he added,

she would
"

accept it."
exclaimed.

Ah,
I
am

I don't
sure

know of

Bernard Gordon
an

"

said it,"
"

earnestly
"

almost

argumentatively.
"Keeping
great thing.
you

She

's

extraordinarywoman."
with
to
me
"

good
it's
your
at
some

friends

that's

But

nothing
wife." for
on

her

keeping
then

you

good

friends with looked

for

Gordon
fixed

Bernard time

an

instant

he

his eyes

the fire.

CONFIDENCE.

343
A in
"

"

Yes, that
value

is the his

greatest of all things.

He he should should
of
went

man

should He has

wife.

believe

her. espe

taken

her, and
is
a

keep good
on.

her

when cially
a

there

great deal

in her.
"

was

great

fool the what

other

day," he
It
was

I don't

re

member
"

I said.
to
a me

very

weak." Bernard. be
a
"

It seemed

feeble,"said
man's
never

But in

it
a

is

quite within
you I

rights to
abused it for
a

fool

once

while, and
"

had

of the

license."
"

Well,

have

done

lifetime
his

for He

life

time."
into the

And
crown

Gordon

took
a

up

hat.

looked he
one

of it for

moment,
"

arid then there I have is

fixed

his eyes
I

on

Bernard's won't
mind

again.
my

But

thing
back

hope

you old

saying.
"

come

to my
"

impression of
old

Miss

Vivian."

Your

impression ?
Vivian's

And
"

Miss
mean

accepted lover

frowned

little.

that she 's not frown

simple.
away

She 's very

in
a

strange."

Bernard's
eager
"

cleared

sudden, almost

smile.
at
once

Say

that

you

dislike her !

That

will do

capitally."
Gordon
a

shook

his head, and

he, too, almost

smiled

little.
"

It 's not

true.

She 's very

wonderful.
it.

And

if I

did dislike her, I should

never

strugglewith
wife
!
"

It would

do for he

me

to dislike your

After

had

gone, when

the

night

was

half over,

344

CONFIDENCE.

Bernard, lying
still darkness, as
On Gordon.

awake

while,

gave
came

laugh
back
went

in

the

this last sentence

to him. to
;
see

the

morrow

he

saw

Blanche,

for he
not

The
a

at first, was latter,

at

home his

but

he

had

quarter
of

of

an

hour's

talk
were

with

wife,
not

whose

powers

conversation

apparently
that

in the smallest occurred.

"

degree affected by anything

enjoyed
go
to

had

hope
"

you you

your

visit to
a

London," she
diamonds
"

said. in

Did

buy Angela
didn't
?

set of

Bond

Street?
a

You

buy anything
pray what did
to
me

you go it 's I I very

did n't go into

for ?

shop

Then
"

you

Excuse

my

curiosity
never

it

seems

rather
am

I flattering. I you
; and

know
powers yes, I

anything
of

unless

told.

haven't
went
"

any

observation.
that

noticed
much

oh,

observed

thought
Your

it very

strange,under
friend
to

the cir
in

cumstances.

most

intimate
next

arrived
a

Paris, and
tour

you

choose like to have

the
see

day
treat

make

little
so

I don't
never

you

my

husband
And

he

would

done
you

it to

you.

if you

did n't stay for

Gordon,
heard
away of

might

have

staid
as

for
a

Angela.

never

anything so
the
that

monstrous

gentleman rushing
tion,
for
no

from

objectof
any

his affec
one

particular purpose
after she

could It
was

discover,the day
not

has
it
was

accepted
too
me

him.

the

day

after ?

Well,

soon,

at any

rate.

Angela

could

n't in the

least tell

what

you

had

CONFIDENCE.

345
'

gone

for ; she
reason

said
!
so

it

was

for she I ; you

?

chance.'
very
at

That

was

charming
of you
"

But
was

was

much last you

we

ashamed
all sent You

and

and
to

Captain
came

Lovelock
without

after him

bring
so

back.

back he

Ah,
for him

much

the better ; I
as

suppose very
want
so

is still

looking

you, for

and,
some

he is n't
We

clever, that will occupy

to

time. of
am

occupy

him

we

don't
own

approve

his very

being

idle.
were

However,
away. I

for
was

my
a

part, I
deal
at

glad

you and
to

great

Mrs.

Vivian's,
at

I should go if I had

n't have known

to

felt

nearly so

much

liberty
there have

I should

always
It what you

find you n't

are

making
seemed
to

love
to
"

Mademoiselle.
"

would you
ever

me

discreet,
it 's the

I know first time

going
of I

say

that

heard
a

my

wishing to
taken up for

avoid
"

an

indiscretion.
for the
"

It 's
reason

taste went

have
to

lately,
a
'

same

you

London,
an

change.'

Here
; and
never

Blanche
she

paused
added
"

for

appreciable moment
I
as

then
seen

"Well,

must

say,

have

anything hope
mamma

so

lovely
won't When said
to

Mrs.

Vivian's

influence. it this time the other

I !"

be

disappointed in
Bernard them
that
women

next

saw

two

ladies, he
the
way in

he

was

surprised at
moral Vivian.

which
"

clever

incurred

responsibilities.
"

We
!
"

like them," said Mrs.

We

delightin

them
"

Well," said

Bernard,

"

I would

n't for

the

world

346

CONFIDENCE.

have Gordon
"You

it

on

my Mrs.
not

conscience Blanche."
to
"

to

have

reconciled

poor

to

are

say

word

against Blanche,"

Angela
"

declared.
be all

She

's

little miracle."

It will

right,dear

Bernard," Mrs.

Vivian

added, with
"

soft taken
on.

authority.
a

I have
went

great fancy

to

her," the younger

lady

Bernard
"

gave is
!
"

little laugh.
his ultimate

Gordon

right in

opinion. You

are

very
"

strange
You
never

may

abuse
a

me

as

much

as

you

please;

but

will

hear she
never

word would

Mrs. against
in future ;

Gordon."

And

though

it is not

recorded

that the

Bernard
license

availed
offered him

himself in

in any

special

degree of
this

conjunction with

warning.
health account,
her within taken
a

Blanche's
to

few

days had, according

turn

her

own

marvellous

for the think it

a

better proper

; but

husband
should he

appeared spend
the

still to

that
sun,

they
and
at

winter

beneath
his them

brilliant that voyage

presently informed
it between
a

friends that united this

a

they
up

had the very

last settled
must

Nile

be, for

thoroughly
To

couple, a

agreeable pastime.
must

perform repairto

expedition advantageously they

without Bernard

Cairo that their

delay,and
and

for

this

reason

he

was

sure

Angela

would

easily understand