Download - Sara Seale - Beggars May Sing
BeggarsMaySing(1968)
SaraSeale
GinaandherbrotherSebastianweren'tliterallybeggars—buttheyweredependentfinanciallyonMarkProctor,thoughhewasnorelationtothem.Sebastian,acharmingwaster,sawnothingamissinthesituation,butGinafoundherdependencegallingandworrying.ParticularlywhensherealizedthatshewasinlovewithMark.
CHAPTERI
SEBASTIANbegantoplaytheDeadMarchinSaulveryloudly.Almostatonce,oneofthedoorswhichopenedontothegalleryabovehimbanged,andagirl,wearingnothingbutaman'soldbath-robe,leanedoverthebanisters,herthickredhairfallingwildlyoverherface.
"Who'sitfor?"sheinquiredfiercely.
Herbrotherlookedupatherandgrinned."TheJudgeiscoming,"hesaid.
"Oh,lord!"Shecameslowlydownthestairs,clutchingherbath-robetightlyroundher,itssuperfluousfoldstrailingbehind.Sheswungherselfontothegrandpiano,andthrustingoutalongthinleg,shecontemplatedtheoldslipperdanglingfromherbarefoot."I'minrags,"sheremarkedirrelevantly."What'shecomingfor?Itisn'tFriday."
Heshrugged,introducedaveinofsyncopationintotheDeadMarch,andsaidregretfully,"Sebastianfailstotakehisscholarship.Georginaaidsandabets.Argal:CaneforSebastian,gruelforGeorgina."
"Oh,lord!"shesaidagain.
Shecrossedherarms,intheirenvelopingsleeves,tightlyoverhernarrowchest,andfrownedheavily.Whenshefrowned,shelookedlikeayoungwitch,withherpointedchinthrustforwardandhershortflaminghairspringingfromahigh,ratherdelicateforehead.ShesharedwithSebastianthetiltedeyesandbitter-sweetmouthwhichwerethecharacteristicsofalltheGales,butherwholebodyhadanervous,half-suppressedairoftensionwhichhisentirelylacked.Hehadabouthimanaliveawarenesswhichmadehimacharmingcompanionwhenhechose,buthetooklifemoreeasily,charmedwithlesseffortthandidhissister.
Ginasaidslowly,"Yes,theydotreatuslikethat."
"Rot,Icallit,"Sebastianremarkedgood-naturedly.
"Well,Idon'tknow.Idofeelmostfrightfullyoldattimes,butI'mnineteenreally;you'reeighteen,soIsupposetothemwemustseemquiteyoung,"shesaid,and
frownedmoredeeply.
Sebastianbeganplayingawaltz,anelaborationofhisfirsttheme,breakingoffhalfwaywithaquick,"No—likethis,"andrepeatingaphrasewithafreshharmony.Whenhehadfinished,heliftedhisbroadsquare-tippedhandsfromthekeysandlookedexpectantlyathissister."Anygood?"
"Yes,good,butchangetothemajorinthelastphrase,andthenbackagaintotheminorinthelastbar.That'llgiveitatwist."
"CleverlittleGinny,"hesaid,usinghisoldnick-nameforher,thentriedthewaltzagainwiththenewvariation.
"Can'tyoumakeJulieseethatthisiswhatyoumustdoinsteadofwastingtimeatOxford?"Ginasaidimpatientlywhenhehadfinished."Shegenerallylistenstoyou.Ifyoucouldgetheronyourside,theJudgemightbemoreamenableinsteadofmakingourlivesaburdentous."
"Oh,IlikeoldMark,"saidSebastianeasily."Afterall,hehasalottoputupwith,Isuppose."
Shewassilent,thenburstoutsuddenly,"Iwishwe'dnevercometolivehere."
"Why,darling?It'smuchmorecomfortablethanlivingonnothingayear."
"Iknow.Butalwaysundersomeobligation."
"Oh,Idon'tlookatitlikethatatall.TheJudgehadthehouseonhishands.HisunclemightjustaswellhaveleftittoJulie,anyway,onlyhedidn't.MuchbettertohaveJulierunningitforhim.Afterall,she'shisownsister,andsinceshewouldmarryFather,wehavetocometoo."
"That'swhatseemssorotten."
"Rubbish!Markhasmoney,wehaven't.It'saverygoodarrangement.IcouldalwayshavetoldJuliethatourfatherwoulddieinsolvent.Shedoesn'tcomplain."
Ginawasstillspeculative."Julie'sstillverygood-looking,"sheremarkedthoughtfully.
"Ialwayssaidso,"retortedherbrother.
"Butnotintheleast'appealingwithal,"shecontinuedcalmly.
"Ohwell,thatdependsonhowyoulookatthesethings.Alittleunimaginativeperhaps—alackofsubtletynowandagain,butstill—thegoodVictorhashisideas,anyway."
"Oh,thatbounder!Ican'tthinkwhyshedoesn'tseeit.Butshelikestheman!"Ginaexclaimed."Oh,goon,darling!That'sgoingtobegood.Playitagain."
Theybecameengrossedinthemusic,inventingridiculousrhymestofititandshoutingwithlaughterateachnewabsurdity.
Itwasalreadyafterhalf-pastseven,andtheJulyeveningwasresolvingintothechilly,ratherdepressinggrey-nessthatcharacterizedtheendofmostofthedaysofthatwetsummer.Ginawasjustbeginningtoshiveralittlewhensheheardthesoundofacardrawingupoutside,andafewminuteslaterthefrontdooropenedtoadmitthetallfigureofamancarryingasuit-case.
Sebastianstoppedplayingabruptly,andtheybothturnedtostareatthenewcomer,whoputdownhissuit-case,threwhishatandglovesontoatableandadvancedintothehall,limpingslightlyashewalked.
"Hullo!Stillatit?"heremarked.
Thelittlesilencewhichfollowedwascuriouslyhostile,thenSebastianlaughed."Hullo,Mark,"hesaideasily,butheshutdownthelidofthepianowithagestureoffinality.
"You'llbelatefordinnerifyoudon'tgoandchangesoon,"Marksaid,andasheturnedtoGinasittingmotionlessonthepiano-top,thelongbath-robeslippingoffherbareshoulders,hisvoicebecamesuddenlywarmer."Well,Gina?YoulooklikeanAugustusJohnmodel!Agarmentofmine,Isee."
Sheflushedfaintly."Mine'sinholes,"shesaidquickly.
"Isit?I'msorry.AskJulietogetyouanother,"hesaid.
AtthatmomentadarkgracefulyoungwomanleanedoverthebanistersabovethemandcalledGina'sname.Shesoundedveryangry.
"Youleftyourbathrunning—itmusthavebeenagesago,andit'soverflowedandthewholeplaceisflooded.It'scomingthroughunderneath,"shesaidsharply."Really,Gina,youmightthink!"
"Gripes!"saidGina,andleaptoffthepiano.
"Iwishyouwouldn'tsay'Christ,'"Marksaidquickly.
Shewheeledroundonhimwithhotcheeks."Ididn't!Isaid'cripes,'andIgotitfromSweeny,"shecriedfuriously,andtanupthestairsasfastasherdraperieswouldlether.
Markwatchedherdisappear,thenturnedwithaslightshrug."Stupidofme,"hesaidquietly.
Sebastiangottohisfeetandstretched."She'sbeenknowntosayitallthesame,"heremarkedwithagrin,andfollowedhissisterupthestairs.
II
TheBarnHouse,'asitsnameimplied,wasoriginallyanoldbarnwhichhadsincebeenconvertedintoahouse.Itwasnotabighouse,andtheroomswereallrathersmall,offeringtheunusualcuriosityofmakingnearlyeverydoorvisiblefromthehallitself.ThusSebastian,whoalwaysmanagedtoeffectachangeofdressquickerthananyoneelse,wasfirstdown,andwatchedfromhisseatatthepianotheotheroccupantsofthehouseemergefromtheirrooms.
FirstSweeny,groom-handyman,andonoccasionscook-parlour-maidoranythingelserequiredofhim,descendedthestairs,havingcompletedsomeerrandorother.Itwashisdayforwaitinginthedining-room,sincethemaidwasout,andhecrossedthehallmutteringtohimselfandshakinghishead.Sweenywasbeginningtolookhisageoflate.HehadneverreallysettleddownsincetheyhadbroughthimwiththemfromIrelandnearlytwoyearsago.
NextcameJulie,tallinherlongblackgown,stillverygood-looking,asGinahadremarked;probablymorehandsomeatthirty-fourthanshehadeverbeenattwenty.
Markfollowedsoonafter,tallanddarklikehissister,butwithasensitivenessoffacethatshehadneverpossessed.OnlyayearmadehimJulie'ssenior,buthelookedolder,andhislamenessmadehismovementsappearratherdeliberate.
LastofallcameGina,verylateandwearinganoldfrockwhichwastooshortforpresentfashion,makingherlooklikealong-leggedchildassheflungherselfviolentlydownthestaircase.
"Thefishhasbeenwaitingthisfifteenminutes,mam.WillIgiveitabitofawarm?"saidSweeny'splaintivevoicefromthedining-roomdoor.
"Ohdear,Sweeny!Youshouldhavekeptitinthekitchenuntilwecamein.I'malwaystellingyouthat,"saidJulieimpatiently.
"Yes,mam.Butcooklockedthedooronme,mam.Willyouatenow,mam?"
"InEnglandyouhavetosay'eat,'Sweeny,"Ginasaidinahoarsewhisperastheywentintothedining-room,andJuliefrowned.
Sheglancedacrossatherbrotherattheoppositeendofthetable."Youlooktired,Mark.Haveyoubeenworkingveryhardlately?"sheasked.
"Yes,Ihavebeenprettybusy,"headmitted."Thisarbitrationcasestillgoeson,andthereareseveralotherthingspilingupaswell."
"Youlawyersmustrakeitinwhenyougetgoing."Sebastianobservedcheerfully."Isawapictureofyouinsomepapertheotherday,Mark.Mr.Proctor,well-knowncounsel,etcetera,etcetera.Won'tyoubetakingsilksoon?"
Marksmiledandshookhishead."Notformanyayearyet.Apartfromanythingelseitcostsmoney,youknow,"hesaid.
Sebastianmadeasmallgrimaceandsaid,"Theeverfilthylucrebarstheway."ButGina,sittingsilentonMark'sright,lookedupquicklyfromherplate,bitherlipandlookeddownagain.Mark,whoseobservanteyemissedverylittle,glancedathersharplyandchangedthesubject.
"It'scoldtonight,soIhadafirelitinthestudy,Mark,'andIthoughtwe'dallsitthere,"Juliesaidastheyroseattheendofthemeal.
Shelefttheroom,followedbyGina,andbegantomakecoffeeatasmallspirit-lampinMark'sstudy.SheallowedthecoffeetocometwicetotheboilbeforeshesaidpleasantlytoGina:
"IaskedMarktocometonightspecially,becauseIthinkhe'sstoppingintownthisweek-end,andIwanthimtotalkoverthisscholarshipbusinesswithSebastian."Shepouredoutacupofcoffeeandhandedittothegirl,liftingherdarkeyestoGina'sforamoment."Idowantthisthingdiscussedamicably,Gina,"shewenton,"soplease,willyoutrynottointerruptormakethingsdifficultinanyway?Sebastianreallydidratherdisgracehimselfinhisexams,andsomefuturearrangementhasgottobemade."
"Julie—I—you—can'twe—"Ginabegan,butbrokeoffabruptlytosayquietly,"Allright,Iwon'tutter."ShesatsippinghercoffeeandexchangingdesultorysmalltalkwithherstepmotheruntilMarkandSebastianjoinedthem.
WhenSweenyhadfinallytakenawaythecoffee-cups,Markfilledapipeandsatsmokinginsilenceforalittlebeforetacklinghissubject.Hedidn'talwaysenjoythepositionwhichtherecentre-arrangementofhishouseholdhadthrustuponhim.
"Nowwhataboutthisscholarship?"hesaidatlast.
Sebastianbeamed."Well,Ijustdidn'tgetit,"hesaidhappily.
"Iknow.Butwhydidn'tyou?"
Sebastianshrugged."Idunno.Toostupid,Isuppose."
"Nonsense!That'sjustwhatyouaren't,andyouknowitaswellasIdo,"saidMarkbrusquely,andleantforwardinhischair.Hisgreyeyes,astheylookeddirectlyatSebastian,werethekeen,penetratingeyesofashrewd,verywide-awakeman,andtheboybegantofidget."Nowlookhere,Sebastian.I'mnotgoingtosaymuchaboutyourperformance.Youhavebrainsenoughtogetascholarshipeasily,andyougaveabadexhibitionwhichwasentirelyduetoslacknessandlackofconcentration.Butthat'sdonewithnow.You'vefinishedwithschoolandyoumustbegintomakesomethingofyourlife."
"Well,Ihaven'thadachanceyet.Hangit,I'mnotveryold!"Sebastianexpostulated.
"Mydear,ofcourse.Weknowthat.Butthat'swhatwewanttodiscussnow."Juliespokepleasantlyandpersuasively.SheinstinctivelytookmoretroublewithSebastianthanshedidwithGina.
"Well,whatdoyouwantmetodo?"hesaidalittleresentfully.
"YoumusttakeyourscholarshipagaininDecemberforsomeothercollege,"saidMark."Andthistimetheremustbenononsenseaboutwinningit.You'vegottogetdowntowork,Sebastian.Itshouldn'tbedifficultforyou.You'vegotoverfourmonths,andI'llcoachyouinthelongvacation.Ishallbeathomemostofthetime."
"Oh,lord!"groanedSebastian,glancingacross'atGina,whowascrouchingsilentlyoverthefireandsmokingendlesscigarettes."Whycan'tyouletmealone,Mark?I'mnotcutoutforOxford,reallyI'mnot."
"But,Sebastian,you'vegottodosomething,"saidJuliequickly."Youdon'tseemtohaveanyideaofwhatyouwanttodoeventually,andOxfordwillgiveyoutimetoreadjustyourideas.Youcan'thangabouthereallthetime,makingupyourmind."
"Idon'twanttohangabout.Iwanttogoabroad,"Sebastiansaidalittlesulkily."Youknowallaboutit,Julie."
"Oh,thisjazz!Iknowthat,"sheretorted."Thatphasewillpass;youcan'texpectustotakethatseriously."
Markglancedacrossathissisterandraisedaneyebrowslightly."Butthepointis,Sebastian,"hesaid,turningbacktotheboy,"Ican'taffordtokeepyouatOxford,I'mafraid,unlessyougetascholarship,andanyotheralternativesuchasgoing'abroadisnotcateredforinthatway."
"Thepointis,Sebastian,"saidJulierathersharply,"thatMarkisundernoobligationtokeepeitherofyou."
"Itisn'taquestionofthatatall,"Marksaidratherimpatiently."Notanawfullykindwayofputtingiteither,Julie."Hesmiledathissister."I'mnotapoorman,Sebastian,but
I'mnotricheither.There'sthishousetokeepup,thoughitisn'tlarge,andJulierunsitadmirably.Thenthere'smyflatintheTemple.Verytiny,it'strue,butitallcostsmoney.IdowellenoughattheBar,butI'mnotoneofthebignoises,andneverwillbe.Soyousee,I'mafraiditisuptoyoutohelpabit.Itmayseemawasteoftimeandaboretoyou,butyou'llgainsomethingbyitallthesame.Whatdoyousay?"
Sebastianlaughedalittleuncomfortably."I'venotmuchchoice,haveI?"hesaid,gettingupandmovingrestlesslyabouttheroom."You'vebeenawfullydecenttousreally,Mark."
Sweeny'smelancholyfaceappearedroundthedoor."Dogsbodyhastakenaturnonyourbed,mam,"hesaid."WillIchangetheblanketthisnight?"
Juliewenttothedoorsaying,"I'dbettergoandseetothings,"andGinaandSebastianfollowedherwithalacrity.
Markcaughtthegirl'shandasshepassedhim,andsaidquickly,"No,notyou,Gina.Iwanttospeaktoyouamoment."
"Me?"saidGinainstartledtones,andwatchedwithresignationthedoorclosingfinallyupontheothertwo.
Markknockedouthispipeandputitonthemantelpiece.Helookedatthegirlwaitingnervouslyforhimtospeak,andpicturedheragainasshewasthefirsttimehehadeverseenher.ShehadbeenfinishingherlastyearataschoolinDublinwhenherfatherhaddied,leavingthementirelyunprovidedfor,sothatthemovetoEnglandandtheBarnHousehadbeenaccomplishedbythetimeshehadleftschoolforgoodandfollowedherfamilyfromIreland.HehadgonetoEustontomeettheboat-train,andhadescortedathin,ratherresentfullittleschoolgirlbacktoSussex.Thecrossinghadbeenrough,andGina,alwaysabadsailor,lookedwhiteandplain.Herschoolclotheswereunbecoming,andshehadalost,unhappylookinspiteofherairofdefiance.
"Awfullydifficult,Markdear,"Juliehadsaidofherbeforeshearrived,buttherehadalwaysbeensomethingaboutherwhichhadappealedtohim,eveninhermostunprepossessingmoments.
"Whywon'tyoubefriendswithme,Gina?"heaskedhersuddenly.
Shelookedalarmed."Oh,I—Mark—Iamfriends,"shesaidlamely.
Heraisedaneyebrowdoubtfullyandsmiled."Well—Idon'tknowaboutthat,"hebegan,thenbrokeofftosaykindly,"You'reamassofnervestonight,child.What'supsetyou?"
Herfacealteredathistone;shesmiled—thatsuddensweetsmilewhichshehadincommonwithherbrother,butusedsomuchmorerarely.
"I'mallright,"shesaidquickly."Whatdidyouwanttotalktomeabout?"
"IwantyoutohelpmewithSebastian,"herepliedatonce."Doyouknowitwasyourfaultasmuchashisownthathefailed?"
"Myfault?Buthewasatschool!"sheexclaimed.
"Yes,Iknow.Butyouwerebehindhim.Youdidn'twanthimtogetascholarshipanymorethanhedidhimself.Youdon'twanthimtogotoOxford,doyou?"
Hewaswatchingherintentlynow,ashehadwatchedSebastian.
"No,"shesaid.
"No.NowI'mgoingtobequitefrankwithyou,Gina.Sebastianatthemomentissettingouttobejustacharmingwaster.That'swhyIconsiderOxfordwillbeinvaluabletohim.He'llhavetoshiftforhimselfabit,andhe'llmeetotherpeopleofhisownageandsex.Butifyouholdhimbackallthetimebypanderingtoeveryridiculousideahemayget,he'llneverdoanything.Whydon'tyoupushhimoninsteadofsidingwithhimagainstJulieandmyselfallthetime?"
Shecameacrosstheroomtohischair,andstoodoverhim,herlittlepointedfacesharpwithtension.
"Mark,whywon'tyoulethimdowhathewants?"shecrieddesperately."Surelyit'sthebestway.Itcan'teverdogoodtoforcesomeoneoutoftheirrightchannelandleavethemforeverunsatisfied."
"But,mydear,"hesaidgently,"youcan'tapplyallthisanguishtoacareerofjazz!"
"Oh,don'tsneerlikeJulie,"shesaid,andignoringhisquickgestureofdenial,droppedonherkneesbesidehischair,andrestedherelbowsonthearm,andherchinonherhands."Mark,youhaveimagination,whichsofewpeopleseemtopossess.Can'tyouunderstandalittle?"
"I'lltry,"hesaidsimply.
"Sebastianisgoodinhisownline—reallygood,"shewenton."Hedoesn'twanttowritethingsaboutsugarbabiesandbluebirds,exceptperhapsaspot-boilers.Hebelievesinthefutureofjazz.He'sworkingonajazzsymphonynow.Andhisthingswillselleventually.Hisworkismarketable.Thatoughttoappealtoyou,"shefinishedalittlebitterly.
"I'mafraidyouandSebastianthinkthatIonlyconsiderthemoneyaspect,"hesaidquietly."Butyouatleasthaveintelligenceenoughtoknowthatisn'tso.Youmakeoutagoodcaseforhim,Gina,andIappreciateyoursideofthething.Idon'tprofesstoknowanythingaboutmodernmusicoritsfuture,butSebastianisveryyoungandhasplentyoftimetoconsidertheposition.EvensupposingIcouldaffordtosendhimtoParisandpayforhistrainingandhiskeep,he'satthestagenowwhenhedoesn'tknowwhathe
wants.Hewouldbejustaslikelyafterayeartodiscoverthathehadaflairforsculpture."
"Youhavenofaith,Mark.Icanseefarther."
"Mydear,itisn'tonlyaquestionoffaith,"hesaidwithasmile."Onehastolookaheadinotherways.Ihadtoworkterriblyhard,Gina,togetwhereI'amnow.Whenrayfatherdied,JulieandIwereeachleftwithtwohundredandfiftyayeartoliveon.Juliegotajobandwebothslavedtomakeendsmeet.NowI'mdoingreasonablywell,butImustlookaheadforyouandSebastian,and,frankly,wecannoneofusaffordtoplayabout."
Shesatbackonherheelsandregardedhimbitterly."Don'tthinkthatI,atanyrate,don'tseehowbeholdenwearetoyou,Mark,"shesaid."It'stheIrishtemperamenttothinkthatotherpeople'smoneyisasgoodasyourown.Sebastiandoesn'tmeanit.Whyshouldyoukeepuslikethis?Whyshouldyou?It'ssohumiliating."
Marklookedreallystartledforthemoment."Gina,forheaven'ssake,child,don'tbegintotalklikethat,"hesaidindistressedtones."I'veoftenthoughtyouwererathersensitiveaboutourfinancialarrangements,butIcan'tbearyoutofeellikethis.Whenyouallcametolivehere,Isimplyhandedovermyshareofourfather'smoneytoJulie,sinceIscarcelyneeditnow,soyouneedn'tthinkyouareentirelydependentonme.Withherownshare,thatgivesherfivehundredtoplayaboutwith.That'snottoobad."
"I'mnotsuchafool,Mark,thatIdon'tknowthatthereareahundredandonethingsyoudoforus,"sheretorted."Well,supposingthereare.Doesitmattersoverymuch?"
"Tomeitdoes.Sebastiancanrepayyouifheworks.Ican'tever.I'mnogoodtoyouas'abusinessproposition."
"Ginadear!"Hisvoicewasgentle."It'sfoolishtotakethesethingssohardly.Idon'twantyoutorepaymeforwhatI'mverygladtodo.Butifyoufeellikethataboutit,howaboutcominginwithmeonthisscholarshipquestion?Youcanhelpmealotbyworkingwithmeinsteadofagainstme,ifyouonlywill.Afterall,Sebastiancanstillworkathismusicwhenhe'satOxford.He'llfindplentyofscopefornewideasthere,andifattheendof,say,acoupleofyearshewasstilldissatisfied,wemightseewhatcouldbedone.Howaboutit?"
Shehadbeenfrowningdeeplyallthetimehewasspeaking,andshewassilentforamoment,thenshesmiledsuddenly,andheldoutherhandtohim."Allright.Youwin,Judge.I'llseethathegetshisscholarshipthistime,"shesaid,andtheyshookhandsformally.
CHAPTERII
I
GINAandSebastianhungoverthepaddockgateandcontemplatedtheSouthernBelle.Nowthatthehuntingseasonwasoverandthemaresafelyturnedouttograss,theycouldaffordtobejocular.
"Honestly,Gina,whydowedoit?"
"Idunno—Markthinksweenjoyit.NosonofIrelandcouldeverbehappywithoutahorse."
Dogsbody,anAlsatianofimpeccablepedigree,whoseearshadneverbecomeerect,whichGinasaidmadehimlooksimple,stretchedhislovelyblackandsilverbodyandyawned.
"DogsbodywasaTurkishSultaninanotherlife,"saidGinaproudly.
"Yousaidyesterdayhewasatrapezeartist,"Sebastianremindedher."It'safterten.IsupposeI'dbetterbegoingback.Teacherwillbewaiting.Whatareyougoingtodo?"
"GoingwithSweenyandthedonkeytoseeMickyDooley."
"LookoutJuliedoesn'tcatchyou,then.Thisisn'tIreland.Farewell,youblisteringfemale!"SebastiansalutedtheSouthernBelle,whoregardedhimwithadubiouseye,thenhewalkedbacktothehousearm-in-armwithGina.
ItwasthesecondweekinAugust,andtheybothbemoanedthefactthatitwasaweekofrealhotweatherwhenSebastianhadtobeginhisworkunderMark'ssupervision.Markwashomefortwomonthsnow,rathertiredafterastrenuousterm,
andneitheroftheyoungGalesrealizedthathehadforgoneaholidayabroadinordertokeepafriendlyeyeonSebastian.Theboywasresignedtohispositionnow,andalthoughhekickedattheworkinvolved,hehadmadeuphismindtogetstarted.
GinametSweenydowntheroad,inordernottobeseenstartingfromtheyard,andsheperchedherselfbesidetheoldmanontheplankwhichdidjusticeforaseat,andtheyrattledawaydownthecountryroad,thedonkey'slittlehoofstwinklinginthesun,Dogsbodylopingbehind.
MickyDooleylivedaloneinameanlittlecottageontheothersideofthevillage.HewasaknownpoacherandlivedtooneartheClevelandsestatesforthepeaceofmindofthekeepers,buthecouldn'tbeevictedandhewastooclevertogetcaught.SweenyhadknownhiminWicklow,twenty-fiveyearsbefore,whentheyhadbothbeenyoungmenofthevillage,andhelikedayarnaboutolddaysonceinawhile.Gina,whostillcouldfeelhomesickforthelandofherbirth,lovedtositlisteningtothetwooldmenoutdoingeachotherwithtalesoftheiryouthfulprowess.
GinaarrivedhomejustbeforelunchtofindtheHunterswereguests.
TheHunterswerenearneighboursofMark'sandhadanonlysonnowfinishinghislastyearatCambridge.
"WeleftEvanlime-washingthekennel,"Mrs.Huntersaid,astheyfinallyfoldeduptheirtable-napkins."Hewonderedifyouwouldcomebacktoteawithusandhelphimfinishit.Barbaraexpectsherpuppiesanytimenow."
"I'dloveto,"saidGinawithalacrity."CanIbringDogsbody?"
"Can'tstandAlsatians.Treacherousbrutes.Yellowstreak.Halfwolves,"saidthecolonelinaseriesofstaccatojerksratherlikemachine-gunfire.
"ButDogsbody'sbeautiful!Imustgoandgetthedustoffhim,"Ginasaid,andvanishedintothegarden.
TheHunterslivedin'apleasantGeorgianhouseamiletheothersideofWesthamStreetvillage,andGina,lookingfresh'andcoolinacleansummerfrock,rodejoyfullythereinthedickyofColonelHunter'stwo-seater,Dogsbodysittingregallybesideher,hisfloppyearsstandinguplikebrokenstalksinavainattempttoprickcorrectly.
ShefoundEvaninthestableyardsurroundedbypailsoflimeandbrushes,andthought,asshealwaysdid,comingsuddenlyuponhimatanytime,howhandsomehewas.Standingfullintheafternoonsun,hepresentedagoldenaspect,withhisthickfairhairandeyebrowsbleachedtoanevenlightershade,hislonggoldlashesandsmoothgoldskin.Hisfriendly,candideyeswerevividlyblueinafacethatwasalmosttoogentleforaman's,andhismouthhadthesweetnessofawoman's.
"Hullo,Gina!"hecalledassoonashesawher."Sogladyoucame.I'vedonetheceiling.Wouldyouliketotakeawall?"Hehandedherabrush,andtheysettowork,
splashingonthelimewithenjoymentwhiletheydiscussedthetriflingnewsofthevillage.Whentheywentbacktothehousefortea,therewasasmallsportscardrawnupbeforethefrontdoorandGinagroaned.
"TheSprat'scometotea,"shesaid.
"Ididn'tknow,"saidEvan."Shemusthavejustdroppedin.Iratherwantedtoseeheranywayaboutthatnewcarshewantstoget."
Theywentintothesquarehighdrawing-room,madecoolandpleasantwithafadedchintz.AgirlwastalkingvivaciouslytoMrs.Hunteronthesofa.
NancyPratt,whowasatpainstochangeherunlovelysurnameassoonaspossible,wasconsideredthebeautyofthedistrict.Indeed,shewassoprettythatshescarcelylookedreal.Withhergoldencurlsandpeach-likecomplexion,heroverworkeddimplesandlittlewhiteteethflashingtogether,shemighthavesteppedstraightfromthecoverofoneofAmerica'smoreexpensivemagazines.Herfather,whoseoriginwasdim,hadplentyofmoney,andherclothesweretheenvyofeverygirlroundWest-hamStreet.
"Hullo,Nancy,"Evansaid,smilingdownintohercharmingface."Niceofyoutolookin.Wemighttalkaboutthecaraftertea.GinaandIhavebeenlime-washingBarbara'skennel."
"Oh,haveyou?Howawfullymessy;butyouloveallthoseunfemininethings,don'tyou,Gina?"Nancylaughed.Dogsbodyenteredbythelongwindowatthatmoment,andstretchedhimselfbesideGina'schair,wherehelayregardinghercakehopefully,littledropsofmoisturerunningofftheendofhistongue."Oh!You'vegotthatdogwithyou.Ialwaysthinkyou'resobravetohaveanAlsatian."NancygavealittleshiverandacceptedherteafromEvan'shandswithasmileofthanks.
"Oh,butGinaisbrave.She'slikeaboyinlotsofways,"saidEvan.
Ginagotuptohelpherselftoabiscuit."Isthatsupposedtobeacompliment?"sheremarkedalittlewryly.
ShelistenedtoEvanandNancydiscussingcars,andrealizedthatNancyhadnogenuinedesiretolearnthemeritsanddemeritsofdifferentmakesforherfutureguidance.Shemerelywantedthesatisfactionofagood-lookingyoungmantakingherinterestssomuchtoheart.
ShesatontalkingtoEvanlongafterthetea-thingshadbeenclearedaway,andMrs.Hunter,withsomevagueremarkaboutleavingtheyoungpeopletochatter,hustledthecoloneloutthroughtheFrenchwindowtolookatthegreen-houses.
Nancy,havingendeavouredinvaintoout-sitGina,rosetoherfeetwitharegretfulair,andpulledoutasmallpowder-compact.
"IsupposeIreallyoughttobegoing,"shesaid,powderinghernosedelicately."I
cangiveyoualifthome,Gina."
"I'vegotDogsbody,soIshallwalk,thanksallthesame,"saidGina,sittingwhereshewas.
"Oh!—well,good-byeforthepresent.IsupposeIshallseeyounextatthechurchfete.Don'tforgettobeingoodtimetohelpdecoratethestall.Mumsie'ssingingduringtea.Youmustbuyheapsofthingsfromourstall,Evan.Don'tforget."
"Rathernot.Ishallcomeandsupportyou,"helaughed,andGinawatchedhimescortNancytothedoorandlistenedcrosslytotheirvoicesinthedrive.
"ShelooksawfullywellinthatAlvis,"Evansaidwhenhecamebacktothedrawing-room."Thatpaleblueandcreamisfrightfullyeffective."
II
GinametherstepmotherjustasshewasenteringtheBarnHouseatseveno'clock.Juliewasgoingupstairstochangefordinner,butwhenshesawGina,sheturnedbackagain,saying,"Really,Gina!Justlookatyoucoveredinpaint!Pleasetrytorealiseyoucan'tbehavenowasyoudidwhenyouweretwelve."
Ginalookedatherstepmother'suncompromisingmouthwithoutspeakingatonce,thenshesaidalittleforlornly,"Julie,Iknowwe'reterriblethornsinyourflesh,butwecan'thelpit.Whydoyoutrytochangeusallthetime?"
Julietuckedahairpinmorefirmlyintoherdarkhairbeforesheansweredalittlecontemptuously,"MydearGina,yousurelydon'tthinkthatyouandSebastianaresouniqueastoneverneedcorrection?Irishcharmdoesn'tcarryyouthatfar,youknow."Gina'spalecheeksflamedintosuddenbrightcolour."Idon'tknowwhyyou'realwayssneeringatIreland,"shesaidinlowtones,"butifyoufeltlikethat,whydidyoumarryFather?Hewasnolesspeculiarthanweare.YoucameintomylifewhenIwasnearlyfifteen,andyouthinkthatgivesyoutherighttointerfereandsneerandaltermywholenature."Hervoicebegantoriseexcitedly."Butyoucan'tchangepeoplelikethat,Itellyou.You'llhurtyourselfintheend."
"Mydear—really!"Juliedrawled."AndallthisbecauseIventuredtocomplainthatyouwerealittle—injudiciousinyourbehaviour."
TherewasaslightsoundbehindthemandtheyturnedtoseeMarkstanding
motionlessinthedoorway.Theyneitherofthemhadanyideahowlonghehadbeenthere,andJuliesaidinasnaturalavoiceasshecouldmanage,"You'dbettergoupandchange,Gina;time'sgettingon."
ThegirlnevergaveanotherlookinMark'sdirection,butwentquitequietlyupthestairsandalongthegallerytoherownroom.
Markstoodlookingathissisterintently,hishandsinhispockets."Julie,mydear,that'snottheway,"hesaidgently.
Shegaveanexclamationofimpatience,andhercolourheightenedalittle."It'sallverywellforyou,Mark.Youdon'thavetocontendwiththingsasIdo,"shesaidquickly."It'snothingbutcomplaining,complainingfrommorningtillnight."
"Iknow.Butwhyshoulditbe?"hesaid."Surelyyoucanletsomethingspass?"
"Butthegirlmustbetaught."
"Yes,butthequestioniswhatisworthteachingandwhatisn't?She'sright,youknow,youcan't'alterpeople'snatures,andIdon'tknowthatyouhaveanyrighttotry."
Sheregardedhimwithacuriousexpressionforamomentortwobeforeshesaid,"Oh,mydearMark,Iknowthatyou'dalwaysstickupforGina,whatevershedid.Isupposeifitcametoacaseofherwordagainstmine,you'dbelieveherfirst."
"That'sabsurd,"hesaidimpatiently."Youmustn'tconfusetheissuelikethis.You'retalkingnowasifthechildhaddonesomethingseriousinsteadofmerelybeingyoungandabitobstreperous."
"Well,youhearhowshetalkstome."
"Yes,mydear,andIhearhowyoutalktoher,"heansweredquietly."Youshouldn'tspeakasyoudo,Julie.You'reverysharpwiththatlittlegirl.It'snotfairtoletyourpersonalfeelingsgetthebetterofyourgoodjudgement.She'squiteright.You'llonlyendinhurtingyourself."
Shewassilent,thenshesaidmoregently,"Oh,IsupposeI'mnogoodatcopingwithmyownsex.IcanmanageSebastianallright.Evenathismosttiresomemomentshemanagestobecharming."
Marksmiledinspiteofhimself,thenhesaidseriously,"ObviouslyyouandGinarubeachotherthewrongwayallthetime,anyonecanseethat.Butit'suptoyoutotry,Julie.Ithinkthechildismuchmoresensitiveandeasilyhurtthanyouimagine.She'sveryrepressed."
"Repressed!MydearMark,that'sjustwhatshe'snot!"Juliecried."She'shadtoomuchfreedom,that'shertrouble."
"No,mydear,youmistookmymeaning.Nevermind,"herbrotherreturned,andwentintohisstudyandshutthedoor.
III
SebastianlayinthehighgrassoftheLongMeadow'andtriedtoconcentrateonCicero'sLetters.
Hewasheartilyboredwithhiswork,regrettedbitterlyhisdecisiontositagainforhisscholarship,andthoughtseriouslyofcuttingloose'altogetherandsettingouttomakehiswayintheworldasajazzmusician.HecametotheconclusionthatMarkwasnobetterthanJuliewhenitcametotryingtoexplainoneself,andGina,whohadofoldbeenasuresupportonalloccasions,hadsuddenlysidedagainsthim.Presentlyheheardtheswishingnoisethatgrassmakesassomeobjectmovesthroughit,andsawthewavingtipsofDogsbody'sblackearscomingtowardhim.Inaminuteheemergedcompletelyandflunghimselfdownpanting,besideSebastian,followedcloselybyGina.
SebastianjoyfullythrewawayCicero,andpreparedtobelazy."Youlookblue,"heremarked."What'sup?"
Hissistersatbunchedtogether,herthinbarearmsclaspedtightlyaboutherknees.Sheworeafadedgreenlinenfrockandnostockings,
"Oh,Idon'tknow.Lifeingeneralisbecomingtoomuchforme,"shesaidgloomily.
"Markbeenupsettingyouagain?"
"Oh,Mark'sreallyverydecent.Julie'stheonewhodislikesmeso."
"Oh,Julie—Ishouldn'tletherworryme."
Ginasmiled."Youdon'tanyhow.Consequentlyshedoesn'ttrysohard."
"Yes,she'sprettyhardonyouattimes."Sebastianadmitted."Butwhatdoyoucare?"
"Ishouldn't,ofcourse,"sheagreedpromptly,"Idon'tinthesensethatIwanthertolikeme.Icanseeshecouldneverdothat.Idon'tblameher.ButIcan'tstandbeingeternallynagged'at.Ifthey'donlyleavemealone."
"They?"
"Oh,Mark'sdecentenough,"shesaidagain."IsupposeInaturallylumphiminwithJulie.AtleastyoucanappealtoMarkasaperson.Youcan'ttoJulie."
"Ifindjusttheopposite.JuliewilloftenlistentomewhereMarkwon't."
Ginalaughedalittleshortly."Weeachfindthestrainlesswithoppositemembersofoursexes,"shesaid."Allitamountstoisthis.Theybothgetheartilyfedupwithus,onlyJuliehidesitbestwhenshe'sdealingwithyou,andMarkwhenandifhe'sdealingwithme,onlyit'sgenerallyJulie,unfortunatelyforme."
"Oh,oldMarkisfondofyou,Ginny,there'snogettingawayfromthat,"saidherbrothershrewdly."Itisn'tonlydutywithhim.Ineverknowwhetheryoureallydislikehimasyouseemto."
Shewassilentamoment,pullingastrandofgrassandchewingit."SometimesIdislikehim,"shesaidslowly."Principallyasabenefactor,Ithink.Ihatebeingunderanobligation."
"Meeknessofspiritandachastenedyokeiswhatyouneed,darling,"Sebastiangibed.
Shefelluponhim,rollinghiminthecoolgrassandticklinghimmercilessly.
"Let'schuckeverythingandgoofffortheday,"shesaidquickly."Justbunk,andletthemstew."
"Whereto?"
"Anywhere.Let'stakeabusintoEastcliffandbatheandeatwinklesandputpenniesintheslot-machinesonthepier."
"Howaboutteacher?"
"Oh,lethimrot.Hewon'twaitforyoumorethanhalfanhour.Ifwesneakinthroughthekitchen,wecanleaveDogsbodythereandborrowsomemoneyoffSweeny."
"Right!Comeon!"criedSebastian,springingjoyouslytohisfeet."Iwasfeelingexactlylikethisbeforeyouturnedup."
Itwasnearlyteno'clockwhentheygotbackintheevening,andSebastianswaggeredalittleastheywentintothedrawing-room.Julielookedupquicklyastheycamein,andhereyeshardened,butshesaidnothing.
"Hullo!"saidSebastiangenerally."Hopeyoudidn'tworryaboutus.We'vebeentoEastcliffandhadagrandtime."Hehaddrunkthreecocktailsonthewayhomeandwasfeelingtalkative."YoushouldhaveseenGinnyinherhiredbathing-suit!Itsaggedin
frontandbehindandwashardlydecent.She'snotbuiltforcomfort,youknow.Youwouldhavebeenamused,Julie.Webehavedjustliketrippers."
StillJuliesaidnothing,whichwassounusualthatGinaconcludedMarkmusthaveenjoinedsilence.Sheglancedacrossathisthin,darkface.Hehadrisenwhensheenteredtheroom,acourtesywhichshefelttobeoutofplaceinthisridiculousatmosphereofchildishbravadotheyhadbroughtinwiththem.
"Whenyoudisappearfortheentiredayanothertime,youmightleaveamessagewiththeservants.It'smoreconsiderate,"hesaidquitequietly,andsatdown'againwithabook.
TheyshuffledfromonefoottotheotherwaitingforJulietospeak,butasshestillsaidnothingbutwentonwithsomeembroideryshewasdoing,theylefttheroom.
"Whatfoolsweare,"saidGina.
"Oh,well,whatdowecare?"Sebastianretorted,andwentoutintothegarden.
ButGinahungaboutuntilbed-time,andwhenJuliehadpassedheratthefootofthestairswithacurt"Goodnight,"sheturnedandwatchedMarkwhileheattendedtothelockingup,waitinguntilhehadfinished.
"I'msorry,Mark,"shesaidsoftly."Wearestupidlittlebeasts."
"It'sofnoconsequenceatall,"hesaidpolitely,andstoodasidetoallowhertoprecedehimupthestairs.
CHAPTERIII
I
GINAstoodbehindherstall,andlistenedtoLadyNapierdeclaringopenthechurchfete.TheNapiershadgraciouslylentClevelandsfortheoccasion,andthevastlawnsweresprinkledwithmarqueesandlittletentsandgailydeckedbooths.Yesterdaytheweatherhadunfortunatelybrokenagain,and,atthemoment,everyonewasdubiouslygratefulforachillandwaterysunwhichshoneuponthem,andwaspreparedtodashforshelteratanymoment.
Theopeningceremonyover,theusualtwitteringbabelarose,andbusinessbegan.
Gina,shiveringinherthinthings,glancedatNancyPrattandhatedherownclothes.NancywasdressedasifforAscotandahugecartwheelhatframedhercharmingface.Goldencurls,flashingdimples,exquisiteskinwereattheirverybestforanyonetosee,andthestallsoonhadasmallcrowdroundit.
TherewasnodoubtaboutitthatNancyknewherjob.Shewascharmingtoeveryone,butsawthateveryonespentmoney."Weshan'thaveanythingleftatthisrate,"shesaidhappily."Iadorebazaars,don'tyou,Gina?"
Gina,hatingeveryminuteofit,saidsoungraciously,andNancysmiledinanirritatingwayandsaidnothing.
LadyNapierwasbuyingatJulie'sstallnextdoor,andGinaheardhersay,"I'mafraidI'venevercalled,Mrs.Gale.It'sdifficulttofitinallonewantstodothesedays,isitnot?ImusttryandgetovertotheBarnHousesoon."
Juliewasgraciousandconciliatory,andtheNapiersmovedontoGina'sstall."Youseemtobedoinggoodtradehere,MissPratt,"LadyNapiersaid,andNancysmiledandsparkled.
"Peopleareverygenerous,"sherepliedcharmingly."Thistea-cosy?Ithinkit'smarkedtenshillings,LadyNapier.Oh,thankyou,soverymuch."ShesawSirCh'arlesstaringratherhardatGina,andsaidonimpulse,"ThisisGinaGalewho'shelpingme."
LadyNapierturnedtosmile'atGina,thenpassedon,sayingalittlestiffly,"IthinkI'veseenyouabouttheplace."
ButSirCharlesdistinctlytwitchedaneyelid,andputapoundnoteintoGina'scollecting-box.
"Doyouknowthem,then?"askedNancycuriously."Sheseemedrathersniffy.Mydear,shespentfivepoundshere.Ibelieveweshallmakemorethananyoftheotherstalls."
Sebastianturnedupaboutfouro'clockandfoundhissisterinchargealone.She
wasstillsmartingfromEvanHunter'sunintentionalrebuff,whenhehadcarriedoffNancytoteawithscarcelyaglanceinherdirection,saying:"Youmustcomeandtakenourishmentbeforeyoudieofoverwork,Nancy.Ginawilllookafterthestallforyou.Comeon."
Nancy,flutteringandalittleembarrassed,said,"Oh,wouldGinamind?IdowanttohearMumsie'sfirstsongs."Andtheyhaddashedawaytothehouse,EvanlaughingatsomethingamusingwhichNancyhadsaid.
"TheSpratleftyouthedonkeywork'asusual,"Sebastianremarked,knowinghissister'sfrownonlytoowell."Oh,she'sdonehershare,"saidGinacrossly.
Juliereturnedfromtea,accompaniedbyMark,andcameoverforamomenttoaskhowGinawasdoing.
"Splendid!"sheexclaimedwhenGinatoldher."Theywillbepleased.Nancyisawonderfullittleworker.She'slookingsoverypretty,don'tyouthink,Mark?"
"Ratheroverdressed,Ithought,"Marksaid,andGinacouldhavehuggedhim.
"I'mcomingbacklaterontotakeyouoffforanice,Gina,"hesaidashemovedawaywithJulie.
"Comeon,there'stheSprat.Nowwe'llhavetea,"saidSebastian,andseizinghissisterbythehand,hemarchedherawaywithoutevenwaitingforNancytotakeover.
Whentheygotbacktothestall,theyfoundNancytryingtofleeceherfatherintheinterestsofthechurch,andheostentatiouslyputaten-poundnoteintothebox.Hewasabig,snub-nosedmanwithastomachandacigar,knowntohisfellowmembersofthegolf-clubasPortWinePrattowingtohisdistressinghabitofboastingabouthiscellar.AtthesametimeMrs.Prattjoinedherfamilyandbrokeintorapidspeech.Shewaslargeandself-importantlikeherhusband,andworeaperpetualsmile.Shewassmilingnow,eventhoughshewasangry.
"Iwillnever,"shesaidemphatically,"Iwillneversingagainatanaffairofthiskind.Peoplerattletheirteacupsandturntheirbacksonone.It'soutrageous!"
"YoucanscarcelyblametheSpratwhenyouseethem,canyou?"whisperedGina.
Sebastiandeparted,sayinghecouldn'tstanditanylonger,andGinabegansellingagain.
Businesswasslacknow.Allthebestthingshadgone,andNancyhadlostinterestinherstallandwasflirtingprettilywithEvan.
Quitesuddenlyastormofraindescendeduponthem,andpeoplehurriedforshelterandstall-holdersfrenziedlycoveredtheirstallswithtarpaulins.
"Myclotheswillberuined,"wailedNancy,strugglingwithherendofaground-sheet."Ican'tuntiethis.Oh,thanks,Evan.Imustgoin.Gina,couldyoucollectthemoneyandbringit'afterme?"
"Whatdoyouthinkmyclothesaremadeof?Oilskin?"Ginainquiredsweetly.
WithMark'shelpshecoveredupeverythingthatmattered,andtuckingthecollection-boxesoneundereacharm,sheranforthenearestmarquee.
"You'veearnedyourice,"hesaidashefollowedherin."Let'sfindatable."
"Wemusthavemadeanawfullotofmoney,"shesaid,asshesatoppositehimeatingastrawberryice,andhewatchedhereatingwiththefrankenjoymentofaschoolgirl,andthoughthowdifferentshelookedwhenshewashappy.
"Ilikeyou,Gina,"hesaidimpulsively."There'snopretenceaboutyou."
Sheglancedupathimswiftly,hertiltedeyesgreenandvivid,andcolouredalittle."Ihopethat'snotthesamethingasbeinglikeaboyinlotsofways,"shesaidwithafunnylittletwisttoherlips.
"Whotoldyouathinglikethat?"heaskedquickly.
"Oh,ithasbeensaid,"sherepliedwithhersuddenwidesmile.
Heregardedherquizzicallyforamomentortwo,thensaidseriously,"You'renotlikeaboyinanywaythatdetractsfromyourbeing'agirl."
Sheconsideredthis,decidedthatshewassuddenlyalittleoutofherdepthwithhim,andrelapsedintosilence,herprincipaldefenceinmomentsofdoubt.
Notverylongafterthis,theyheardthebandplaying"GodSavetheKing"fromaneighbouringmarquee,andthefetecametoanend.
II
Ginasatinfrontofhermirror,brushingherhair.Sheworeagreenandyellowsilkdressing-gown,withalargerentdowntheback,andSebastian,cominginforamomenttoborrowsometooth-paste,stoodstaringatherinamazement.Shewasbrushingherhairwithearnestdeliberation,whichsightwassounusualinitselfthathestoodwatching
herforsomemomentswithoutspeaking.
"Hallo!What'sthetime?"sheaskedwithoutturninground.
"Abouteleven—later,Ithink.CanIpinchyourtoothpaste?"Hewentovertothewash-stand,pausingonhiswaytopickupthefrockwhichshehadwornatthefetethatafternoonandwhichstilllayinaheaponthecarpet."What'stheidea,darling?"
"Sebastian,doyouthink,ifIdidmyhairdifferently,itwouldimproveme?"shesaidintently,peeringintothemirrorandcloselyregardinghersmallface.Intheglareoftheelectriclight,herthickhair,springingstronglyfromherhighforehead,gleamedmagnificentlyafteritsintensivebrushing.Shepresseditclosetoherheadwithherhands,tryingitthiswayandthat."DoyouthinkitwouldlookbetterifIhaditcutshorter?"shecontinued."It'ssowildandbushy."
Sebastiancameandstoodbehindherwithhisheadononeside."Idunno.Perhapsitwould,"hesaidcritically,"Ineverthoughtaboutitreally."
"IfIgotthemtocutitquiteclosetomyhead,itwouldcurlintomyneckandroundmyears,andstayshinyontopinsteadofgettingliketow,"shedecided."Don'tyouthinkthen,Sebastian,thatwouldmakealotofdifferencetomyface?"
"Well,Idunno,"hesaidagain."Yes,Isupposeitwould.Youwouldn'tlooksowitch-like."
"DoIlookwitch-like?"
"Whenyoufrownyoudo."
"Oh,forgetit,Ican'tbebothered!What'sitmatteranyway?"sheexclaimed,andsuddenlyranherfingersupwardsthroughherhair,makingitstandwildlyonend.
"Itdoesn't!"Sebastianagreed,andsatdownonGina'sbed."TheSwanniscomingfortheweek-end."
"Oh,lord!"saidGina,wheelingroundonherstooltofacehim."IsthatwhyJulie'sbeengoingaboutlookingaSaintofGodalltheevening?Wouldshereallymarrytheman,doyouthink?"
"WouldhemarryJulie?"counteredSebastian.
"Yes,Ithinkso.He'sthesortofmanwhowouldlikeagood-lookingwifeofsensibleageandbettersocialpositionthanhimselftomindhismillionswhilehehasagoodtime,"Ginasaidshrewdly."Andouryoungstep-mammaisjustthesortoffooltodoittoo."
"Still,themanhasmoney,"saidSebastianwithunconsciousrespect.
"Andheneedsit,"retortedGina.
"ThosePrattsareprettygrim,"Sebastiansaid,chuckling."Givethemselvessuchairstoo."
"Juliesaysthey'reclimbershopingtogetintoheavenbywayofthenewchurchhall."
"Ohwell,Tdon'tsupposeitwilleverbebuilt,"saidSebastiancheerfully."Thesethingsneverare.NancyseemswellawaywithEvanHunter."
"Yes."Ginapaused,thencontinuedwithafrown,"Shealwaysmakesmefeelperfectlysexless,Sebastian."
"Sexless?Whatonearthdoyoumean?"
"WhatIsay.She'ssoterriblyfemininesheseemstotakeitalloutofme.Ifeelperfectlyhopelessbesideher."
"Iknow.DoyouwanttofeelfemininewithEvanthen?"
"Well,onelikestobedesiredbyhandsomeyoungmen,"saidGinafrankly.
Herbrotherlookedatherthoughtfullyforamoment,thensaidwithunexpectedshrewdness,"You'llneverattractveryyoungmen,Ginny.Theylikesomethingfarmoreobvious.Youmustaimyourdeadlyshaftsatmenoverthirty."
III
Theweek-endwasunfortunatelywet,sothattheyall,withthepossibleexceptionofJulie,hadfartoomuchofVictorSwann.
Hewasavirile,verydarkmanofthirty-eightorso,withtheflamboyant,slightlyoverripegoodlooksofhistype.Hewasthesortofmanwhoisathisbestplaying"sardines,"agameatwhichheexcelled.Ginahadamostintensedislikeofhim,mixedwithcontemptforJuliewhocouldnotseethroughhim.Whatshedidn'tappreciatewasthefactthatJuliesawthroughhimperfectlyanddidn'tcare.
MarkenduredhimforJulie'ssake.Interm-timehealwaysavoidedtheweek-endswhichbroughtthedashingVictor,andremainedintown.
BythetimeteawasoveronSunday,Markwasfeelingsomuchonedgethatheshuthimselfupinhisstudy,andtriedtoconcentrateonwritingsomeover-dueletters.VictorandJulieweredancinginthehall,andthegramophoneblaredceaselesslyfornearlyanhour.Atlast,whensilencereignedandtheywentintothedrawing-roomtoindulgeinmildflirtation,thepeacewasrentbySebastianworkingveryloudlyonhislatestcomposition.Markboreitaslongashecould,thenhepushedbackhischairwithanexclamationandwentintothehall.
"Can'tweeverhaveanypeaceinthishouse?"hedemandedirritably."It'simpossibletoconcentrateonanythingwithsuchaninfernaldingoingon.Can'tyouamuseyourselfsomewhereelse?"
Sebastianlookedsurprised.Markwasnotasaruleimpatient."Whatisthereintheworldtodo?"hecomplained,"it'spouredallday,andwecan'tgointhedrawing-roomforfearofdisturbingthelovers."
HesawfromMark'sexpressionthathehadgonealittletoofar,andturnedbacktothepianoandbeganstrummingwithonefinger.
"Whyonearthcan'tyougoawayanddosomeworkinsteadofloafingaboutallday?"Marksaid."You'relazyenoughasitis,andyoudidpracticallynothinglastweek."
"It'stheSabbath,Mark,"saidGinapiouslyfromthestairs,whereshehadbeensittingallthetime.
"Oh,Ican'tworktoday,Mark,"Sebastiansaid.
"Well,you'llonlyhaveadoubledosetomorow,"Markrepliedindifferently."You'llhavetoworkwithmeintheafternoon'aswellasthemorning.We'vegottogetthroughit."
"Sebastiancan'tpossiblyworktomorrow,"criedGinahigh-handedly."We'vearrangedapicnicwiththeNeillsandawholecrowdoftheirfriends.Itwasfixedweeksago."
Markturnedtoregardheralittlecuriously,thenhesaid:
"IquitethoughtyouunderstoodhowimportantitwasforSebastiantogethisscholarshipthistime."
"Oh,he'llgetit,easyasspittinginaduckpond,"shedeclared.
"That'saveryfoolishthingtosay,"Marksaidquietly."Hedidn'tfinditsoeasylasttime."
"That'sbecausehedidn'ttroubletowork."
"Itdoesn'tseemtomethathe'stroublingverymuchnow."
Ginaexperiencedoneofhersuddenlittlespasmsofrageagainsthim,andawaveofunreasonabledislikesweptoverhermomentarily.
"Goodlord,Mark!You'renotourbloomingkeeper!"shecriedlikeaboy,thenbecamescarletassherealizedthatshehadrepudiatedthatwhichwasactuallythetruth.Didn'tMarkvirtuallykeepthemboth,whenitcametohardfacts?
Shehadjumpeduponherlastwords,andnowstoodirresolute,staringathimandbitingherlips.
Helookedatherwithanoddexpressionforamoment,andsawhergreeneyessuddenlyfillwithtears.
"Thinkitover,Gina,"hesaidgently,andwentbacktohisroomandshutthedoor.
IV
VictorSwanndepartedthenextdayafterbreakfastandwentbacktohisvaguebusinessinLondon.Noonehadyetdiscoveredwhathedid,orevenifhedidanything.Hehadmanagedtomakeagreatdealofmoneyjustafterthewar,andonthathesubsistedverycomfortablyasabachelor.
Itwasalovelydayafterthewetweek-end,andSebastianspokecheerfullyoftheassuredsuccessoftheirpicnic.
"Butyouaren'tgoing,Sebastian,"Ginaprotested,pausinginhergroomingofDogsbodyinthestableyard.
"Whyevernot?Wefixeditweeksago."
"Yes,butafterwhatMarksaidyesterday—"
"Oh,Mark!Hedidn'tmeanit."
Ginapushedheruntidyhairoffherforeheadwiththebackofthedandybrush."Sebastian,ofcoursehemeantit.He'llstickintodaywaitingforyoujustashedidthatdaywewenttoEastcliff.He'llexpectyoutowork."
"Oh,well—"Sebastiankickedataloosebrick."Heshouldn't,that'sall.Blessedishe,etcetera.Youknow."
"You'vegottoworktoday,Sebastian,"saidGina,resumingherbrushing."What'sapicnic,anyway?—Rollover,boy."
"Itisn'tthat,it'stheprincipleofthething.Wecan'tbeforeveryokedtoauthority.Besides,you'llbeenjoyingyourself.WhyshouldIsweatawayindoors?"
"I'mnotgoing,"saidGina.
"Oh,well,perhaps—Ithinkyou'rean'awfulfool,Ginny.
Seeyoulater,then—"Sebastianlefttheyardandwentbacktothehouse.
GinawenttolunchwiththeHunters,andafterwardsEvanwalkedhomewithher.Theirpathlaypleasantlythroughwoodsandfields,andtheyidledalong,enjoyingtherichearthysmellsgivenupbythesoakedland.Theyclimbedastileintoacornfieldandwalked,arminarm,betweenthetallgolden-greenblades.
"Let'ssitdown,"saidEvan.
"It'llberatherwet."
"Youcanhavemycoat."Hetookitoffandspreaditonthegroundforher,andshes'atdownwithalittlelaugh.
"Howdoyoumanagetolooksocoolonadaylikethis?"heaskedher.
"Cool?Withhairlikemine!"shelaughed.
"'Redhair,troublenear,'"heteasedher."Butyouhaveaqueerremotelittleface,Gina,andgenerallysopale."
Hewasnotoldenoughyettoreadwhatwasalreadywrittenplainlyinhermouth,inhersensitivenostrils,inthequickcolourwhichevennowwasrisingtohercheeks.Forperhapsthefirsttime,henoticedhoweasilysheblushed.Thisintriguedhim.Hebegansayingallthemostpersonalthingshecouldthinkof,forthepleasureofwatchingherchangecolour.Butonceitwasplaintoherthathewasonlyshamming,shebecameimmune,andhefinallygaveitup.
"Nancy'salovelycreatureforthoseparentsofherstohaveproduced,"hesaidsuddenly.
"She'sterriblypretty,"Ginaagreedwithaneffort.
Helookedatherhalflyingagainstthecoolbackgroundofwheat.Herfacewasturnedfromhim,andtherewasamomentaryunexpectedbeautyinthelonglinefrom
chintobreast,theyoungsharpcurveofhershouldersasshesupportedherweightonheroutspreadhands.Heleantoverherimpulsivelyandsaid:
"You'reratherattractiveyourself,Gina—I'dneverthoughtaboutitbefore."Sheturnedastartledfacetowardshim,andhesaidsimply,"I'mgladwe'refriends,"andkissedhergentlyonthelips.
Shesatquitestillforamoment,thenjumpedupquickly.
"IoughttobebackbynowincaseSebastianfinishesearly,"shesaidunhurriedly."Don'tcomeanyfartherwithme,Evan.Iwanttorun."
"Allright,ifyou'dratherIdidn't."Hescrambledtohisfeetandstoodlookingatherwithapuzzledexpression."Youdidn'tmindmykissingyou,Gina?"hestammeredawkwardly.
"Ofcoursenot.Itdoesn'tmeananything,"shesaidlightly.
"No,ofcoursenot,"hesaidinrelievedtones."Well,solong.I'llbeoverfortennisonThursday."
Shewatchedhimwalkawaythroughthecorn,hiscoatslungoverhisshoulder,hishairandskingleaminginthesun,andbeganslowlytowalkintheoppositedirection.Shewasfilledwithaninexplicabledesiretositdowninthegrassandcry.SheknewthathadshebeenNancyPratt,hewouldnothavekissedherlikethat,andshewasbitterlydisappointedinanexperiencewhichhadheldnodelightforeitherofthem.
JuliewascuttingrosesinfrontofthehousewhenGinagotback,andshepausedtoasksharply,"Where'sSebastian?"
Ginastoppedandlooked'atherstepmotherinsurprise."Isn'thehere?"shesaid.
"Youknowverywellheisn't,"Juliereplied."Hewentoffinthemiddleofthemorningandhasn'tbeenseensince-.Goneonhispreciouspicnic,Isuppose.What'sthepointinyoucomingbackwithouthim?"
"Oh,Julie,I'msorry.Iquitethoughthemeanttostopinandworktoday,"Ginasaid,distressed."Ididn'tgototheNeillsatall.I'vebeenattheHuntersallthistime.Ihaven'tseenSebastian."
"Well,Mark'sbeenhangingaboutalldayforhim,"saidJulie,determinedtogetherirritationoffhermind."Really,Gina,it'sabittoomuch!Mark'sgivenupaholidayabroadtoremainhereandcoachSebastian,andthisisallthethankshegets.Youneitherofyouhaveanyknowledgeofthemeaningofthewordgratitude."Herhandsomeeyesbrightenedangrily,andshesnippedoffadeadbloomwithaviciousgesture.
"Well,I'mterriblysorry,Julie,"Ginasaidagain,"butitreallyisn'tmyfault.Igaveupthepicnicmyself,soasnottogowithoutSebastian."
"Well,youneedn'tmakeamartyrofyourselfoverit.Sebastianisn'ttheonlyoffenderbyanymeans,"snappedJulie,andGina,withaslightshrugofherthinshoulders,turnedawayandwentintothehouse.Shefelttiredanddispirited,andshewasfuriouswithSebastianforhavingletherdownafterall.
ShemetMarkonthestairsandbegantoexplainalloveragain.
"Ididn'tknow—weneitherofusknewyouhadgivenupgoingabroadinordertocoachSebastian,"shefinishedup."Thatmakesmefeelperfectlyfrightfulabouteverything.IwishIwasSebastian.I'dworksothatthere'dneverbeanobligationononesideonly."
Hestoodlookingdownatheralittlegravely."IthinkyouhavetheIrishdifficultyinacceptingfavoursgracefully,"hesaid."WhydoyoualwaysthinkofanythingIdoforyouinsuchaconcreteform?"Shewassilent."IsitthefactthatIhelpyoumateriallywhichmakesyoudislikeme?"
"Idon'tdislikeyou,"saidGinainlowtones.
Hesmiled."I'mafraidyoudo,"hesaid,thengaveheragentlepatontheshoulder."Nevermind.Perhapsyouwon'talwaysfeellikethis.Letmetalktotheboywhenhecomesin,willyou?"
CHAPTERIV
ATthebeginningofSeptember,MarkwentuptoScotlandforthreeweeksshootingbeforetermbeganagain,andJulieannouncedunexpectedlythatshewastakingGinauptotownforanighttobuyclothes.
"You'rereallyadisgrace,"shesaidtoGinaquitegraciously."Iwanttohaveyouproperlyfittedout,andIshalltakeyoutoadecenthairdressertoo."
IfGinasuspectedMark'shandinthis,shesaidnothingexcept,"Where'sallthe
cashcomingfrom,Julie?"
"It'smyjobtoclotheyou,"Juliesaid,thinkingagainofherbrother'swordsbeforehewentnorth.
"I'mmakingoveranotherhundredayeartoyouforGina'sspecificuse,"hehadsaid."Seethatshehasthesortofthingsgirlsofheragewant,givehersomepocket-money,andforheaven'ssakedon'tletherfindoutit'smymoney.Letherthinkyou'vebeenkeepinghertightforanallowanceandhavechangedyourmind,orsomething."
ThiswasnearenoughtothetruthtomakeJulieblushslightly,andsheagreed,thinkingthatthegirlwouldprobablybeagooddealmorebearableifshewaspresentablethanifshewasnot.
Evenswornenemiescanbecometemporaryfriendsoverthesubjectofclothes,iftheyarewomen,andJulieandherstepdaughterwerealmostunitedduringtheirbrieftoLondon.Ginatookakeeninterestinshopping,andwasperfectlywillingtoacceptadvicefromJulieonallmattersofherpersonalappearance.ThusshemadenoobjectionwhenJuliedecreedshemustwearthinshoeswithhighheels,andsmallfloweryhats;norwhenJulie'shairdressercutoffmostofherhairtosuitthehat.Thesuperciliousmillinerhaddeclaredthatthehatbecamemodom'spiquantstyle,whilethehairdresseradmiredthecolourofherhair.
Julie,doingthethingproperly,boughtcreamsandpowderandlipstick,morepairsofstockingsthanGinahadeverownedinherlife,andanewhandbagwhichsmeltlikeaprayer-book.
"Butcanweaffordallthis?"Ginaaskedseveraltimes.
"Ofcourse,mydear.ItoldyouIhaven'tbeenspendingnearlyenoughonyourclothesuptodate,andthemoney'sjustlainthere,"JuliesaidVaguely,wonderingwithaflashofinterestwhatMarkwouldthinkoftheresultsofhisexpenditure.Probablyhewouldn'tevennotice.Menweresohopelessaboutclothes.ShethoughtofGina'sfather,whohadlivedinoldtweedshimselfandhadnevernoticed,yearinoryearout,whatshehadworn.Victor,now,knewagreatdealaboutwomen'sdress.SheglancedatGinatryingonhernewthingsinfrontofthelongmirrorintheirhotelbedroom,andwonderedalittledubiouslyifVictorwouldnoticeGina.
Sebastianatanyratehadsomethingtosay."Iapprove,"heaffirmedupontheirreturn."Youhavestylenow,Ginny.Youdon'tlooksomuchliketheEnglishideaofanIrishcolleennow.Juliehastaste."
"Och!MissGina,yelooktheelegantladyentirely!"wasSweeny'scontribution.
Juliewaspleased.Ginaseemedmuchquieteroflate,andSebastianhadworkedwellduringMark'sabsence.
Sebastian,however,wastheninnohurrytothinkofwork.Hehadmanagedtosell
Paupers'Paradefortenpoundsoutright,andhisoldinterestinhismusicwasrevivedwithaburningfervour.
"Howdidyoudoit?"demandedGinaexcitedly,disturbingtheprecisionofhernewly-arrangedhairbythrustingherfingersthroughitagitatedly.
"Well,yourememberFredDoylewhomwemetoverthereatEaster?"Sebastiansaid."HetoldmethentosendhimanythingIdidandhe'dtryandgetitplaced.He'soverherenow,playinginsomeLondonband,andIsenthimPaupers’Paradeaboutafortnightago,onlyIdidn'tsayanythingtoyouincasenothingcameofit.Doyle'sbosshasboughtitforthebandandit'sgoingtobebroadcast!"
"Oh,Sebastian!Buttosellitoutrightfortenpounds!"criedGina."Idothinkthatwassilly.Yououghttobegettingroyaltiesandthings.Itmightbeahugesuccess."
"Yes,Ithoughtofthatafterwards,"Sebastianadmitted."ButwhatdoIcare?Iftheywantanythingelsethey'llhavetopayforit.What'sthat,anyway,tothefunofgettingitplaced?"
"IalwaysthoughtFredDoylehadajollygoodbusinessinstinct,"Ginasaidsignificantly.
"You'renotgoingtoneglectyourexam,Ihope,Sebastian,"saidJulieanxiously."AfterallMark'sdone—"
"Oh,it'sallright,Julie.Youneedn'ttellmeallMark'sdone—I'vehaditallfromGina,"hesaidreluctantly."Butyoumustadmitthatathingofthiskinddoesinspireonewithasenseofone'sownability."
"WhatIlikeaboutyou,Sebastian,isyourcharmingmodesty,"Julieobservedalittletartly,butshesmiledallthesameasshesaidit.
Markwrotethathewascomingsouthbynight,onthe29th,andwouldcomedowntoSussexforafewdaysbeforestartingworkagain.Thedaybeforehewastoarrive,Ginareceivedatelegramwhichsaid:"Cometotown30thmeetmelunchQuaglino's1.15.Returntogetherevening.Proctor."
"Hemustbeloopy!"wasGina'scomment,asingenuinebewildermentshehandedthemessagetoJulie.Juliecompressedherlipsandcrumpledthetelegramuprathersuddenly.WhatonearthhadpossessedMark?
"You'dbettergoupbythe11.5,"shesaidshortly."Andforheaven'ssake,Gina,don'tgowanderingoffsomewhereinLondonandloseyourselfbeforeyoueverfindMark."
"Butwhyshouldhepickonme?"saidGina,stillpuzzled,andJuliewasirritated.
"Iexpecthesimplywantstotakeyoutoamatinee,"shesaid."It'squiteausual
thingtodo.Youneedn'tmakeasongaboutit."
Ginacolouredalittleathertone,andSebastiansaidwithfrankdisappointment,"Whyonearthdidn'theincludeme?Thenwemighthavehadaday!"
GinaarrivedinLondonfeelingratherlost.Shedidn'tknowherwayaboutverywell,andwasatalosstoknowwhattodowithherselfforthethree-quartersofanhourlefttoherbeforegoingtomeetMark.AkindlypolicemanpointedouttheNationalGallery,andsinceitwasfreeandshehadn'tmuchmoney,shewentinandlookedabout.
"Ofalltheplaces!"sheconfidedafterwardstoSebastian."Idon'twonderit'sfree.Ishouldn'tthinkthey'dhavethenervetochargeforwhatyouseethere!"
Later,however,shediscoveredthatthepictureswhichboastedbothglassanddarkbackgroundsprovedtobeadmirablemirrors,andsheamusedherselfforsometimebyviewingherselfatdifferentandunexpectedangles,andwonderingwhatimpressionshewouldmakeuponMark.
ShetookataxitoQuaglino's,havingverylittleideawhereitwas,andenteredalittletimidly.Shewasmuchtooearly,andsatdownrathernervouslytowait,tryingnottoappearsoterriblyconsciousofthewaitersandthepeopledrinkingcocktailsasshefelt.
WhenMarkcamein,shehadtohailhim,sincehehadonlygivenheracursoryglanceandhadobviouslynotrecognizedher.
"Goodlord,you'rehere!"heexclaimed,andshookhandswithher."Comeandhaveacocktail,thenwe'llgoin."Hegavehisorder,thensatdownbesideher,andshesuddenlyfeltalittleshyofhim.Whiletheysippedtheirdrinks,shewasconsciousofhiseyescontinuallyuponher,andwhen,inthedining-room,theywereseatedoppositeeachotheratacornertable,shesaid:"I'veletJulietakemeinhand.DoyouthinkI'manimprovementnow?"
Hesmiledatherwayofputtingit."I'vetoldyoubeforethatyouwereattractive,"hesaid."Nowyou'vesimplyemphasizedthefactinsteadofhidingitup.Incidentallyyou'reoneofthefewpeopleIlikeinthoseludicroushats."
"Oh,Mark,youarenice,"shesaidimpulsively."Iwillsaythehatgivesmeanillusionofcharm,anyway."
Heleanedforwardandstudiedherface,thenhelaughed."Oh,Gina!Lipsticktoo!"hesaid,andthatseemedtoamusehimmorethananything.
Hetookhertoamatineeafterlunch,andwhentheyemergedfromthetheatreatfiveo'clock,hesaidsuddenly,"IthinkImustaddsomethingtoallthismagnificence.Come'along."
Theywenttoajeweller'sinJermynStreet,andheboughtheranecklaceofsmall,perfectlymatched,polishedjadebeads,whichsheinsisteduponwearingstraightaway.
"Oh,thankyou,Mark.Howperfectlyheavenlyofyou,"shesaidgratefullywhentheygotoutside."I'vealwayslongedtopossessjade,andneverthoughtIshould.Itwasterriblyextravagantofyou."
"Nevermind,Green-Eyes,yourgreenbeadsareverysuitable,"helaughed,ashehailedataxi.
They'arrivedhomeintimefordinner,andbothJulieandSebastiannoticedthenecklace,butwhileSebastiancommentedonitfreely,Juliesaidnothing.Shewatchedherbrothercarefullyallthroughdinner,andsnubbedGinawhenshebecameexcited.
MarksawGinanowwithout'ahat,andlookedonseveraloccasionsathersmallhead,whoseexcellentshapewasnowrevealedforthefirsttime.
"DoyoulikeGinny'snewstyleofcoiffure?"askedSebastianinterestedly."Shehasn'tbeenleftverymuch,hasshe?"
"Theywere'abitruthless!"Markagreed."Verybecoming,allthesame."
Sebastiangrinned,butJuliefrowned."Ifyou'vequitefinished,Gina,shallweleavethem?"shesaidinherprecisetones.
Theeveningswereverycoldnow,andtheysatroundafireinthedrawingroomlisteningtoMark'saccountofScotland.LaterSebastianwentintothehalltoturnonthewireless,andpresentlyhecamerushingin,crying:"Ginny,they'replayingmytune!Now!Comequick,andlisten."
Shejumpedupandranintothehall.ItwasthrillingtohearSebastian'sworkcomingovertheether,playedbyafirst-classdance-band.Shelistenedwithraptattention,herfeetintheirnewhigh-heeledslippersmovingtotherhythm.Ayoungmanwithawailingnasalvoiceandapronouncedbroguewhinedoutthechorus,andattheendavoiceannouncedpleasantly:
"YouarelisteningtoBudBrownandhisboysplayingfromtheGrandHotel,Mayfair.Wehavejustplayedyouanumber,Paupers'Parade.NowFredDoyleisgoingtosingtoyoualittlecomedynumberentitled—"
"Oh,Sebastian!"Ginacriedasherbrotherswitchedofftheinstrument."It'sgood.Iknewitwas.Youmighthavemadealotofmoneyoverit.Youwereafool!"
"Itisagoodtune,"saidMarkfromthedoorway,wherehehadbeenstandingandlistening."Didsomebodydoyou,Sebastian?"
Ginaexplainedindignantly,andMarklaughed."I'mafraidGina'sright,"headmitted."Ifearyou'venotmuchbusinesssense."
"Oh,well,whatdoIcare?"returnedSebastianasusual,andhesatdownatthe
pianoandplungedintohislatestcomposition.
CHAPTERV
OCTOBERwasalovelymonth.ArealSt.Luke'ssummerlayoverthecountry,alasttardyreparationforthecoldwetmonthsofJulyandAugust.Thecubbingseasonwaswelladvanced,andGinaenjoyedtheearlymistymorningsbeforebreakfast,havingafewlongcantersontheSouthernBellestillalittleblownoutfromgrass,anddoingverylittleinthewayofactualhunting,asisthewaywithSussexpacks.Sebastian,preferringhisbedanydaytogettingupearlyandbestridingahorse,gladlygavehisshareofthemaretohissister,andsleptuntilthegongrang.Hewasworkingveryspasmodicallyinthesedays,alwaysmore'anxioustositatthepianothanathisdesk.Thehouseechoedwithsyncopation,and,oneSunday,FredDoylewasinviteddowntoSussextospendthedayattheBarnHouse.
Doylewasafreckled,sandy-hairedindividualoftwenty-twoorso,withthedisturbingeyesofhisrace.Buthisbroguewasrich,hismannersvile,andhisnailswantedcleaning.HetreatedSebastianwithaneasyairofcondescension,andspentmostofthedayatthepiano,playinghisowncompositions,whichheobviouslygreatlyadmired.
Juliewasfranklydisgusted,butMarkderivedmuchamusementfromwatchingGina'sflankattacksindefenceofherbrother.EachtimetheconversationswungroundtoDoyle'sachievements,shedraggeditbackagaintoSebastian.Whenheplayedsomethingofhisownandpausedforcommendation,shesaid:"NowplayPaupers'Parade."SheremarkedpointedlyonseveraloccasionsthatSebastianshouldneverhavesoldthethingoutright,andthatheshouldbegettingroyaltiesoneachbroadcastperformance.
"Notatall,"Doylesaid."Wejustboughtitfortheband.Theboys'llplayittillthey'retiredofit,thenthey'lldropit.Youmustwriteussomethingelse,Gale."
"Itoughttobepublishedproperlyandputonsale,"saidGina,bristlingwithindignation.
"Oh,itwouldn'tbeworthyourwhile.It'snothingatall,really,andwouldn'tmakeanymoney,"herepliedairily,sayingalmostinthesamebreath,"Whatdoyouwanttobeworkingatbuksfor,Gale,whenyoumightbemakinghundthredswritingdancestuff?Itisn'trightatall,andIthinkyou'reafool."
"Itisverynecessaryformybrothertogetthroughhisexams,Mr.Doyle,"Ginasaidfiercely."Soit'snousetalkingtohim'aboutthehundredshe'llmaketillhe'sdoneit."
"Examinations!Andwhatshouldhewantwiththem?"Doyleexclaimed,openinghisthicklylashedeyeswidely."Divilapennywilltheyputinhispocket,andhimwithatasteforthejazz.You'vechanged,MissGina,sincewemetintheouldcounthry."
"Ican'tstandthatyoungman,"GinasaidtoMark,havingleftDoyleandherbrothertotheirowndevices."He'salloverthehouseatonce,andhasn'tthemannersofalouse."
"He'snotexactlyprepossessing,Iagree,"laughedMark."Comeforawalk,Gina.That'llgiveusbreathing-spacetilltea-time."
TheywalkedbrisklyalongthecountryroadsinthewarmOctobersun,Dogsbodyfollowinghappilyattheirheels.Marksmokedapipeashelimpedalongcontentedly,andGinastrodeoutbesidehim,herhandsthrustintothepocketsofanewtweedjacket,andfeltmoreatpeace.
"I'msoafraidhe'llunsettleSebastianagain,"shesaid,referringtoDoyle."Sebastian'sbeenabitrestlesseversincehesoldPaupers'Parade,andhe'llbetentimesworseaftertoday,withDoyletellinghimoneminutehisstuff'sworthnothing,andthenextthathe'llmakeafortune.Hedithersenoughasitis."
Markglanceddownatherinamusement."You'vechangedyourviewssincewefirstdiscussedSebastian'sfuture,"heremarked.
Shenodded."Well,Idoseeyoursideofthething,andI'mnotsureyouaren'tperhapsrightaboutSebastiannotknowinghisownmindyet,"shesaid,addingquicklyandalittlefiercely,"NotthatIdon'tthinkhewouldn'tbebetterworkingatthethinghereallylikes,andIdobelievehehasafutureifhestickstoit.ButsometimesI'mawfullyafraidSebastianwillthrowchancesawayjustwhenthey'reunderhishand."
"Well,he'llhavetimetothinkthingswelloveratOxford,"Marksaid."Andhecanstillgooncomposingandsellinghisstuffifit'smarketable."
"Yes,Isupposeyou'reright.Ionlyhopehe'llbeabletostickitouttillDecember.Sebastian'ssounaccountable.Hemightthroweverythingupatthelastminute."Ginasighed.
"Nonsense!Havinggotasfarasthis,there'dbenopointinnotgoingthroughwithit,"saidMark."BesidesIrelyonyoutokeephimgoing,Gina."
"Well,Idomybest,"shesaid,callingtoDogsbody."Butyoucan'tmakeanasslepthatwon't.Oh,lord!Howwesuffer!Doylethisweek-end,theSwannthenext."
ShescarcelyevermentionedVictor'svisitstothehouse,sincehewasJulie'sguest,andMarksaidquickly,"Youdon'tlikehim?"
"Well,doyou?"
"Iconfesshe'snotmuchinmyline."
"Normine.Anyhow,youcanstayaway.Ican't.Areyoucomingdownnextweek-end?"
"Well,I'mafraid"beganMarkwithasmile,andhecuthimshortwith"Ofcourseyou'renot."
Shekickedastoneviolentlyoutofherpathandwalkedalonginsilenceforalittle,thenshesaid,asifshecouldkeepitinnolonger,"Mark,isJuliegoingtomarrytheSwann?"
Hedidn'treplyatonce,wonderingwhatshewasreallythinking,thenhesaidcarelessly,"Ireallydon'tknow,Gina.You'dbetteraskher."
"Wasthatimpertinent?"shesaid,flushingalittle.
"No,ofcoursenot,"Marksaidquickly."Ididn'tmeantosnubyou.ButreallyI'masmuchinthedarkaboutJulie'saffairsasyouare.Whyshouldyouthinksheshouldnecessarilymeantomarrytheman,though?"
"Well,he'stheonlymanfriendofherswhocomestothehouseasaregularthing,orwhomsheseemstotaketheslightestinterestin,"Ginasaidshrewdlyenough."Andshedoesseemtobefondofhiminaqueersortofway."
"Oh,well,thatdoesn'talwaysmeananything."
"WouldyouhateJulietomarryVictor?"
"Well,Ican'tsayIfrightfullywanthimasabrother-in-law,"Marksaidwithalaugh.
"Butyouwouldn'tmindJuliemarryingagain?"persistedGina.
Helookedamused."Onthecontrary,Ialwayshopedshewould.She'syoungstill,andverygood-looking.Yousee,JulieandIhaven'tkepthousetogethersinceourverypoverty-strickendayswhenweweren'tmucholderthanyouarenow.Thatwasn'tforverylongeither."
"No,youwereneverlikeSebastianandme,wereyou?"shesaidthoughtfully.
"No,"heagreedwitharatherwrysmile,"wewereneverlikeSebastianandyou,"andGinaglancedathimswiftly,thinkingthatJuliecouldneverhavebroughtverymuchaffectionintotheirrelationship,althoughshewasfondofherbrotherinherodd,undemonstrativefashion.
"Iwishyouwerecominghomenextweek-end,"shesaidalittleunhappily.
Helookedathersharply."Why?"
"Oh,Idon'tknow.Ijustwishyouwere."
MarkhadwonderedforsometimeifGinawastroubledbySwann'sattentions.Hesoobviouslycouldn'tkeephishandsoffanywomanforlong,andsinceJuliehadtakenthegirlinhand,shehadlostalotofthefledgelingaspect,whichinhiscasemighthavebeenherprotection.
"Gina—themandoesn'tworryyou,doeshe?"heasked,findingitalittledifficulttodiscussthethingwithouttakingforgranteddetailswhichmightnotinfactexist.
Ginathoughtamomentbeforeshereplied.She,too,founditdifficulttoputforthhintswithoutrevealingtoomuch.Sosheendedbyhedging."Whatdoyoumeanexactly—worryme?"
"Well,doeshemakelovetoyou?"askedMarkbluntly.
"Oh,no,"repliedGina,whowouldneverhavedreamedofapplyingsuchatermtoVictor'scovertstrokingsandsqueezings.
Theywalkedoninsilence,eachbusywiththeirthoughts.MarkwasattimesalittleworriedaboutGina.Girlsweresuchodd,secretivecreatures,'andsomuchcouldhurtthem.HereflectedthatJuliewasn'treallymuchsanctuaryforGina.Thatdistressingantagonismbetweenthemdidn'talloweitherforconfidenceorunderstanding.HewonderedagainwhyJuliedislikedthegirlsomuch.Sooftensheseemedtogooutofherwaytoscoldandsnub.HesupposedthatJulieandGinashouldn'treallyliveinthesamehousetogetherbutitwas'alittledifficulttomakeanyotherarrangementwhenGinawasasyoungasthis.EvensupposingshewasCapableofearningherownliving,shecouldnotpossiblylivealone,andforthepresenttherewasalwaysSebastian.
II
Ginawasright.SebastianwasstillfurtherunsettledbyDoyle'svisit.Allthefollowingweekhewasrestless,anddiscontented,cursingMarkforthemostpartformakinghimsitforhisscholarship.ItwashardforGinatourgehimtowork,sinceherowninclinationsweresomuchinsympathy.TherewasverylittletotakeherawayfromtheBarnHousejustnow,exceptoncubbingmornings,forEvanwasbackathisUniversity,likewisethefewyoungmenofhisagewhosepeoplelivedintheplace.ItwasaborenottobeabletogooffforthedaysomewherewithSebastianwhenevertheyfeltinclinedand,unlessshewentoffbyherself,itmeantshewasleftmuchinJulie'scompany.
Shedreadedtheweek-endswhenVictorSwannwasaguestinthehouse.Hecameratherfrequentlynow,anditwasnotalwayspossibletokeepoutofhisway.GinahadlittleexperienceofmenasoldasVictor,andhefrightenedher.ShedidnotdaretoconfideinJulie,knowinginstinctivelythatherstepmotherwouldbeherenemyinamatterofthiskind,andshedidnotliketospeaktoofranklytoSebastianforfearheshouldseizethefirstopportunitytohavearoyalrowwithSwann.Sebastianratherenjoyedtrailinghiscoat.
VictorcamedownonFridayevening,andGina,inherbath,heardSebastianplayingtheDeadMarchinSauldownstairs.Shegrinnedtoherself,layandsplashedalittlelonger,thengotreluctantlyoutandbegantodry.Withherusualpracticeofwrappingherselfinahugetowelandrunningquicklytoherroomwhichwasonlynextdoor,withoutbotheringtoputonadressing-gown,sheemergedfromthebathroomatanunfortunatemoment.Swann,whohadthatminutearrived,wasfindinghisownwaytohisroom,andwasjustthencomingalongthegallerytowardsher.
"Goodevening,Gina,Ilikeyourcostume,"hegreetedher,andsmiledbroadly,revealinghisexcellentteeth.Shetriedtoslippasthim,buthewastooquickforher,andcaughtherbyonebareshoulder."Whencethehurry,mydear?Notcold,surely,aftersuchahotbath.Youfeelaswarmastoast,"hesaid,andranhisfingersslowlyoverherskin.
Sheshiveredviolently."Letmegotomyroom,please,"shesaid."I'mnotproperlydressed."
"Mostimproperly,Ishouldsay.Quiteabandoned,butverycharming,"hesaid,andslowlybenthishead.Shethoughthewasgoingtokisshershoulder,anddartedback,andatthesamemoment,Juliecameoutofherroomontheothersideofthegallery,andsawthem.
"Gina!Whatareyoudoingstandingtherelikethat?Gotoyourroomatonceandputsomethingon,"shesaidsosharplythatVictorjumped.
"Oh,hullo,Julie!"hesaidjovially,ifalittleguiltily.
"Howareyou?Imetyourfairstepdaughteronthewayfromthebath."
Ginaslippedswiftlyintoherroomandshutthedoor,andJulie,afterahardlookatVictor'ssmilingface,cameforwardslowlyandaccompaniedhimtohisroom.
Ginawasveryquietthroughdinner,andsatlisteningtoVictorholdingforthinhisusualhigh-handedmanner,andbarelyspokeawordalltheevening.Sheworeoneofhernewdinner-frocksandMark'sjadenecklace,andseveraltimesJuliecaughtVictor'sgazerestingonher.
Afterdinnerhesuggesteddancing,fortheexpresspurpose,Juliewassure,ofbeingabletotouchGina.Thegirltriedtoexcuseherselfonthegroundsthatshewastired,thatshehadhurtherfoot,anythingwhichcameintoherhead,untilatlastJuliebecameannoyed.
"Don'tbesosilly,Gina.It'sthefirstI'veheardofalltheseexcuses,"shesaid."It'snotverypolite,doyouthink?Besides,I'mgettingtiredmyself,andVictorwantstodance."
Shewasobligedtogivein,andSebastianwatchedwithenjoymenthereffortstoholdherselfawayfromtheman,notseeingthatshewasmiserableandafraid.
"Whatanunwillinglittlepartner,"Victorsaidaboveherhead,thenloweringhisvoice,added,"Butareluctantwomanistentimesmoreattractive."
Ginafeltsick,andranintoMark'sstudyassoonasshecouldescape,andcurledupinoneofhisleatherarmchairs.Buttheroomwascoldwithoutafire,andshewasforcedtogointothedrawing-room.FortunatelyVictorandJuliewerestilldancing,andpresentlySebastiancameandjoinedherbythefire.
"Itwasasgoodasaplaytowatchyoutwo,"hesaid,sittingdownbesideherontherug.
"Ihatetheman,"shesaidwithsuchloathinginhervoicethatheaskedherwhatwaswrong.
"Oh,can'tyousee?"shecried."He'sbeastlyineveryway.I'mafraidofhim."
"MydearoldGinny,aren'tyouratherexaggerating?"hesaidwithalaugh."Theman'sanawfulbounder,Iknow,buthe'ssoawfullyobvious."
"He'sbeastly,"shesaidagain.
"Doesheannoyyou?ShallIspeaktohimforyou?Saytheword,darling,andI'llstartsucharowasneverwas,"saidSebastian,thelightofbattlealreadyshininginhiseyes.
"Oh,no,don'tsayanything.IexpectI'mjuststupid,that'sall,"shesaidalittlewearily.ThatwastheworstofSebastian.Heonlythoughtofthefun.
Shewentuptobedearlyand,asluckwouldhaveit,metVictoronthestairs.Juliewasnowheretobeseen.Hestoodbarringherwayandsmilingdownather.
"Youknowwhatthetollforpassingis,don'tyou?"hesaid.
"WhydoyoubehavelikethiswithmewhenyoumustseeIhateit?"Ginademandeddesperately,wantingifpossibletoavoidascenewithhim.
"Becauseyou'resuchfun,Gina,"hesaidwithasoftlittlelaugh."Youhaven'tbeenmadelovetomuchbefore,haveyou?—Comealong,givemealittlekisstoshowthere'snoill-feeling."
"Ifyoudon'tleavemealonewhileyou'restayinghere,I'lltellJulie,"saidGinaalittlehysterically.
Hemadeasmallgrimace."Doyouthinkshe'dbelieveyou?"heinquiredwithinterest.
"Shemustknowyoubynow,"saidGina.
"Mydearlittlegirl,Julieseesjustwhatshewantsto,andalwayshas,"Victortoldher."She'saverysensiblewoman,andaveryhandsomeoneatthat.JulieandIunderstandeachother.Comeonnow,benicetome."
"Sebastian!Willyoucomeandhelpmewithsomething?"shecalledout,andSwannstood'asideimmediately.
"Littledevil!"hewhisperedasshepassedhim.
"It'sallright,I'vemanaged,thanks,"shesaidfromthegalleryasherbrothercameintothehall."Good-night,darling."
ThenextdayheappearedtohaveforgottenheranddevotedhimselftoJulie.Sebastianspentalldayatthepiano,tooutterlyabsorbedinhismusictonoticehissister'sdejection,andGinawanderedabout,longingforthedaytocometoanend.VictorwasmotoringJulietoseesomefriendsofhisthirtymilesawayonSunday,sothatwouldmeanarespite.
Bytea-timeshehadbecomemoreatease.Victorwasstilltakingverylittlenoticeofher,andafteranearlydinnerhewastoescortJulietooneoftheSaturdaynighthoteldancesatEastcliff.
Readinginbedlastthing,Ginaheardtheotherscomein,andafteranintervalduringwhichshesupposedVictorwasdrinkinghisusualwhiskeyandsoda,sheheardJulie'svoice,astheypartedattheheadofthestairs,say:"Earlystarttomorrow,Victor.Idon'twanttobelateback."Therewasthesoundofayawn,andafteranintervalasmotheredlaughfromJulie'asshesaid,"Yousillyoldthing!Goalongtobed."ThenVictor'sheavytreadashepassedherdoortohisownroomnexttohers.
Hemusthaveseenthelightunderherdoor,forhebegantoknockasoftlittletattooonthedividingwall.Presently,however,thisstopped,andGina,listeningintently,heardhimmovingaboutnextdoor.Sheslippedoutofbedandturnedthekeyinthelock,thenputoutherlightandlaydown.
Shemusthavedozedoffwhenasoundoutsideherdoorbroughtherbacktoconsciousness.Itwasthecreakofalooseboardandpresentlyinthedimlightshecouldjustmakeoutherdoorhandleslowlyturning.Shesatboltuprightinbed,thebloodpoundinginherears,andwhensheheardthelittleclickasthelockheldfirm,shewonderedwhatgoodfairyhadpromptedhertoturnthekey.Thehandlerevolvedslowlybackagain,andpresentlytherewasafaintrattlingsoundwhichpuzzledheratfirst,untilwithasoftthud,thekeyfellonthecarpet.Hemusthavepokeditthroughfromtheotherside,andGina,shakingineverylimb,wasjustwonderingifshehadbetterscreamornot,whenadoorbangedinthehousesomewhere.Sheheardthelooseboardcreakagain,andalmostimmediatelythesoundofhisbedroomdoorsoftlyclosing.Itwassomeminutesbeforeshecouldnerveherselftogetoutofbedandlockthedooragain.Shedraggedaheavychairacrosstheroomandwedgeditunderthehandle,thengotbackintobedagainandlayshiveringsoviolentlythatherteethchattered.Itwasdawnbeforeshedaredgotosleep,andthenshewassoexhaustedthatshesleptwithoutwakingwhenthegongwent,anditwasthenoiseSebastianmadehammeringonherdoorthateventuallywokeher.
"Hi,Gina,wakeup!It's'afterhalf-pastten.Letmein,willyou?I'vebroughtyousometea,"heshouted.
"Allright.Waitaminute,"shecalledback,andjumpingoutofbed,removedthechairfromthedoorandturnedthekeyinthelock.Sebastianlookedatherwithapuzzledairashecamein,carryingacupofteainonehandandaplateoftoastintheother.
"What'stheidea?"heaskedsuspiciously.."Haveyoubeenbarricadingyourselfin?Youevidentlydidn'tmeantobedisturbed."
Shetooktheteafromhim'anddrankiteagerly,standinginthemiddleoftheroominhercrumpledpyjamas.Sebastianstoodandwatchedher.
"Youlookrotten,Ginny.Aren'tyoufeelingwell?"heaskedher.
"Sebastian—lastnight"shebegan,thenpulledherselfupsharply.Shemustgiveherselftimetothinkbeforesheputforwardsuchanunlikelystorytoanyofthehousehold."Ifeltrathersick,"sheended."I'llbebetterlateron."
"Poordarling.Takeiteasytoday,"hesympathized,stilllookingatherrathercuriously.
"I'mallright,"shereplied."Whattimearetheothertwostarting?"
"They'vejustgone.Juliewantedtomakeanearlystart.Victor'sinratherafilthymoodthismorning."
"Well,I'llgetdressednowifyou'llclearout.Here,takethiscup."
Shesatdownatherdressing-tableandwonderedwhatsheshoulddo.ShehadthewittoknowthatitwasuselesstogotoJuliewithataleofthiskind,andSebastian,ifheknew,couldn't,after'all,doverymuchbutcreateascene.Shedecideditwasbesttosaynothing,buttochangeherroomtemporarily.Whenshewasdressed,shewenttolookforthehousemaidandtoldherwhatshewishedtodo,buthereshemetwithfailure.
"Mr.Swannisintheoakroom,MissGina,"thegirlsaid."AndMrs.GalehaskepttheblueroomlockedeversinceyouandMr.Sebastiankeptyoursickferretsthere.Shehasthekeyherself.Ifyouaskherforitwhenshecomesin,I'llmakeupthebed,miss."
AlldayGinadeliberated,andbythetimetheeveningcame,shehadworkedherselfintoastateofnervesthatwasevenapparenttoSebastian.
"Whatisthematter,Gina?You'relikeafleaonadrum,andyoureyeslookliketwoburntholesinablanket,"hesaid,butsheputhimoffwithsomeexcuse,andbythetimethetea-thingswerecleared,shehaddeterminedtoaskJulieforthekeyoftheblueroomandriskherquestions.Shecouldn'tfaceanothernightwithVictorfumblingatherbedroomdoor.
Shewentupearlytodress,sothatshecouldcatchJulieassoonasshecameback.Sheheardthembothcomeinaboutaquartertoseven,andpresentlytheydispersedtotheirrespectiverooms.AssoonassheheardVictor'sdoorshut,sheslippedoutofherroomandalongthegalleryandknockedonherstepmother'sdoor.
"Whoisit?Oh,you,Gina.You'redressedveryearly."
Juliewassittinginfrontofherdressing-table.Shehadremovedherhatandcoatanddress,andwassittingin'abluewrapper,beginningtoletdownherhair."Well,whatisit?"
"CanIhavethekeyoftheblueroom,please,Julie?"Ginaasked.
"Whydoyouwanttogointhere?Nomoresickferrets,Ihope,"Juliesaidwithalaugh.Shewasevidentlyinagoodmood.Ginawatchedtheshiningdarkcoilsofhairreleasedfromtheirknot,andJulie'swhitefingersbeganshakingoutthestrands.Shehadveryfinehair,andhadneverhad.itcut.
"Iwanttosleepintheretonight,"saidGina.
ShesawJulie'sreflectedeyebrowsliftinthemirror,thoughshedidnotturnround,butmerelysaidfirmly,"Mydear,ofcourseyoucan'tdoanysuchthing.Theroomisn'tevencleaned.Youcan'texpectthemaidstogetitreadyatthishour.Anyway,they're
probablyout."
"Idon'twantitcleaned.Ionlywantthebedmadeup.I'lldothatmyself.Icanmovethethingsfrommyownbed.Ineedn'thavefreshlinen,"saidGinaeagerly.
ThenJulieturnedround."Whatonearthnewfadisthis?"shedemandedslowly."Youdogetthemostextraordinaryideas,Gina.Whycan'tyousleepinyourownroomtonight?Aretheremiceorsomething?"
"Julie—pleaseletmesleepintheblueroom.Itcan'tmakeanydifferencetoanyone.Iwon'tmakeanyextrawork,"thegirlpleaded.
Herstepmotherturnedroundagaintohermirrorandbegantobrushoutherhair."Mydear,Ireallythinkyou'realittlecrazysometimes,"shesaid."Ifyoucan'tgivemeanysensiblereasonforwantingtochange,Ican'tseethewisdomofindulgingyouoversuchanabsurdthing.Runaway,dear,Iwanttogeton."
Herfaceinthemirrorwascalmandunimaginative,andGinafeltherself-controlslipping.
"Julie,Ican'tsleepinmyroomtonight.ICan't.Ican't.Youmustletmechange,youmust,Julie."
Juliefrownedslightly,'andsaid,"Yousoundratherhysterical.Ifyoufeelasstronglyasthisaboutityousurelymusthaveareason."Sheneverstoppedbrushingherhair,andtoGina,overwroughtasshewaswiththeaccumulatingeventsofthewholeweek-end,therewassomethingdeliberatelymaddeninginthoserhythmical,steadystrokes,andthegirlclenchedherhandsathersidesandsaidinavoicewhichwasbarelysteady:
"Julie,youmustunderstand—Victor "
"Victor?"Juliewasmovedatlast.The'brushingceased,'andshesatmotionlessbeforeherdressing-table,staringintotheglass."WhathasVictorgottodowithyouchangingyourroom?"
GinashouldhavebeenwarnedbyJulie'svoicewhichwassuddenlyhardandunyielding,butbythistimeshewastoostrunguptoknowwhatshewassaying,andthewordstumbledfromherlipsinfrightenedjerks.
"Lastnighthetriedtogetintomyroom.I'dlockedthedoor,buthepokedthekeythroughfromtheotherside.Iwasterrified.ButyoumustseenowthatImustchangemyroomtothissideofthehouse.Icouldn'tbearittohappenagain.Icouldn't."
Therewasacompletesilence,thenJuliesaidicily,"Idon'tthinkyoucanhaveanyideaofwhatyouaresaying.Howdoyoudaretocomehere'andtellmeastorylikethisaboutaguestofmine?Pokedthekeythroughfromtheotherside!Whatatale!Andwhathappenedthen?"
"Youdon'tbelieveme!Butit'strue,Iswearit.Adoorbangedandhewentaway,buttonighthe'llcomeback.—Julie,I'mfrightened."
ThenJulieturnedround,andhereyeswereblazing.
"Onceandfor'all,Gina,I'vehadenoughofyoursoftlittletricks,"shesaid."I'vewatchedyouwithVictor.RunningafterhimasyourunafterMark—"
"Julie,stopit!"
"—YoustandtalkingtoVictorinnothingbutatowel,andthenloseyourheadifheshowsyoualittleadmiration.Whatelsedoyouexpect?"Shehadworkedherselfintoacoldfury,andsherosetoherfeet,now,confrontingthedistraughtgirl,andcontinued,"Ifhecametoyourroomlastnight,itwasbecauseyouexpectedhimto.Yousaidyourselfyoulockedyourdoor.Wasthataninnocentaction?Oh,no,Gina,youmayfoolMark,butyoucan'tfoolme.Youdeserveallyouget."
Shestoppedatlast,andGinagaspedout,"Ithinkyou'remad,Julie.Whydoyousaysuchterriblethings?Whydoyouhatemeso?"Shebegantocry,apainfultearlesssobbingwhichhurther."IwishIwasdead.IwishIwasdead."
Juliestoodregardingherdispassionatelyforamomentortwo,thenshelookedsuddenlyverytired."Oh,goawayandleaveme,"shesaidmorewearilythanroughly,andGina,feelingshewaschoking,ranunseeingfromtheroomanddownthestaircase.Itwasonlyalittleaftersevenbytheclockinthebendofthestairs,andGinametSweenycomingup.
"Themaster'sreturned,"hesaid."Iwasjustcomingtotellthemistress,MissGina—och!goodnessme,what'sthematternow?"ForGina,nothavingheardawordhewassaying,hadfledpasthimandacrossthehalltothestudy.Half-blindwithsobsandterror,sheranstraightintoMark'sarmsasheturnedatthesoundofherflyingfeet.
"Goodgracious!child,what'shappenedtoyou?"heexclaimedinalarm.
Ginascarcelyevenrealizedwhohewas,butcouldonlygaspforbreath,thenshebecameawareoffirmhandssupportingher,andsuddenlythehardtearingsobbingchangedtostormyweeping,andshecollapsedinhisarms.
III
Foralongtimeshecouldonlycrydistractedly,andasheheldherhecaughtphraseshereandthere.
"Why...why...shehatesme...shedoesn'tknow...Iwasafraid...Iwish...I'dnevercomehere...Iwish...dead."
"Steady,Gina.Mydear—tryandstop.Don'tcrylikethis.Whatisit?Tellme,"saidMark,distressedbeyondmeasure.Therewassomethingdesolateinherweepingwhichmovedhimunbearably."Poorchild.Poorlittlesweet."Hepickedherupinhisarmsandcarriedherovertoachair.Therewassomethingsoslightandimmatureaboutherthinbodyinitsflimsyfrock.Shewassolightandsmall.Heputherintooneofthebigleatherchairs,andsatbesideherontheedge.Theleatherstruckchillonherbarearms,andshehuddledagainsthim.
"It'scold,"shesaid,andhertearssuddenlybecametheeasyrelaxingtearsofchildhood,whichbringonlyrelief,andsheleantagainsthim,exhaustedandsobbingbutreleasedfromanguish.
"Nowwhatisit?"heaskedgently,whenshewasquieter.
Wearilyshebegantospeak."IhadafrightfulrowwithJulie.Shesaiddreadfulthingstome.Iwasfrightened...."
"Whatwasitallabout?"
"I'drathernottellyou.Idon'twanttomakeanymorescenes,"shesaid.
"SupposingIaskJulie?"
"Idon'tthinkshe'lltellyou.Itdoesn'tmatternowyou'vecomeback.Ididn'tknowyouwerecoming.IwishIhad."
"Nobodyknew.Youdon'tfeelinclinedtoconfideinme,then?"
"Itwouldn'tdoanygood."
"Areyousure?Imightbe'abletohelp,youknow."
"Butitwouldbethewrongway,"saidGinaunhappily.
Hewasalittlepuzzled."HadSwannanythingtodowithit?"
Shemadenoanswer,andhesaidgently,"Allright,mydear.Iwon'tforceyou.Perhapsyou'lltellmelateron."'
"Oh,Mark,whydoesJuliehatemeso?"criedGinadesolately."Ineverknewuntiltonightquitehowmuchshedidhateme.Why?I'veneverdoneanythingtoher.She
doesn'thateSebastian."
"Poorchild!I'mterriblysorry,"hesaid,slowlyrufflingupherhair."Peoplearesostrange,Gina.Youcan'ttellwhatqueerforcesmaybeworkingunderneath.I'venever,myself,understoodJulie'sattitude.But'afterthis,I'llspeaktoher,ofcourse."
"Oh,don't,"shesaidquickly."Shedoesn'tlikeyoustandingupforme."
"HowdoyouknowIdostandupforyou?"
"Well,youdosometimes,don'tyou?"
Hesmiled."Sometimes.But,Gina,I'mnotgoingtohavethissortofthinghappeningagain.You'llmakeyourselfill.IshallcertainlyspeaktoJulie."
Shepushedbackthetumbledhairfromherforeheadandsniffed.Herpointedfacewaspinchedandtiredwithweeping,herlipsverywhite.InspiteoftheenchantingfrockandMark'snecklace,shelookedplain.
"Ican'tgointodinnerlikethis,"shesaid."TheSwannwouldnotice."Sheshiveredalittle,andMarkgottohisfeetandrangthebell.
"Ofcourseyoucan't.Itellyouwhat.We'llbothhavesomethinginheretogether—chickenorsomething,andabottleofwine.We'llconsultSweeny.Wouldyoulikethat?"
"Itwouldbelovely.You'readear,Mark."
"Good,that'ssplendid.Nowwe'llhaveafire."
Somelogswerealreadylaidinthegrate,andhestruckamatchandsoonhadflamesroaringupthechimney.
Sweenyknockedatthedoor,andMarkgavehimhisOrders."AndabottleofthePerrier-Jouettoo,Sweeny."
Hecamebackbeforeverylongwithaladentray,andsetitonasmalltablebeforethefire.
"DoesMrs.GaleknowI'mback?"Markasked.
"Itouldheralright,butshetuknoheed.IdeclaretoGodthehouseisbrokeupentirely.Themistressinherroomwithaboulteddoor,andthatSwannandMasterSebastianinthedining-roomglowerin'ateachotherwiththeirfoureyesacrostthetablesothatanyonewouldthinktherewasmurtherabout."Sweenywentoutoftheroom,mutteringandshakinghishead,andMarkpouredoutaglassofchampagneforGina.
"Poorchild!Youlookallin,"hesaidashehandedittoher.Allthroughtheintimatelittlemealhefussedoverher,coaxinghertoeatwhenshesaidshecouldn't,makingher
laughwhenshelookedunhappy.
Whenfinallythetablewaspushedbackandtheylitcigarettes,Ginacurledupinherchairwithafeelingofrelaxation.Therewasnoneednowtoworryaboutthenight.Victorwouldn'tdaretomolestherwithMarkinthehouse.ShewonderedifheandJuliehadfoughtthingsout.Itratherlookedasthoughsomethingofthekindhadhappened.ShegrinnedwithareturnofheroldspiritatthethoughtofSebastianandtheSwanndiningtete-a-tete.
"Feelingbetternow?"askedMark,whohadbeenwatchingher.
Shenodded."Much;onlyawfullytired.Ididn'tsleepverywelllastnight."
"Well,youmustdobetterthanthattonight.I'mgoingtopackyouofftobedreallyearly,andI'llsendyouupsomethingtomakeyousleep,"hetoldher.
"Youarekindtome,"shesaid.
"You'reonlyjustbeginningtoletmebe,"herepliedwithatinygrimace,andshelaughed."Youdon'tdislikemesoprofoundly,doyou?"
"Oh,Mark!Ineverdislikedyouinapersonalway,"sheprotested."Idislikedyouasabenefactor.Ihatedbeingdependent.Idon'tmindsomuchwithJulie.Afterall,shemarriedFather,soshe'sresponsibleforusinaway,butwe'venoclaimonyou."
"Isee.Butwhatwillyoudowhenyoumarry,Gina?You'llbejustasdependentonyourhusband.You'llhavenothingtobringhim,youknow,"hesaidslowly.
"Ishan'tlikeit,"saidGinafrankly."Butafterall,I'llbemarryinghim,andthatoughttobeenoughforanyone."
"Bravo!Soitought!"helaughed."Don'tbeintoomuchofahurrythough,willyou?There'splentyof;time."
"Thereisn't,"sherepliedswiftlyandunexpectedly."There'snotimeatall.Sebastian'sgoingtoOxford.Juliemaymarryagain.What'sgoingtohappentome?IshallhavetomarrybecauseIhaven'tgotacareer.SebastianandIoughttohavechangedplacesreally.Itwouldhavebeenmuchmoresuitable."
Hereflectedthatthiswasinallprobabilitytrue.Shehadmorestaying-powerthanherbrother.ButthethoughtofGinamarriedforwantofanybetteroccupation,perhapstothefirstmanwhoaskedher,wasintolerable,andhesaidabruptly:
"Whatnonsense,Gina.Youshouldn'tbeconsideringsuchthingsatall.Anddon'tyoudarethinkofmarryinganyonewithoutaskingme."
Shelookedathiminsurprise,observedhisfrownandthestraightsetofhislips,andsuddenlylikedhimenormously.
"Whydidyoucomebacktoday,Mark?"sheaskedhimcuriously.
Hehesitatedamomentthenreplied,"LastSundayyousoundedratherasifyoumighthavelikedmetobehere.IjustwonderedhowtheSwannwasbehavinghimself,that'sall.Ithinkit'sagoodthingIdidcome,don'tyou?"
"Itwasterriblyniceofyou,"shesaidgratefully."IwishIdidn'tlookquitesofrightfulforourchampagneparty,though."
Hegotupandcrossedovertoher,standingforamomentlookingdownatherslightfigure,thefirelightputtinglivecolourintohershininghair.HesmiledNlowly.
"Youfoolishchild!"hesaidsoftly,andstoopedtokissher.Buthewasquiteunpreparedfortheimpulsewhichmadehersuddenlyflingherarmsroundhisneckandhughim."Thatwascharmingofyou,Gina,"hesaid."Nowyou'regoingtostayquietlyherebythefirewhileIhaveawordwithJulie,andthenIshallsendyoutobed."
Hethrewanotherlogonthefireandlefther.HemetVictorandSebastianleavingthedining-room,onelookingassulkyastheother,andsaidshortly,"Goodevening,Swann.Pleasedon'teitherofyoudisturbGina.She'snotfeelingwell,andI'veleftherinthestudy.I'llbedownlater."
"Lord,lord!Everyone'scrazy!"heheardSebastianmutter,andthesoundofthepianobeingplayedratherviciouslyfollowedhimuptoJulie'sroom.
CHAPTERVI
I
MARKknocked,saying,"It'sMark,Julie.CanIcomein?"
Therewasashortpause,thenheheardhissistermoveacrosstheroom,thekeyturnedinthelockandshethrewopenthedoor.
"Well?"
Shestoodconfrontinghim,verystraightinherbluewrapper.Herhairwasstillfallingabouthershoulders,andhereyeswerered-rimmed,asifshe,too,hadbeencrying.
"Well?"shesaidagain.
Markcameinandclosedthedoorbehindhim."Iwanttotalktoyou,"hesaid.
"You'veseenGina—naturally."
"Idon'tlikethat'naturally,'".hesaidquietly."Yes,I'veseenGina."
"Well—"
"Ifoundheralmosthysterical,"hesaiddeliberately."Shetellsmeyouandshehadsomesortofarow.I'dliketoknowwhatitwasabout."
"Didn'tGinatellyou?"'askedJulieincredulously.
"No,shewouldn't.ButIshouldliketoknowallthesamewhatcouldjustifysuchacondition.Thechildwasinaterriblestate,"hesaidwatchingherface.
Sheturnedawayfromhimandwentbacktoherdressing-table,whereshesatdown,and,takingupalittleivorybuffer,begantopolishhernails.
"IfGinahasn'ttoldyouthereasonforourdisagreement,it'squiteclearlybecausesherealizesshehasbeenveryfoolish,"shesaid."So,ifIwereyou,Mark,Iwouldn'taskanymorequestions."
"Julie!"heexclaimedimpulsively."What'shappenedtoyousinceyoucamebackfromIreland?Youwereperhapsalwaysalittlehard—evenintheolddays—butIdon'trememberthisbitternessofspiritwhichseemstohavepossessedyoulately."
Shepausedabruptlyinherpolishing,thenwentonagain,withthesameleisurelystrokes."Youforget,quitealothashappenedtomesincetheolddays,Mark,"shesaidquietly.
"Mydear,ofcourseIhaven't,"hereplied."Butsurelynotenoughtomakeyousobitter."
"I'mnotbitter,"shesaidwearily."Onlydisillusioned."
"Yourmarriagewasn'tagreatsuccess,wasit?"hesaidgently.
"No."
"Oh,mydear,itwasamadmarriage,anyway.Youofallpeopletoundertakeaready-madeIrishhouseholdandtwostepchildren.Whatmadeyoudoit,Julie?I'veoftenwondered."
Therewasasilence,thensheanswered,stillquietlypolishing,"Perhapsitneveroccurredtoyou,Mark,thatImightbeinlovewithmyhusband."
Hewassilent.Oddlyenoughitneverhadoccurredtohim.HeknewthatJuliehadwantedahomeofherown,andhadimaginedthattobethemainreasonforhersuddenmarriagenearlyfiveyearsago.Forallhergoodlooks,shehadneverbeenveryattractivetomen,andDenisGale,atthetimeshehadmarriedhim,wasamanofoverforty-five,stillwiththecharmshemusthavepossessedtoaverygreatextentasayoungman,butweakandlazyandunreliable.Sebastianwasverylikehim.
"IthoughtIcouldchangethings.Ithoughtwhenyoucaredenoughyoucoulddoanything."
Juliestaredatherreflectionintheglassandspoke'asifsomehowimpelledto.Itwasthefirsttimeshehadeveralludedtoherbriefmarriedlifeinanybutapurelypracticalway.
"Iwasafool.Ididn'tunderstandtheIrishshiftlessness.Theygiveeverythingbecausethey'venothingtogive.Theycanaffordtobebeggars,becausethey'venothingtolose."Shethrewthebufferwithalittleclatteramongthebrushesandbottles.Markwassilent,andshesaid,withcompleteself-control,"Deniswaspassionatelyinlovewithhisfirstwife—totheend.Ginaisverylikeher,I'mtold.Shewaswithhimwhenhedied.Hethoughtshewashermother."
"AndyoutakeitoutonGina?"Marksaidverygently,understandingatlast.
Shewheeledrounduponhim."Gina,Gina!—alwaysGina!"shecried,andhesawthathereyeswerebrightwithtears."Canyouthinkofnooneelse?Ginaisyoung—shehasallherlifebeforeher,andifyoufallinlovewiththatgirl,Mark,you'llbeabiggerfoolthanIwas."
Heregardedhersteadilyforamomentinsilence,thenhesaidquietly,"That'saveryrashthingtosay,Julie."
Shescrutinizedhisgraveface,tryingtofindtheretheexactmeaningofhiswords,thenturnedbacktohermirrorandtookupacomb.
"Willyouleavemenow,Mark?"shesaidinherusualtones."Ishan'tcomedownasit'safternine.I'mrathertired."
Shebegantoplaitherhairforthenight,andMark
tookasteptowardsher."Julie "
"Good-night,dear,"shesaid,andsmiledathimintheglass.
II
GinaleantproppedagainstthestabledoorandwatchedSweenyclippingtheSouthernBelle.Tomorrowwasthedayoftheopeningmeet,andtheearlyNovembersunshonebrightlyonthenewlycleanedsaddlerywaitinginreadiness.
"Whichofyousisridingtomorrow?"Sweenyasked.
"Wehaven'tdecidedyet,"saidGina."IexpectSebastianwill."
"We'lltossforit,"saidSebastian."Lendmeapenny,Sweeny.Headsyoulose,tailsyouwin—headsitis.Youlose,Gina,andI'mgladthatIwasunabletodepriveyouofthepleasureyousounselfishlywishedmetoenjoy."
"IfI'mkilledIshallhauntyou,"saidGinagloomily.
Ginarodetothemeetinwhite-lippedendurance.Nervousanticipationspoilt,asalways,anypleasureshemayhavefeltatbeingonahorse,'andsheexperiencedthatsicksensationinthestomachwhichinvariablycomesfromnervesandthewantofaproperbreakfast.
BoththeyoungGaleshadalwayssufferedfromthisparticularshrinking,andinthestubbornfashionoftheirgenerationcontinuedtodowhattheyintenselydisliked,soonerthanadmittheirreluctance.Sebastian,thebetterriderofthetwo,putupthepoorershow.Hewasafraidoffalling.Gina,whofellfrequently,wasafraidofsomethingfarmoreintangible.Thewholeatmosphereofhuntingalarmedher,fromthefirstsinisterburstofmusicfromhoundstothefinalcheck.
Themeetwaswellattended,andGina,viewingthelongrowsofcarsstretchingawaydowntheroad,thoughtwithunsportsman-likesatisfactionthatitdidn'tlookasthoughtheywouldgetmuchsporttoday.ShecouldseeColonelHunteronahirelingand
fartheronSirCharlesNapierattendingtohiswife'sstirrup-leather,whileagroomledhismagnificentchestnutupanddown.NancyPrattwasthere,riding'anewgreymare.Shelookedwellonahorse,sittingside-saddleinaperfectlycutbluehabit,andGinawatchedhercoquettingwithacoupleofyoungmen,whowereplainlyenchanted.
TheSouthernBelle,newlyclippedandcold,lookedbonyandcamel-like.Herneckarchedaggressively,'andsheshowedhercontemptforeveryonebykickingahound.Gina,feelingherselfthecentreofcolddispleasure,hurriedlyremovedherselfandthemarefartheraway,andpresentlytheMasterarrived,lookingalittlecross,andthefieldmovedofftotheirfirstdraw.
AsGinahadhoped,therewerefartoomanyspectatorstopermitofmuchsport,andtheywerestillcanteringfromcoverttocovertathalf-pasttwo.Gina,feelingthatatthreeo'clockofablankdayshewasjustifiedinturningherfacehomewards,wasjustbeginningtothinkthathuntingafterallwasnotsobad,whensomeoneviewedafoxacoupleoffieldsaway.
Gina,astridetheBelle,shortenedherreins,andclungonfordearlife.Threefencessafelyover—afourth.Atthefifthshewentflyingoverthemare'shead,and,squat-tinginthemud,watchedtheSpratsittingfirminthesaddle,comesailingoverthefencewiththeutmostease.Someonecaughtthemareandputherupagain.
"Whydon'tyourideinaside-saddle,Gina?"Nancysaidwhentheycheckedfor'amoment."Womenhavenogripastride.Youwouldn'tfallnearlysooften—reallyyouwouldn't."
Ginagaveheraglanceofhatred,andturningtheBelle'shead,sentheratthenextfencewithalltheforceherfailingspiritcouldcommand.TheBellejumpedprotestingly,tanglingherhoofsinalastspasmofpetulance,andtookaheaderontheotherside,hurlingGinatoearth.
ItwasSirCharlesNapierwhocametoheraid."Whataverymettlesomeyoungladyyouare!"hesaidwithatwinkle,ashehelpedhertoherfeetandassuredhimselfshewasn'thurt.Shelimpedabit,havingbruisedherthighonastone,butthemarewascaughtforthesecondtime,andGinahoistedherselfintothesaddlewithasighofrelief,anddepartedforhome.
Nancywentwithher."It'snearlyfour,I'vehadenough,"shesaid.TherewasafaintrespectinhereyesasshelookedatGina,butshecouldn'thelpsaying"Thatwassilly,Gina.Youmighthavereallyhurtyour-self."
"Imight,butIdidn't,"saidGinashortly.
"HaveyouheardfromEvanlately?"askedNancy.
"WhyshouldI?Weneverwritetoeachother."
"Oh,don'tyou?Hewritesalottome.He'scomingdownthisweek-end."
"Ishe?"
"Um.Iexpecthe'llcomeoverandseeyouonSunday.You'resuchfriends,aren'tyou?Hemaytakemeintodance'atEastcliffonSaturdaynight.Evan'sadivinedancer."
Ginagroundherteethsilently.TheSpratwasanabominablepieceofwork.GinawasawarethatEvanhadhadherupforMayWeekinJune.Nancyhadn'tletanyoneforgetitinWesthamStreetforweeksafter.
"Mydearchild,you'refilthy!"JulieexclaimedwhenGinagothome.
"Yes,Ifelloff,"shereplied,limpingstifflyacrossthehall."CanIhavemyteabeforeIchange,ifItakeoffmyboots,Julie?Iwanttolieforhoursinabath."
"Allright.Tea'sjustcomingnow,"Juliesaid,andwentintothedrawing-room.Sincethatunfortunateweek-end,theirrelationshadbeenalittleeasier.Atfirst,therewasanobviousstrain.GinawasuncomfortableandJulieuncompromising.Butsheclearlydidnotmeantoalludetotheincidentagain,andgraduallytheawkwardnesswentoutoftheirrespectiveattitudes.GinafrequentlywonderedwhathadpassedbetweenJulieandMark,butshewascertainthatherstepmotherwouldhaveleftVictoroutofanydiscussionshemayhavehadwithherbrother.ShealsowonderedwhatJulieandVictorhadsaidtooneanotherabouttheaffair.ShewasneversureifJuliehadhaditoutwithhim,orhaddecidedtoignorethewholebusiness.SwannhaddepartedthenextmorningbeforeGinacamedownforbreakfast.
ShegotSweenytopullherbootsoffforher,andfollowedJulieintothedrawing-room."Thisisthebestpartofhunting,"shesaidwithconvictionasshetackledaboiledegg."I'mgoingtobestifftomorrow.Where'sSebastian?"
"Ihaven'tseenhimallday."Juliepaused,thensaidimpulsively,"I'mabitworried,Gina.Sebastianoughttobeworkinghardnowtillhegoesupforhisscholarship.There'snotmuchmorethananotherthreeweeksleft."
"Iknow.Time'sgettingawfullyshort,"Ginaagreed.
"Ithinkyoudounderstandhowveryimportantitisforhimtosucceedthistime,"Juliewenton."ButIcan'timpressitonSebastian.Heonlylaughsandsayswhatdoesitmatter.ButMarkcannotaffordtosendhimtoOxfordentirelyunaided,andIdon'tknowwhathe'stodoifhestayshere."
"Idon'tseethatwecandomorethanwedo,"Ginasaidslowly."I'vebeenathimonandoffallthetime.Butyoucan'tgoathimtoomuch.Itdoesharmintheend."
"IfyoucangethimtolookatitfromMark'spointofview,"saidJulie,"itmighthelp.Hecan'tdomuchhimself,nowhe'sbackintown."
"Allright,"Ginasaidratherdoubtfully,andcrackedthetopofhersecondegg.
Butwhenshecametotackleherbrother,sherealizedalmostatoncethatitwouldhavebeenbetterhadshelethimalone.
"It'sallverywellforyou,Ginny,youonlyhavetolookon,"hesaidresentfully."Youdon'thavetosweatoverthesedamnfoolkid'slessonsasthoughyouwerebackatschool,neitherdoyouhavetocontemplatethedeadlyprospectoflearninghowtobealittlegentatoneofEngland'sgreatuniversities."
"Well,itisn'tasbadasyoumakeout,"saidGinaimpatiently."Afterall,you'llbekeptfornothing.Youdon'thavetoworkhard,andyoucangooncomposingtoyourheart'scontent."
"Itisn'tthat.It'stheprincipleofthething.Weshouldn'tbeyokedtoauthority,asI'vetoldyoubefore.WhatrighthasMarktoarrangeourfuturesforusinhislordlyway?"
"Hehasn'tarrangedmine."
"Youbethehas.He'sgotsomethingallnicelyfixedupforlittleGina.Probablyagoodsensiblemarriage."
"Hedoesn'twantmetomarryinahurry.Hesaidso.ThoughIsupposeinalldecencyIshallhavetogetmy-selfoffJulie'shands,"sheremarkedgloomily."Anyway,hehasacertainclaimonus,Sebastian.Afterall,hekeepsus."
"Andwhythedevilshouldn'the?"demandedSebastianinexasperatedtones."Ikeeptellingyouhe'sgotmoneyandwehaven't.Hehasn'tgotawife,oranychildren.Whatharmdowedohim?"
"Butcan'tyouseethatheneedn'tdoit?It'sjusthisgenerosity—becausewe'reJulie'sdependents.Sohemakesushisdependentstoo,"criedGina,withabitternotecreepingintohervoicetomatchthecutofheryoungmouth.Shehadthrustoutherchin,andwasfrowning,andherredhairstoodonendfromtheagitatedworkingsofherrestivehands.
"Nowyoulooklikeawitch,"saidSebastianunkindly."Ahorrid,moral,nagginglittlewitch."
Itwassoseldomthathespoketoherinthisveinthathereyesfilledwithquicktears."That'sbeastlyofyou,"sheretorted."I'monlytryingtoputthecaseclearly."
"Whosecase?Mark's,ofcourse.YoulistentoMark'agreatdealmorethanyouusedto,"saidSebastiancalculatingly."Howhashegotatyou?Bymeansofhisfatalattraction?"
"Whatarottenthingtosay!"shecried,clenchingherhands."Ifyoucan'tseethatyou'rebehavingmeanly,youneedn'ttryandheadmeoffwithfoulsuggestionslikethat."Shemarchedoutoftheroomandbangedthedoor,andSebastian,alreadyfeelinga
littleashamedofhimself,laugheddefiantly.
III
Halfanhourlatertheymadeitup.
"DarlingGinny,Iwasonlyteasingyou—Ididn'tmeanInhefoul,"Sebastianpleaded.
"AndIdidn'tmeantonag.Idowantyoutopass,Sebastian."
"Allrightthen,Iwill.Takemeashavingpassed."
Sebastianwentinsearchofhisbooks,andGinawenthappilytobed,whereshelaidherachinglimbsinthankfulnessthatthedaywasoveratlast.
ButtheendoftheweekfoundSebastian'asrestiveasever,andMark,arrivingonFridaynight,didnotimprovethepositionbytakinghimsharplytotask."Pompoushigh-falutinfool,"SebastianburstouttoGinaaftertheinterview."TheseEnglishcanthinkofnothingbutmoney."
GinawasbrushingDogsbodyonSaturdaymorning,whentheHunters'cardrewupatthegateandEvancamerunningintotheyard.
"Hullo,Gina!It'sgoodtoseeyouagain!"heexclaimedwhole-heartedly.
"Evan!"Shesprangtoherfeetatthefirstsightofhisfamiliargood-lookingyoungface,andhetookbothherhandsinhis."Jove,youdolookwell,"hesaidwithfaintastonishment,lookingherupanddown,andGinaknewthatlookingwellinEvan'seyesmeantlookingattractive.
"Oh,ofcourse,youhaven'tseenmesincemygroomingprocesshastakenplace,"shelaughed."I'mnotlookingmybestnow,butwhenI'mwearingallmyfinery,I'mformidable,Itellyou."
"I'msureyoumustbe.Lookhere,Iwonderedifyou'dcomeanddanceinEastclifftonight.Youknow,theold
Saturdaynighthotelhopstheyhave.Itmightbequiteamusing,"hesaid.
Shelookedathim,eyesaslant,wonderingshrewdlywhetherhehadcomeoverespeciallytoaskherthat,orwhetherhehadonlyjustthoughtofit.
"I'dloveit,"shesaidsimply."WaittillIaskJulieifyoucancomeanddinefirst."
Shetookspecialpainswithherappearancethatnight.Shewasexcited,andshebrushedhershorthairuntilitshonelikefire,andcurledbrightlyabouthersmallhead.Lipstick—adashofscentbehindtheears,thelasttwistingsbeforethelongmirror,andshewasready.Shecaughtupalittleembroideredbag,andrandownstairs.
EvanwastalkingtoMarkwhensheappeared,andhe'stoppedforaperceptiblemomentwhilehewatchedhercrossthehall,thenturnedbacktoMarkwithanobviouseffort.
Ginalookedvividenoughinherfullgreentaffetafrock,withherflaminghead'andbrillianteyes.Markwatchedherwithinterestthroughdinner,asshethrustandparriedwithEvan,whowasnotnearlyquickenoughforher,andthoughtofthateveninginhisstud}':Gina,adistracted,frightenedchild,sobbingherheartoutinhisarms:Ginasayingquaintly,"IwishIdidn'tlookquitesofrightfulforourchampagneparty":Julie'sbitter"Ifyoufallinlovewiththatgirl,Mark,you'llbeabiggerfoolthanIwas."Andnow—theyoungGina,awareatlastofhercharm,usingitdelicatelyforEvan,heragilemindleapingfrompeaktopeakwithtrueCelticquickness.Hisstrongfingerssuddenlygrippedthefinestemofhiswineglasswithafiercepressure,and,withalittleping!itsnapped.Thewinespilledoverthepolishedtableinaglowingamberstream,andJuliesaidquickly:
"Oh,Mark,howonearthdidyoudoit?"
AttheEastcliffhotel,wheretheydanced,EvanandGinafoundNancyPratt,who,foronce,blushedscarletatthesightofthem.ShehadwaiteduntilthelastminuteforEvan'sunforthcominginvitation,whichhadresultedinherhavingtofallbackonamuchlessattractiveescort.ShelookeddaggersatGina,thedimplesundisplayedforonce,andafteragreetingofjoyoussurprisetoEvanturnedbacktoGinaandsaid:
"I'msogladyou'reallrightafterTuesday.Didthemarehaveasorebackwhenyougothome?"
ButGinawasbeyondNancy'slittleshafts.Sheknewwhatshewasfeelingatheart.Itwasonlyaddedbalm,whenEvan,releasingheraftertheirfirstdance,saidwarmly,
"Howwellyoudance,Gina.I'dnoidea.Youknow,tolookatNancyyou'dthinkshewaslikeapieceofthistledown,buttheoddpartofitisshecan'tdance.Itwasratheralet-downwhenIdiscoveredthatattheTrinityBall."
Theeveningwasanentiresuccess.Theydancedeverydanceuntiringly.Theirstepsfittedadmirably,andEvan,whowasnottootall,wasacomfortablepartnerforher.ThebandplayedTheMerryWidowandDaisyBell,andtheywhirledfasterthananyone,Ginagiddyandlaughing,herwidegreenskirtsflyingoutaroundher.
"Oh,whatfun!"shegasped,asthemusicstopped,andtheysankexhaustedupontwochairs.
Whenitwastimetogo,theypassedNancywaitingintheloungeforherescort.
"Oh,Evan—whenamIgoingtoseeyou?"sheasked,stoppinghim.Shewassmart,andabsurdlyprettyinherwhitefrockandalittlewhitefurjacketwithahugestand-upcollar.Evansmileddown'ather.
"I'llbeovertomorrow,sometime,"hepromised.
"Good.Perhapsyoumightcometosupper.Ringupinthemorning."
"Well,I'mnotsure—I'llletyouknow.Thanks'awfully,though."HepilotedGinaouttothecar,sayingcarelessly,"Awfullypretty,isn'tshe?"
Ginajoyouslysniffedthesalt-tangedairastheydrovealongthefront,andsettleddownhappilyandalittledrowsilyinthewarmthofthecarforthelongdriveback.Thiswasfun.Thiswasbeingalive.SheglancedupatEvan'sgoldenprofileagainsthisdarkturned-upcollar,andsnuggledintoJulie'sfurcoat,borrowedfortheoccasion.
IV
Theweek-endpassedquicklyenoughforGina,sinceEvanappearedearlythenextmorning,andcarriedheroffforthedayinhiscar.ButtoSebastian,Sundaywasinterminable.HespentthemorningworkingunderthesupervisionofMark,whoappearedtobeparticularlyabruptanddownonhimthatdayandfinishedupbygivinghimanotherstrongtalking-to,whichendedwiththeboyslammingoutoftheroom,andoutofthehouse,andnotreturningtillnight.
OnMondaymornings,someonehadtodriveMarktothestation.ThiswasgenerallySweeny'soffice,butifhisotherdutieshappenedtocallhimelsewhere,citherGinaorSebastianwouldgo.OnthisparticularMonday,MarkknockedonGina'sdoorandaskedherifshewouldmindgoing,astherewasnooneelse.Gina,whohadbeendrowsilywaitingforthegongtoring,hurriedlyleaptoutofbed,andflungonherclothesasquicklyasshewasable.Therewasnotimeforeitherfacialadornmentonbreakfast,andsheseizedthefirstcoatthatcametohandandrushedouttothegaragetofetchthecar.
"Sorry,Gina,"Marksaidapologeticallyashecameoutofthehouse."I'dhaverungupforataxi,ifI'dknownyouwerestillinbed!Thanks,I'lldrivemyself.Youcansmashthecaruponthewayhome!"Gina'sdrivinghadlongbeenconsideredajoke,andshemovedintotheotherseatwithalittlelaugh.
Hehadscarcelyseenanythingofherthisweek-end.Heglancedathernow,bare-headed,thewindblowingherredhairbackfromherears,leavingherfacesharpandelf-like.
"Enjoyyourweek-end?"heaskedcasually.
"Um."
"YoungHunter'sgood-looking."
"Um."
"Lostyourhearttohim,Gina?"Hesurprisedafaintblushatthis,thensheansweredslowlyandwithoutturningherface.
Heissobeautifultolookat.Reallybeautiful,Imean,inthewayastatueis.Icanneverresistbeautifulthings."
Hewassilencedbyherreply,sogenuine,sounexpectedithadbeen.Ninegirlsoutoftenwouldhaveaccompaniedthatblushwithaprompt:"Ofcoursenot.Howsillyyouare!"Itwasonlylateronthatherealizedthathestillhadn'tlearntwhathewantedfromheranswer.
"Don'tletthatbrotherofyoursslackatthiseleventhhour,"hesaid."Idependonyoutogethimthrough."
Sheturnedthen,andhertiltedeyesweresuddenlydistressed."Oh,Mark,Ihavetried,"shesaidearnestly."JulietalkedtomeduringtheweekaboutitandIspoketoSebastian,butweonlysucceededinquarrelling.Idon'twanthimtoletyoudown.I'maskeenasyouareforhimtogetthrough.Irealize,fromyourpointofview,hownecessaryitis."Sherememberedhimcomfortingherinherdistress,andfeltagainthesharpintimacyofthateveningtogether."Youaresogoodtousboth.Idoappreciateit."
"Don't,forheaven'ssake,alwaysfeelthisawfulweightofobligation,"hesaidalittlegruffly."Idon'twantyouofallpeopletofeelbeholdentome."
Itwas'awordshehadsooftenusedherselfinconnectionwithhimthatshewassilent,andglancingathisdarkprofileshethoughthelookedtiredandalittlesad.
"Mark,IwishIcoulddosomethingforyou,"shesaidimpulsively."IwishIcouldgiveyousomething.ButIhaven'tanythingtogive."
Hefoundthathecouldn'tmeethereyesjustthen,buthesaidwithasimplerushof
gratitudewhichtouchedhersharply,"That'sthesweetestthinganyonehaseversaidtome,Gina.Thankyou."Thenheaddedinhismoreusualtones,"Ihaven'tdoneanythingforyou,afterall."
Shesmiledathim."You'realwaysdoingthingsforme,"shesaid,andresolved,withafiercenesswhichrushedsuddenlyoverher,thatSebastianshouldbemadetoworkwhateverhappened.Markcouldnotbedisappointedwhenhetooksuchareal,uncalled-forinterestinthem.
Inthetrain,heleantoutofthewindowandbadehergood-bye."Manythanksforturningout.Gocarefullyonthewayback,Gina.Don'ttakerisks.Andeatagoodbreakfastwhenyougetin."
Ginadrovehome,filledwithaburningchampionshipforMark,andnearlycollidedwithSebastian,whowasturningoutofthedrive-gatesatfullgallopinthedonkey-cart.
"Whereareyougoing?"sheshouted.
"Neveryoumind,"repliedSebastian,hisgreeneyesdancing."I'moffforagrandspree.BackthecarsoIcangetpast."
"Howlongwillyoubegone?"demandedGina,payingnoattention.
"HowdoIknow?Allday,allnight—Ican'ttell."
"Aren'tyougoingtodoanyworkthen?"
"Work?"
"Sebastian,Idothinkit'sfoulofyou,assoonasMark'sbackisturned—"
"Blast!WhydoyoualwaysdragintheJudge?Asifhewasn'tbadenoughwhenhewashere.Islavedallyesterday."
"Onlyinthemorning.Anyway,ithastobedone.It'snotverylongnow."
"Whosaysithastobedone?Oh,chuckit,Ginny,andbackthecar."
Ginasettledherselffirmlyatthewheel."Iwon't,"shesaid,thrustingoutherchin."IfIhavetosithereallday,Iwon'ttillyoutakebacktheassandgettowork."
Sebastianlookedathissistersharply,thenhistemperflaredup."Gettoblazesoutofhere!"heshouted.
"Gettoblazesoutofityourself!"sheshoutedback.
Sebastiansprangoutofthecartandrushedathissister.
"I'llmakeyougetout!I'llmakeyougetout!"heyelled,seizingherbytheshouldersandshakingher.Sheclutchedathisthickhairandtugged,nowasangryashe.
"Leavemealone,younastylittlepimp!"shescreamed."Takeyourdirtyhandsoffme!Gobacktoyourcousintheass!"
Atthismoment,attractedbythenoise,Julie,closelyfollowedbySweeny,camehurryingfromthehouse.
"Gina!Sebastian!Haveyougonemad?"Julieexclaimed."Comeinatonce,andstopquarrelling.Doyouwanteverypasser-bytohearwhatyou'resaying?"
TheyreleasedeachotherandturnedgloweringfacesuponJulie,whichsoexactlyresembledeachotherforthemomentthatshehadtolaugh.
"Takethecarbacktothegarage,Gina,please,"shesaid."Whatwereyoudoingwiththedonkey-cart,Sebastian?You'vegottoworktoday,youknow.Noslackingforthenextfortnight.Putherbackinthepaddock,Sweeny."
Sebastianfollowedhisstepmotherintothehouse.Hewaswhitewithrage,andwithoutawordtoJulieherushedupstairs,andlockedhimselfintohisroom.Ginacameinfromthegarageandwentintothediningroom.!oeatsomebelatedbreakfast.Shetoowaswhite,andhergreeneyesblazed.Shesplashedsomecoffeeintoacupandbangeditdownbesideherplate.
"Really,Gina,you'rebothtoooldtobehavelikethis,"saidJulie,standinginthedoorwayandwatchingher."Yousoseldomquarrel.Whathappened?"
"Nothing,"saidGinabriefly,andwithaslightshrugJulielefther.
Sebastianwasnottobeseenallday,andJulie,knowinghewasshutinhisbedroom,lefthimalone,hopingthathemightafterallhavecometohissensesandbeworking.Butwhendinnerwasreadyandhestilldidn'tappear,shebecameannoyed.
"Hecan'tgoonbehavinglikethis,"shesaid."It'stooabsurd.Hemustcomedownandeatapropermeal.Runupandfetchhim,Gina."
Ginawentandknockedonherbrother'sdoor.ItwasunlikeSebastiantokeepupaquarrelallthistime.Shegotnoanswerandknockedagain.
"Doletmein,Sebastiandarling.Don'tsulk.Youneverdo,"shebegged,andrattledthehandle.Itturnedinherhand,andthedooropenedquiteeasily.Itwasn'tlockedatall,andtheroomwasempty.
Ginawentin.Shebegantofeelfrightenedandlookedwildlyroundtheroom.Foolscapwasscatteredoverasmalldesk,andacrossoneofthesheetswashastilyscrawled:
"Toanyoneitmayconcern.I'msickofyouallandI'vehookedit.Nooneneedworry,asI'msurenoonewillhaveworkwaitingforme.
"SEBASTIANGALE."
Ginasnatchedupthepaperandrusheddownthestairscrying:"Julie,Julie!"
"He'sgone!"shesaidtragically,asherstepmothercameintothehall."He'schuckedeverything.Ifeltitmighthappen.Oh,Julie!"Shebegantocry.
CHAPTERVII
I
JULIEtookSebastian'smessageandreaditcarefully."Theyoungfool!"sheexclaimedfuriously.
"What'stobedone?"sobbedGina.
"There'snothingcanbedone,"Julieansweredcurtly.
"Hemustbebroughtback.Wecan'tletMarkdownlikethis.Wemustfindhim."
"Howonearthcanwe?Hetellsusnothing,yousee.Wehavenoideawhereheis."
"Ihave,"saidGina,hertearsceasingpromptly."He'sgonetothatfilthyswineDoyle.Sebastianalwayssaidhe'dfindhimworkifhewanted.That'swhereheis.He's
withDoyle."
"Itlookslikeit,"admittedJulieslowly.
"I'msureofit.There'snooneelseheknowsinEnglandoutsidethisplace.I'llgoupandfetchhimbacktomorrow.It'stoolatenow."
"Butwherewouldyoulook?"
"I'veonlygottogototheGrandHotelandgetDoyle'saddress.Theband'splayingthere."
"Idon'taltogetherlikeit,Gina.IthinkIoughttocomewithyou—orsendMark,"Juliesaiddoubtfully.
"No,Julie,thatwouldn'tdo.I'dreasonwithhimfarbetterbymyself.Andyoumustn'tsendMark.He'dbehopeless.Besides,wemightbeabletoworkitwithouthimknowinganythingaboutit.Letmego,Julie.I'llgethimback,Iswearit."
"Allright.Butstraightthereandback,Gina,andifyougetintoanydifficultiesringupMark.IfeelIreallyoughttodothatanyhow,butIdon'twanttoworryhimifyouthinkyoucanmanagealone."
GinawentuptoLondonearlyafterbreakfastthenextmorning.Juliegavehersomemoneyanddrovehertothestation."Doyourbest,Gina,"shesaid."Makehimlistentoyou.Hewill,Ithink.Hedoesn'treallyknowwhathewants."
ArrivedinLondon,shewentstraighttotheGrandHotel,buthereshereceivedherfirstcheck.NoneoftheprivateaddressesofBudBrown's"boys"wereknowntothemanagement,andthebandwasplayinginManchesterthisweek.
"Manchester!"exclaimedGinaindismay."HowdoIgetthere?"
Themanagerlookedatheralittleoddly."YougofromEuston,madam.There'satrainaboutmiddayifit'sreallyurgent,but—"hesaidalittledoubtfully.Thisyoungladycertainlydidn'tlooklikeapossessionofanyofthe"boys,"thoughofcourseyounevercouldtell.
"It'sveryurgent,"saidGinafirmly,andinquiredthewaytoEuston.
ShearrivedinManchesteraboutthemiddleoftheafternoon,andwentstraighttothehotelwhereshehadbeentoldthebandwasengaged.
"IwanttospeaktoMr.FredDoyle,"shetoldawaiter,whenatlastshecouldfindsomeonetopayanyattentiontoher.Shewaitedalongtime,thenthemanreturnedtosaytherewasnoMr.FredDoyleintheband.
Checkagain."Buttheremustbe,"shesaiddesperately."He'sthevocalist.Hewas
withthemnotlongago.Letmespeaktooneofthem,then."
Themanwentoffreluctantly,andappearedafterthenextdancewithawillowyyoungmanwithhairlikepatent-leather.
"YouwantDoyle,doyou?"hesaid,oglingGinaun-pleasantly."Didn'thetellyouhewasleavingus?Naughtyboy!Heleftlastweek."Hedustedhissleevewithamauvehandkerchief,andwaftedastrongperfumetoGina'snostrilsashedidso.
"Canyougivemehispresentaddress?"sheaskedalittlestiffly.
Heshruggedhisshoulders,andlookedatherwithhisheadononeside."Oh,thatwouldn'tbefair,"hesaid,smilingodiously.
AtthatmomentthebandbegantoplayPaupers'Parade,andGinasaidinexasperatedtones,"I'mnotintheleastinterestedinMr.Doyle,butI'mtryingtofindmybrother,whowrotethistune,andIthinkhemaybewithhim.Nowwillyoutellme?"
"Oh,you'retheyoungGale'ssister,"theyoungmansaidwithachangeoftone."IthoughtyouwerethedameFreddiewastryingtoshakeoff.I'mafraidIcan'thelpyoumuch.Freddie'sgonebacktoIreland.Wentyesterday."
"Ireland!"saidGinaindismay."Oh,lord!Youdon'thappentoknowifmybrotherwentwithhim?"
"Ithinkheverylikelydid.Freddiehadbeensayingforalongtimetheyexpectedtocombineajob.Hewasagreatbelieverinyourbrother'sability.Thatlittlenumber'sbeenararesuccess."
"Yes,butdoyouknow?'
"Well—Freddie'scontractfinishedlastweekandhetoldoneoftheboysyesterdaythatafriendhadsuddenlyturnedupandthey'ddecidedtogobacktotheirowncountryandfindworkthere."
"Isee.Thankyouverymuch.Imsorrytohavekeptyou,"saidGina,white-faced,andleftthehotel.
ShehadjustenoughmoneytobuyaticketbacktoLondon,andsatbackinhercarriagewonderingwhatonearthsheshoulddonow.Shedecidedafterthinkingoutseveralwildlyimpossibleschemes,thattheonlythinglefttodo,wastoseeMarkimmediatelyshearrivedanddemandthefaretoIreland.ItnevercrossedhermindthathewouldscarcelyallowhertogochasingallthatwayaloneafterSebastian,andifshehadn'trunoutofmoney,shewouldn'thavedreamedofaskinghisadvice.
ItwasaftersevenwhenshearrivedatEuston,andsherushedintoapubliccall-boxandrungupMark'schambers.
"I'msorry,butMr.Proctorleftabouttenminutesago.No,madam,Ihavenoideawhereheisgoing."
Anothercall,thistimetoMark'sflat.
"I'msorry,butMr.Proctorisnotexpectedintilllate.No,madam,Ihavenoideawherehemightbe."
Ginastoodoutsidethecall-boxandthoughtfuriously.IthadbecomedesperatelyimportanttohertofetchSebastianbackwithoutfurtherdelay.ShehadcrossedtheIrishSeaenoughtimestothinknothingofdashingofftoIrelandbyherselfinsearchofherbrother,andtheonlydifficultywasmoney.However,sincemoneyhadalwaysbeenlackingintheGalefamilyandthewantofithadneveryetstoodintheirway,Ginafirmlybelievedthatifshethoughtlongenoughtheproblemwouldsolveitself.
ShemarcheddowntheEustonRoadandintoagrimy-lookingpawn-shop.
"What'llyougivemeonthese?"sheasked,layinguponthecounterMark'sjadenecklace,andanold-fashionedbroochofhermother'swhichshehappenedtobewearing.
Themanglancedatthethingsandwipedadropofftheendofhisnosewithhiscuff."Whatd'youwant?"hesaidinevitably.
"Tenpounds,"saidGina,becauseshebelievedtentobelucky.
Hegaveadryguffaw."Mydearyounglady!Tenpounds?Forbeads!"
"They'rejadeandcostmuchmorethanthat,"saidGinasharply."Besides,there'sthebrooch."
"Poof!Topazandbrowndiamonds.Giveyouthirtybob."
"Thirtyshillings!"shecriedwithhorror,andthecolourflamedinherface."AmIgivingyoumebeadsandmebrooch?WillImakeyouapresentofmehatandmecoataswell?Ah,comeon,now.IonlywantmefaretoIreland,sothatIcanseemepoorbrotherbeforehegoes,Godresthissowl.Wouldyeletthepoorboydiewithnowordofhislittlesister,whohe'sbeencallin'andcryin'forthislongweekpast,andmewithmepursestolefrommethisdayandnotafriendintheworldtogoto?"
Shestoppedforbreath,andtheshabbylittlepawnbroker,peeringopen-mouthedatheroverhisspectacles,slowlymadeoutaticketandpaidtendirtypoundnotesoverthecounterwithoutanotherword.
"Thanks,"saidGina,anddivedoutoftheshop.
Shecaughttheboat-traintoHolyhead,and,realizingsuddenlythatsheh'adeatennothingmostoftheday,boughtasausage-rollandanappleontheplatform.
Itwascoldontheboat,andshewentbelowandcurledthankfullyinabunk,rollingherselftightlyintoherblanket.Itwasfairlyrough,'andhadshenotbeensoexhaustedwithherday'sadventuring,shewouldcertainlyhavebeenveryill.Asitwasshesleptsolidly,ifuneasilyuntilthestewardesswokeher.Shewentupondeck,herclothescreasedandcrumpledfromthenight,forshehadsleptineverythingbuthercapandshoes.AthickgreymistcompletelyhidthehousesofDunleary,andshepulledherhatdownoverherearsandshivered.Theboatpulledintothepier,thegangwaysslidacrosswitharattle,andIrishvoicesarguedmusicallyonallsides.
Gina'sspiritsbegantosoar.ThiswasIreland.Thiswasherownlandagain,thesewereherownpeople.Whyhadn'tsherealizedthatshewascominghome?Orhadthatthoughtbeenatthebackofhermindallthetime?Shecouldn'tsay.ButhereshewastreadingthedirtandlitterofIrishcobblesoncemore,herewereIrishvoicesandIrishfaces;Englandwasbehindher,shewashome.
Shestoodsolongonthequay,sniffingthefamiliarindescribablesmells,thatshenearlymissedtheslowlittletrainintoDublin.Shesatjoyouslyboltuprightonthehardwoodenseatofthesecond-classcompartment,andwatchedforeachfamiliarlandmark.InDublinshedrankalargecupofcoffeeatthebuffet,thenboardedatramwhichwouldtakeherwithinwalkingdistanceoftheDoyles'house,wheresheandSebastianhadstayedanightontheirwayhomelastEaster.
Atlasttheendofthejourney.GinaknockedexcitedlyontheDoyles'frontdoor,whichwasopenedbyFredhimself.
"Holymother,ifitisn'tMissGina!"heexclaimed.
"IsSebastianhere?"askedGinaquickly,almostgladtoseetheyoungman'sfreckledfaceagain.
"Faith,heisnot!"wastheunexpectedanswer."Thatvillainhasnoresponsibilityonhim.Hespentonenightwithus,andwentoffwithaplay-actinglottotravel."
"What!"criedGina,almostreadytocry.Theglorywentoutoftheday,andshewouldhaveweptonDoyle'sshoulderwithouttheslightestdistaste,hadhenotpulledherintotheirlittledining-room,wherethefamilywasstillatbreakfast,andsatherdownhastilybesidehismother.
"Waitnow,beforeyoustartbawlin',"hesaidhurriedly."Mother,yourememberMissGinaGale?Hereshe'stravelledallnightfromEnglandtofindherbrother,andheonlylavingusyesterday,andisn'titthegreatshame?Givehersometaynowan'she'llbe'alrightinaminute."
Theyfussedoverher,delightedtowelcomeheramongthem,andshewasmadetoeatahugebreakfastanddrinkthreecupsofalmostblacktea.Whilesheate,DoyletoldherallheknewaboutSebastian,who,ontheboat,hadapparentlystruckupanacquaintancewiththemanagerofasmallcompanyofIrishplayerswhomadealivingby
performinginthelittle-knowncountryvillages.HehadofferedtotakeonSebastian,who,wildlyattractedbytheproposal,hadthrownupallideaofworkingonhismusicincombinationwithDoyle,andhadgoneoffwiththecompanyyesterday.Ineachevent,Ginahadbeenonedaytoolate.
"What'llIdonow?"shesaiddespondently.
"You'llcatchhimatBallyskillenifyougotoday,They'replayingtheretonight,"Doylesaidconsolingly."It'sonlyacoupleofhours'journey.Ithinkyouwereright,MissGina.Hemightassoonbeathisbuksasoverhere.He'llgivehismindtonothing."
ShecametoBallyskillenintimetobeforevercaptivatedbyitswildcharm.Thesunwasjustabouttoslipbehindthebluequiethills,andinitsrosylightthevillagelaytouchedwithfire.Thewhitewallsofthecabinsglowedwithcolour,andbeyond,thepoolsofpeatywateratthefootofthehillswereaflamelikelittlejewels.
Gina,walkinginadimenchantmentdownthevillagestreet,metSebastiancomingup,ayellowmufflerroundhisneck,andmagicinhiseyes.
"It'ssobeautiful,"saidGina,asthoughshehadmethimhalf'anhourago,andhereplied:"Youmustseeitfromoverhere,"andtakingherhand,ranwithherdownthestreet,intothesquelchingboggyturf,andupasteeplittleriseintheground.
Theystoodsidebysideinsilence,watchingthechanginglight,untilthesunsankaltogetherbehindthehills,leavingasadveilovertheland,alittlewindruffledthecoarsestronggrassattheirfeet,andGinashivered.
"Let'sgoback,"Sebastiansaid,flinginganarmacrosshershoulders."Howmarvelloustoseeyouhere,Ginny.JusttheonepersonIwaswantingtocompletethefun.Iknewyouwouldn'tbeabletostickitwithoutme.Whatgreattimeswe'regoingtohave."
"But,Sebastian,Ihaven'trunaway.I'vecometofetchyouback,"Ginafaltered.
Hethrewhisheadbackandgaveagreatshoutoflaughter."Takemeback!"hecriedderisively."FromIreland—fromthisnewgorgeouslife?Never!"
"Youmustcome.Ipromised—I'vecomeallthiswaytofetchyou—youcan'tletMarkdownlikethis."
ButeventhementionofMarkcouldn'tmakehimcross."Don'tbothertoargue,darling,it'llmakenodifference.Tomorrowyouwon'twanttoleaveyourself.Wecan'tevergobacknow,"helaughed,andtherewasaqueerunrealairaboutthewholeadventurethatmadeitalreadyseemimpossibletoreturn.TherewasnoarguingwithSebastianhere.Therewasindeedafeelingofenchantmentcreepingoverherownwillwhichmadeherreluctanttodiscussthethingatall.
HetookhertothelittletinhallwherearehearsalwasInprogress,andintroduced
hertothecompany,who,inthefashionoftheirkind,acceptedherpromptlyasoneofthemselves,andtookitforgrantedshewouldstopwiththem.
"Therearealwayssmallpartsyoucanfill,"themanagertoldherkindly."Wewillbegladtohaveyou."
Shesatinthebodyofthehallwatchingtherehearsal,andpresentlyitwasSebastian'scue,andhewentupontotheshakyplatformwhichdiddutyforastage,andleftheralone.Quietlysheslippedoutintothestreet,andfoundthepost-office.Thiswasallgoingtobeverymuchmoredifficultthanshehadanticipated,notlesssobecauseshelongedaboveallelsetothrowinherlotwiththesepeopleandbefreeofEnglandandherotherlife.Afterall,wouldn'tthatsolvetheproblemoftheirexistenceasfarasMarkwasconcerned?
ShesentawiretoJulie,sayingwheretheywere,andaskingformoremoney,sinceatpresentitwasnotpossibleforeitherofthemtoreturnhome,Gina'ssupplybeingalmostexhausted.ItwasnotuntilshesignedhernamethatsherealizedthiswasthefirstintimationJuliewouldhavereceivedastowhathadhappenedtohersinceshehadlefttheBarnHouseyesterdaymorning.Wasitonlyyesterdaymorning?Italreadyseemedalifetimeago,andGinahadaswiftvisionoftheanxioustwenty-fourhoursJuliemusthavepassedthrough,waitingfornews.She'added"Don'tworryallwell"tothemessage,andpusheditacrossthecounter.ThecompanywereplayinginBailyskillenforanotherthreedays,soifJuliewiredthemoney,shereflected,theycouldreturnthedaytheyallpackedupforthenextvillage.
Shewassuddenlyverytired,andherheadbegantoache,and,snatchingoffherhatwithagreatreliefthatherjourneyingswereatlastover,shewentbacktotherehearsal.
II
Itwasthelastdayofthecompany'sstayinBallyskillen.Tonighttheywouldgivetheirlastperformance,andto-morrowtheywouldpackupandmoveon.Everyoneexperiencedregret,andtherewasnotoneofthemwhowouldnothavegladlystayedanotherweek,soenchantingwastheplace,sokindlythepeople.
Gina,perchedonthewalloutsidethetinhall,wassit-tinginherfavouriteattitude—armshuggingherchest,chinthrustforward,andherforeheadcreasedinafrown.Shesat,staringouttothehills,whichlaydarkinshadowbeforethesunsettouchedthem.ItwasthesamehourintheafternoonwhenshehadarrivedinBallyskillen,andtherewas
goingtobethesameflamingsky.
Ginasatandthought,kickingidlyatthestones.NomoneyhadcomefromJulie,onlyacurtwirefromMarkwhichsaid:"Staywhereyouareuntilyouhearagain."Well,thatwasridiculous,shereflectedwithacertain,amountofsatisfaction.Youcouldn'tstaywhereyouwereandsupportyourselfwithoutmoney,andsotherewasonlyonethingtobedone.Theymustmoveonwiththecompany.
Gina,lookingupthevillagestreet,casuallyobservedamancomeoutofthepost-officeandwalktowardsher.Shestaredathimforseveralmoments,automaticallynoticingthathishatnevercameoutofIreland.ThefactthathewaslimpingslightlymadeherthinkofMark,and,oncehewasinhermind,sherealizedwithafaintsenseofshockthatthissamemanwas,infact,he.
Shenevermoved,andbeforeherecognizedhershehadtimetoseehowverytiredhelooked.Tiredandrathersad,ashelimpedtowardsher,andshefeltherthroatcontractsharply.Hesawherthen,andstoodquitestill,observingher.Sheseemedsubtlytohavechanged,thoughinwhatwayhedidn'tknow.Shelookedathome,partofhersurroundings,andwhenshespoke,evenhervoicewasdifferent.
"Hullo,Mark,"shesaidwiththesoftintonationofhercountry.
"Hallo,Gina,"wasallhecouldthinkoftoreply,andatthatmomentSebastiancameoutofthehall,wherealastrehearsalwasinprogress,andseeingMark,saidwitheveryexpressionofalarmanddisgust:
"Teacher!Byallthat'sdamnable!"Theatmospherechangedabruptly,andMarkturnedonSebastianwithalltheevidenceofhisoldmanner.
"Youyoungfool!Doyouthinkyoucanbehavelikethiswheneveryoufeelinclined?"hesaidsharply."Nowyou'vehadusallchasingafteryou,perhapsyou'llconsenttocomehome."
"Wearehome,"saidSebastianinsolently,andGinasawafainthintofpainintheolderman'seyes.
"I'msorryyoucan'tlookupontheBarnHouseasyourhome,"hesaidquietly."ButI'mafraidforthepresentthatcan'tmakeanydifference.Hasitneverstruckyou,Sebastian,thatyou'rebothunderage,andcanbecompelledbylawtolivewhereyou'retold?"
Itclearlyneverhadstruckhim,andSebastianglaredfuriouslyatMarkforamoment,searchingforaflowofwordswhichwouldeffectuallysweepthisstatementaside,butallhecouldfindtosaywas,"WhatdoIcare?"
"Probablynothing.That'sofnoconsequence,"saidMarkindifferently."Italsodoesn'tseemtostrikeyouthatyoumighthavelandedyoursisterindifficulties."
"Ginny?What'sshegottodowithit?"
"Shewentafteryou,didn'tshe?Chasedalloverthecountrysidewithverylittlemoney.Anythingmighthavehappened,"Markwarmedtohistheme."Theremighthavebeenanaccident,orshemighthavebeenabducted.Anything—we'dneverhaveknown."
"Ginnyabducted?I'dliketoseeanyonetry,"saidSebastianderisively."Anyway,whydon'tyoupitchintoheraboutit?Shewasthefoolwhoneverletyouknowwhereshewasgoing.Wecanbothlookafterourselvesverynicely,thankyou,Mark."
"Thatbeingso,willyoupleasebereadytostartbackwithmethisevening?"Markrepliedcoldly."WeshallhavetospendthenightinDublinasitis."
"You'recrazy,"laughedSebastianuneasily."Wecan'tgotonight,we'rebothplaying.Tomorrowtheymoveon,andwewiththem."
"Youthinkso?"Marksaidverypolitely,andtheboyfidgeted.
"Well,askGina.Shecametofetchmehomelikeabadlittleboy,butIdon'tthinkyou'llfindshe'ssokeentoleave,"hesaid,anddartedbackintothehall,mutteringthathisentrancewasdue.
Markstood,lookingafterhim,thenslowlyturnedandsawthesunjustbeginningtodipbehindthehills.
"Lord!Whatasunset!"heexclaimedinvoluntarily,andGinaslippedoffthewall.
"Comeandseeitfromoverhere,"shesaid,asSebastianhadfirstsaidtoher,andtakinghimbythehandshewalkedwithhimintothetoughbrowngrass.
III
Hestoodbesideheronthelittlehill,lookingawayovertheglitteringpoolsofbog-water.Shestillheldhishand,andhelookedathersmallavertedprofile,tryingtodeterminefromherfacewhathermoodwas.Herlipshadthathintofbitternessaboutthemwhichoflate,withhim,theyhadceasedtoshow.Theywerepalelikeherface,butherhair,blowinggentlyinthewind,wasturnedbytheglowinglightintoafieryhaloaboutherhead.
"Gina—"Sheturnedherfaceslowly,butdidn'tlookathim."Willyouhatetocomeawaysomuch?"
Shelookeddownathisfingers,whichshewasslowlyopeningandshuttingastheylayinherhand.Gentlytheyclosedroundhers."Gina—you'llcome?"
Theyneitherofthemrealizedthathewaspleadingwith-herforsomethingwhichtoallintentsandpurposesshehadshownnointentionofrefusinghim,evenifshehadthepower.
"Yes,"shesaidthen,withalittlesigh,andafterabitaddedregretfully,"Butitdoesseemawaste,whennooneparticularlywantsus.Wedon'tlikebeingadutytoanyone."
Hesmiledslightly,thenwasgrave."Iwantyou,Gina,"hesaidwithsuchsinceresimplicitythatshelookedupquickly.Hewaswatchingheranxiously,hiseyesalittleafraid,andshetightenedhergriponhisfingers.
"Doyoureally,Mark?Youwantme'asaperson?"shecriedeagerly,anddidn'taltogetherunderstandtheexpressionwhichflashedacrosshisquietface.
"Yes.Asaperson—asyourself,Gina,"hesaidgravely,andshegaveherselfalittleshake.
"Ofcoursewe'llcome,"shesaid."Therewasn'treallyanyquestionofbeingabletorefuse.Butnottilltomorrow,Mark.Youmustwatchtheshowtonight,andtomorrowwe'llgoback.Wecouldn'tletthesepeopledown,yousee.They'vebeensoawfullygoodtous."
Earlythenextmorning,MarkstoodbetweenthetwoyoungGalesatthelittlestationandsawthecompanyoff.Theyhungoutofeverywindow,shoutingfarewellsandblessingsandwavinghandkerchiefs.Sebastianjumpedupanddown,wavingandyellingviolently,whileGina,whohadembracedeveryonemanytimesover,hungontoMark'sarm,andgazeddespondentlyafterthedwindlingtrain,herfacewetwithtears.
"Theyweredarlings,"shesaid."Andnowit'sallover,andIdon'tsupposewe'lleverseethemagain."
"Andallmyfutureisexaminations!"addedSebastianwithpoint.
Markslippedanarmthrougheachoftheirsandpilotedthemoutofthestation."YoumakemefeelveryliketheWickedOldUncle,"hesaid,withalaughattheirmiserablefaces."Comeandgetsomebreakfast.Weshallbestartingourselvesinanotherhour."
Sebastianwentintothehousetoputtogetherhisfewbelongings.Ginahadnonetocollect.
"DoyoulikeIreland,Mark?"sheaskedhim.
Hewassilentforamoment,thenhesaidthoughtfully,"It'sverybeautiful—likealovelydissatisfiedwoman."
"Oh,"saidGinauncertainly,thenswiftlyleavingthesubject,shesaidalittleapologetically,"Mark—I'msorryifJulieworried.ItwasstupidofmenottoletherknowwhereIwas."
"DidyouneverthinkthatImightworrytoo?"heasked.
"Didyou?"shecounteredwithslightsurprise.
"Iwassickwithanxietytillyourwirecame,"hetoldherquietly,anditwasthenearestheevercametoreproachingherforherthoughtlessness.
Shegavehimoneswiftglance,wonderingjustwhathereallythoughtaboutthewholeaffair,thenshesmiledhersuddensmileofgreatsweetness,andsaidsimply:
"I'mgladtobegoingbackwithyou,Mark.Thankyouforcoming."
CHAPTERVIII
THEyoungGalesstoodatthewindowofMark'sstudy,watchingtheleadensky.Atthreeo'clockintheafternoonitwasalreadynearlydark,andthewindwasrising.
"It'llcomeanyminutenow,"Sebastiansaidcomfort-ably.
"Whatfun!AwhiteChristmas!"saidGina.
"It'llputanendtohunting,"saidSebastian,andtheyhuggedeachother.
ItwastwodaysbeforeChristmas,andJuliehadbeenimmersedinpreparationsforthepasttwenty-fourhours,forshewasexpectingguests,
"WhataretheCareyslike?"anxiouslyaskedSebastian,whohatedguests.
"Oh,youremember—quitenice,"Ginareplied."He'sintheJudge'slineofbusiness."
"Law?Thatmeansanotherstiff."
"Howunfair!"sheexclaimed."Markisn'tastiff."
"Stuffythen.Heneverdoesanythingwedo."
"Heisn'tstuffyeither.Andhecan'tdoeverythingwedo.He'slame."
"Oh,well,haveityourownway.Youlikehimnow,don'tyou,Ginny?"
Shethoughtforamoment."Whynow?"shehedged.
"Well,darling,really—'Youknowyouweretheonewhousedtokickandtalkaboutbeingunderobligations,"Sebastianlaughed.
"There'llalwaysbethat,"shesaidquickly."Butasaperson,he'sratherextraspecial,don'tyouthink?Idoadmirehimterribly."
"Dearloveus!Why?"
"Can'tyouseeforyourself?He'ssojust,andreliableandkind."
"Soareheapsofpeople."
"Idon'tthinktheyare,"shesaidslowly."Justpeoplearen'talwayskind.Besides,he'sreasonableand,Ishouldthink,understanding."
"Youonlythinkheis,Ginny,becausehelikesyou,"Sebastianobservedshrewdly."It'sperfectlyobviousthathe'sawfullyfondofyou.Whichismorethanheisofme."
Ginalaughed."It'sfunny,butyouandIseemtohavechangedplaces,"shesaid."YoualwaysusedtobetellingmewhatagoodsortMarkwas;nowIseemtobetellingyou."
"Well,it'sonlyreallytheoldstory,isn'tit?"hesaidwithagood-naturedshrug."YoucangetmoreoutofMark,andIcangetmoreoutofJulie.It'sthelawofsex."
"Ihatethatspirit,"shemutteredsavagely.
"Whatspirit?"
"Well—justoutforwhatyoucanget."
Sebastianstaredather."Goodlord,Ginny!ButwhatotherwayshouldwefeeltowardsMarkandJulie?"Hesaiditwithsuchgenuineamazementthathiswordslostsomeoftheirsignificance,andGinaonlyansweredrestlessly:"Oh,well,it'sarottenpointofview.Whatdotheyget?"
"Whyshouldtheygetanything?They'reonlydoingtheirduty."
"Itisn'tMark'sduty."
"Itis.Julie'shisonlysister.Shehasn'tanymoneyandshe'sgotustosupport.Markhasplentyofmoneyandnoonetosupport.Hedidtheobviousthing."
Ginaclenchedherhandssuddenlyandfrowned."Butthepointis—"shebeganinexasperatedtones,thenshesawherbrotherlookingatherwithawidesmileonhisface,hisgreeneyestiltedin'amusement.
"Georgina,you'realmostquarrellingwithme!"hesaid,andshewassilent.Sebastianwouldneverseeitherway.Hewasnotmadelikethat.Shewishedshewaslikehim;itwouldhavesavedheralotofunhappiness.
Shelookedoutofthewindowoverthebleak,wintrygarden."It'sbeginning,"shesaid.
Theystoodwatchingthefirstflakesofsnowspinningthiswayandthatineachgustofwindthatscurriedroundthehouse.Ginaglancedbehindheratthefirelitroom,andthoughthowpleasantitlookedwithitsdeepchairsandMark'sbooksflankingthefireplace.Afriendly,rathershabby,whollymasculineroom,andinfinitelypreferable,inGina'seyes,tothemoremoderndrawing-roomwhichJuliehaddoneupupontheirarrivalattheBarnHouse.Sherememberedwith'awarmglowofgratitudethatmemorablesupperbythefireandMarkgracingtheoccasionwithchampagne.
Sebastian,followingherbackwardgaze,thoughtonlyofthenumberoftimeshehadbeencompelledtositatthatdeskunderMark'skindlybutunrelaxingtuition,andheheavedasighofthanksgivingthatthisatleastwasbehindhim.Hehadtakenhisexaminationaboutafortnightago,andhadcomebackratherimpressedwithOxford,thoughhetookcarenottoletanyoneknowit.Julie,onceshehadrelievedherfeelingsathisexpense,upontheirreturnfromIreland,hadbeencharmingtohim.ShewasmorepreparedtobeannoyedwithGinaforcomplicatingmattersbychasingafterSebastianwithoutawordtoanyone.Itwas,shesaid,justthekindofthoughtless,exasperatingthingGinawoulddo,obligingMarktodrophisworkandwastetwodaysfetchingthembothback.
GinarepliedthatshehadseennoneedforMarktocomeinperson.Shehadonlywiredforthefarehome,andifhelikedtospendunnecessarymoneyingoinghimself,thatwashisfuneral.Butprivatelyshewonderedwhyhehadbothered,andcametotheratherirritatingconclusionthathemuststilltreatthemaschildren.
Inaburstofresentmentshehadsaidtohimlastweekend,"Youowemeatenner,
Judge."
Itwassounusualforhertodemandmoneyofhimthatheraisedhiseyebrowsinsurprise.
"Oh,how'sthat?"
"IhadtopawnsomethingformyfaretoIreland."
"Mydearchild!Whydidn'tyoutellmebefore?"heexclaimed."I'dnoidea—"
"HowdidyouthinkIgotthemoney?Thatitfelllikemannafromheaven?"sherepliedtartly.
Hereddenedlikeanyboy."I'mterriblysorry.I'mafraiditneverenteredmyheadthatyounaturallywouldn'thaveanymoney.Youknow,Gina,yououghtnevertohaverushedofflikethatwithouttellinganyone.
Anythingmighthavegonewrong,andSebastianmightnotevenhavebeenthere.Youmustnever—"
"Allright,uncle!"shesaid,usingherfavouriteretortwhenhebecameelderly.
Hecouldn'tresistadig."Howeverdidyoubringyourselftoaskmeforhardcash?"
Butshedidn'trise."Youowedittome.Itisn'tagift."shesaidcalmly."Ipawnedmypossessionsinyourinterests,thereforeyoupay."
Hesmiledalittlegrimly,thenaskedherforthepawnticket,and.toldherhewouldgetherthingsbackforher.
Itwassnowinghardwhentheyallarrivedattea-time.WhileJuliebroughthergueststoablazingfire,MarkcaughtGinaforamomentinthehall,andtossedherasmallpacket.
"Hereareyourvaluables,younaughtychild.Howdaredyougoandpawnmyhandsomegiftassoonasyougotit?"hesaid,teasingher.
"ItwastheonlythingofanyValueIpossessed,"shereturnedlightly."Ialwayswearit.Thankyou,Mark.SorryIhadtorookyou."
"Youlikeyourbeads,then?"
Shenodded."YouknowIdo."
Hewatchedheruntiethelittleparcel,andtakethenecklacefromitscase."Here,letme,"hesaid,asshefumbledwiththeclasp,andhewentandstoodbehindher.
Hesnappedtheclasptogether,anddroppedbothhandstoherthinshoulders,holdinghersothatshewasunabletogetawayfromhim.Instantlyherwholebodystiffened,andshebegantofighthim.
"No,no!Letmego!"shesaidwithpanicinhervoice,andhereleasedheratonce.Shewheeledroundtofacehim,andhesawthathereyeswerefrightened.
"Why—Gina!"hesaidgently,andcolourflamedintoherpaleface.
"I—I'msorry,"shesaidinembarrassedtones,andwentquicklyintothedrawing-room.
HestoodwhereheWasforamoment,lookingafterher,andwonderedthoughtfullywhatmanhadcausedthatviolentreactioninthechild,fortheinstinctivealarmedlittlestruggletolditsowntale.
Hefollowedherintothedrawing-room,whereJuliewasalreadydispensingteabeforealeapingfire.SheWasatherbest,graciousandrelaxed,forshewasfondofPhilippaCarey,acharming,vaguecreature,whoseairofdistractioncovered'averyshrewdintelligence.ShewasaboutJulie'sage,andherhusbandsharedchamberswithMark.
"We'redraggingyoutoallthelocalfestivities,"Juliewassaying."OnNewYear'sEvethere'sadanceatthePrattstowhichwe'vebeenbiddenwithaparty.Thenthere'stheCharityBallatEastcliffonthefourth.Ifitfreezeshardenough,theyhopetohaveaskatingpartyatClevelandsonBoxingNight."
Afterteatherewasageneralmovetodisperse.JulietookPhilippauptoherroom,andthetwomenretiredtoMark'sstudy.SebastianwenttothepianotoworkatasyncopatedcarolhehadbeeninspiredtodobytheprevailingChristmasspirit,'andGinastoodlisteningtohiminthecoldhall,whileshepulledbackoneofthecurtainsatthelongwindow,andstaredoutattheghostlyspinningflakesinthedarkness.
"IwishtheSwannwasn'tcoming,"shesaidonce.
"He'sanuisance—"abitoftheDeadMarchcreptintothecarol,"—weneedn'tbotherabouthimthough."
"Youneedn't,"saidGina,toolowforSebastiantohear;thenwithalittlewriggleshepulledthecurtainacrossthewindowagain,andswungherselfontothetopofthepiano,wheresheissueddirectionsandsuggestionsonthemusicforthenexthour,until,bothofthemtoocoldtoplaythereanylonger,theywentbacktothedrawing-room,wherePhilippaCareywasroastingshovelfulsofchestnutsinthefire.
II
Itwasstillsnowingthenextday,andthecountrywasdazzlingwithabrilliantsnow-light,thehugeflakesslowlywhirlingnow,darkagainstthesky.Itstoppedaltogetherafterlunch,andGinatookDogsbodyforawalk,toescapeVictor,who,arrivinglatelastnight,hadnotasyethadtimetocatchheralone.
PresentlyGinametEvanexercisinghisbull-terrier,andhegreetedheruproariously,peltingherwithsnowandchasingher,untilshefelllaughingintoasmalldrift.
"What'agorgeouscolouryou'vegot!Itcompletelychangesyou,"hecriedashepulledherout.Hedraggedhercloser,andshethoughthewasgoingtokissheragain,quickly,dispassionately,ashehaduponthatsummer'sdayinthecornfield.Buthisface,sonearherownthatshecouldseethetinygoldhairsonhisupperlip,whichhehadn'tmanagedtoshaveentirelyclean,colouredfaintly,and,hisblueeyessuddenlyserious,helethergoratherabruptly.
"Comebacktotea,andI'llrunyonhomeinthecarafterwards,"hesaid,turningandwalkingbesideher.
Hebroughtherbackafterteaandcameinforadrink.
"Abeau!"saidPhilipparapturouslywhenhehadgone."Andsobeautiful!Idon'tblameyou,Gina,forfalling.""Buthasshefallen?"teasedherhusband.
"Haveyoufallen?"askedPhilippa.
GinalookedacrossatMarkandsmiled,butfoundhedidn'treturnit."Perhaps,"shesaidlightly.
"Well,ifshehasn'tfallenforhim,hehasforher,that'squiteevident,"Philippasaiddecidedly."AndXforonedon'tblamehim."
"NorI,"saidCareygallantly.
"NorI,"saidMark,andsmiledthen.
Gina,ratheroverwhelmedbysuchwholesaleflattery,laughedalittleuncertainly'andranoutoftheroom.
"She'sratherdelicious,yourlittledependent,"saidPhilippa."Idon'tbelievesheknowsshe'sattractive."
"Don'tforheaven'ssakeeverletherhearyoucallherthat,"saidMarkquickly."Gina'sterriblysensitiveaboutthatsideofourrelationship."
"You'reveryfondofher,aren'tyou,Mark?"shesaidafteralittlepause.
Hewassilentforamomentbeforeheansweredsoftly,"Yes,I'mveryfondofher."
VictorandJuliecameinfrom'alast-minute'sshoppingexpeditiontothevillage,andJulieheldoutherfrozenhandstotheblaze.
"It'scoldascharity,"shesaid,shiveringalittleinherfurcoat.Shelookedupset,andglancingatVictor'ssulkyface,Markguessedtheyhadbeenquarrelling.Forthehundredthtimehewonderedwhatitwasthatshesawintheman,and,lookingagainatSwann,supposedtherewassomethinginhisratherflashy,animalgoodlookswhichmightappealtoawomanofJulie'stype.
ItwassocoldthatJuliehadtheseldom-usedbigfireplaceinthehallfilledwithblazinglogs,andintheeveningtheyrolledbacktherugsanddanced.
AfterdancingtwicewithElliotCareyandSebastian,Ginacouldn'trefuseVictorwithoutdrawingattentiontothefact,andsherevolvedmechanicallyinhisarmswithastonylittleface,whichwasnotunnoticedbyMark.
"Stillangrywithme,afterallthistime?"Swannaskedsoftlyaboveherhead.
Shemadenoreply.
"Sulkytoo?Dear,dear,thisisserious!"
Stillshedidn'tspeak.
"Don'tyouthink,mydear,"hecontinuedwithachangeoftone,"thatyou'recarryingittoofar?SupposeIadmitthatIbehavedbadly?Well,shallIsayI'msorry?Nowwillyouthawalittle?"
Shewasatalosshowtodealwithhim."Idon'tthinkyourapologisingcanevermakeusfriends,"shesaidalittleuncertainly,andhesuppressedasmile.
"I'mnotaskingforyourfriendship,"hefoldher."Afterall,I'mamanofacertainage,andyou'rejustagirl."
"Youshouldhavethoughtofthatbefore,"sheretorted,notintheleastcrushed.
Hegaveashortlaugh."Well,don'tyouthinkthatyourattitudeisalittleprovincial?"
"Iamprovincial,"shereplied.
Hewasnonplussed.Shewastooquickandtooclearsighted,thischild."Other
thingsapart,"hesaidsuavely,"ifyoucontinuetokeepupthisgame,youwillonlysucceedinmakingusbothconspicuous.Youdon'twanttodrawattentiontotheposition.Ipresume."
"That'strue,"sheadmitted,
"YouwerefoolishenoughrunningtoJulielikeanysillylittleschoolgirlthatnight,withouthavingtoletthewholehouseknowaswell,"hesaid,pressinghomehisadvantage."Itoldyoubefore,JulieandIunderstandoneanother.Shewasthewrongpersonforyoutohavegoneto,mydear."
"WouldyouratherI'dgonetoMark?"sheflashed.
Helookeddisturbed,thensmiledslowly."Iknowyouwouldn'tcaretodothat.Mendon'tappreciatetalesofthatkind.Itmakesitratherawkwardforthem.Besides,howdoyouknowyouweren'tmistaken?"
Shewassilent,bitingherlipmiserably.Shemissedastepandstumbled.
"Steady!"hesaid,andtightenedhisgrip,thencontinuedreassuringly,"Let'sforget'allaboutit.Youknowyou'reinafalsepositionoverthewholeaffair.Besides,I'msureyoudon'twanttomakethingsdifficultforJulie."
"No."
"Wellthen,let'scallatruce.Youbenicetome,andI'llbenicetoyou."
"Nice?"
"Youmustusethewordasyoumeanit.ButIthinkweunderstandeachothernow.You'llstopbeingafoolishlittlegirlwithme?"
"Ifyouleavemealone,"Ginasaiduncertainly,astherecordstoppedandtheirdancecametoanend,butheonlygaveherhisflashingsmile,andwentofftohelpJuliechooseanotherrecord.
GinawentandsatdownbesideMarkbythefire."Doyouneverdanceatall?"sheaskedhim.
Heshookhishead."I'mafraidnot.I'mreallynotableto,youknow."
"Butpeoplewhoareonlyslightlylameveryoftencan,"shepersisted.
"Ifinditmakesmetootired,andintheendgivesme'acertainamountofpain,soit'sscarcelyworthwhile,"hetoldher.
"Butyou'recomingtothePratts'dance,aren'tyou?"
"Idon'tthinkso."
"Northecharityball?"
Heshookhishead."I'vetakenaticket;that'salltheywant."
"Oh,howmean!"criedGinaindignantly."Ithinkit'sperfectlyabsurdthewayyoukeepoutofeverything'andletyourselfgetelderlyandavuncularjustbecauseyouhaveamouldyleg."
"DoyouthinkI'melderlyandavuncular?"
"OfcourseIdon't.Butyoutryhardenoughtomakeme,"shesaidimpatiently.
"Imustmendmywaysthen.HowshallIstart?"
"Well,whydon'tyoucometotheHospitalBallasyou'vegotaticket?Hangitall,Mark,yousendusallandpayforeverything,anddon'thaveanyofthefun."
"Butwhatwouldbethefunofgoingtoaballwhenyoucan'tdance?"heprotestedweakly.
"Don'tyoulikesittingout?Ithinkit'shalfthefun,"shesaidfrankly.
"WouldyousitoutwithmeifIcame?"heaskedher.
"OfcourseIwould,"shesaid."I'dsitouteverydancewithyouifitgaveyouanypleasure.Onlyyou'dbesohorriblybored."
"Oh,Gina,youcharmingchild!"hesaidwithasmile."Allright,I'llcomeifyoureallywantmeto."
III
ThefunwasinfullswingatClevelandswhenJulie'spartyarrivedonBoxingNight.Thebigfrozenlakewasalreadycrowded,andtheairrangwithvoicesandlaughterandthesoundofskatescuttingice.Lanternshungfromthebranchesoftreeslikeglowingfruit,andsomeoftheskaterscarriedtorches.AbandfromEastcliffhadbeenengagedtoplay,andtheystruckupawaltzasGinaexcitedlyputonherskates.
"Doesn'titlookthrilling?"shecriedtoMark,standingbesideher,thecollarofhisovercoatturneduptohisearsandamufflerroundhisneck.Itwasbitterlycold."I'veneverbeentosuchagrandice-party.Quick,Evan,hurryupwithyourskates."
"Comeon,then,I'mready,"Evananswered,andhelpedherontotheice."Canyouwaltz?"
"Iusedtobeableto.Letmefindmyfeetfirst."
Itwassoonevidenttobothmenthatshewasanexcellentperformer,andMarkstoodandwatchedherthinpliantbodytwistingandturningwithease,assuminganaturalgracewhichwaslackinginskaterswithprettierfiguresthanGina,
"It'smarvellous!Comeon,Evan,I'mallright!"shecried,andheldoutherhands.
Markwatchedthescenewithasuddenunwontedsenseofbitterness.Itwashardtobeoutofthingsatthirty-five,andhereflectedthatGinahadbeenquiterightwhenshehadaccusedhimofbecomingavuncular,butitseemedtohiminevitablethatthisshouldbeso,sincehehadnowacquiredandwaspracticallysupportingacompletefamily,anditmeanthard,unrelaxedworktokeepthemall.WhileJuliemightconceivablymarryVictorSwannoranyothermaninthenearfuture,SebastianandGinawouldbeunsolvedproblemsforseveralyearstocome.HerefusedatthemomenttoconsidertheprospectofGinaherselfmarrying,althoughJuliehadalwaysmadeitplainenoughthatthiswastheonlypossiblesolutionforher,andhehadanideathatwhenthetimecame,hissisterwouldnotbeoverscrupulousinchoosingahusbandforthegirl.Sebastianofcoursewasagenuineresponsibility.Heshowedsolittlepromiseofevermakingawayforhimself.Hewasfartoodependentonotherpeopleandotherpeople'smoneytoevershiftforhimself,butGina—
HebecameawareofheratthatmomentstandingatNancy'scocktailbar.Shewasbalancingherselfawkwardlyonherskates,andEvanhadthrownonearmaroundherinsupport.Theiryoungglowingfaceswerealivewithamutualenjoyment,asmuchofeachother'scompanyasofthecarnivalitself.Theywerehappy,andsoobviouslyateasewitheachotherthatMarkwonderedwithacertaindismayifJulie'splansshowedsignsofcomingtoaheadsoonerthanshehadhoped.
HewalkedawayinsearchofPhilippa,who,exhaustedbyhertumbles,wasdrinkingsteamingcoffeeoveroneofthebraziers.
"Thissortofthingmaybeallrightfortheveryyoung,"shesaid,makingroombesideherforMark,"butonceyou'vereachedmyage,tumbleshurt."
Hewassilent,andglancing'athim,shethoughthelookedwearyandrathersad.Hewasonlythesameageasherself,buttonighthelookedinfinitelyolder.
"Don'tmindme,mydear,"shesaidquickly."Iwasonlyjoking."
"No.You'requiteright,"hesaidthen.Hepattedhislameleg."Ginawasgoingfor
meonlytheotherdaybecauseIkeptoutof.things.ShesaidIwasbecomingavuncular.Thatstampsone,doesn'tit?"
"Ah,Gina."Philippanoddedthoughtfully,thenaddedshrewdly,"Youneverthoughtmuchaboutituntilthatlittlegirlgrewup,didyou?"
"No,perhapsIdidn't."
"AndyetGinastrikesmeasbeinglessofhergenerationthanmost.Imeanshewouldn'treallymindifsheneverwenttodances,orfrivoledaboutinayouthfulway.Shedealsmuchmoreinpersonalitiesthaningoodtimes.Shegivesmetheimpressionthatsheisfarmoreinneedofsteadyaffectionthanparties,andIdon'tthinkshe'severhadverymuch."
Helookedatherquickly."That'swhatI'vealwaysratherfeltmyself,"heagreed."She'scapable,Ithink,ofgivingalot,andshedoesn'tgetverymuch."
"Juliedoesn'tcareforher,doesshe?"
Heshruggedhisshoulders."Unfortunately,no.She'smuchfonderofSebastian."
"Isupposethat'snatural.Julieisentirelyaman'swomanreally.She'spossessive,youknow."
"Yes,Iknow.Thingsareratherdifficultforthechild."
"She'llprobablymarry,andthatwillsolveallyourtroubles,"shesaidlightly,butwatchinghimwithinterest.
"That'sallwomenseemtothinkof!"hesaidsoviolentlythatshesmiled."It'sJulie'sonlyplanforthegirl,andhasevensunkintoGina'smindaswell.Shetoldmealittlewhileagothatshemustmarryasquicklyaspossibletotakeherselfoffmyhands.It'samonstrousattitude!Nowtheboyisaproblem.Hehasnostabilityandnodefinitepurposeinlifeatallexceptlivingatotherpeople'sexpense."
"Oh,Mark!"saidPhilippaoverhercoffee-cup,andlaughedsoftly.
Ontheicetheywereplayingfollow-my-leader,headedbyVictor,whohadproceededtoorganizethispartyashehadsooftenorganizedwinter-sportspartiesinSwitzerland.Thatwashisstrongsuitand,asfarasitwent,wassuccessful.Hewasunflagginginhiseffortstokeepthingsgoing,andhewasgenerousintakingroundtheindifferentperformersiftheyhappenedtobeyoung,femaleandcharming.
Follow-my-leaderover,theybeganplayingfox-and-geese,withVictoras"fox."Thisprovedagreatsuccess.Thereweremanyscreamsasa"gosling"wascaughtanddetachedfromthelongstring,andacertainamountoftumbles.
NowGinawasthetail,andquitesuddenlythething,forher,ceasedtobeagame.
ShewasonlyconsciousofbeingpursuedbyVictor,andatallcostsshemustavoidbeingcaught.Shebegantobeafraid,andsheclutchedSebastian'scoatdesperately,hangingontohimwithgrimdeterminationastheyswungsuddenlyoutthiswayandthat,tryingtoeludethe"fox."Shefeltasshesooftenhadouthunting.Shewassickwithfearoffalling,sickwithfearofbeingcaught.InanticipationshefeltVictor'smusculararmsimprisoningher,carryingherofftounknownhorrors,andsuddenlyshewasawareofhimbearingdownonher.Shescreamed,letgoofSebastian'scoat,andturnedtoescape.
SheheardVictor'svoice,shouting,"Hey!That'snotfair!Youmustn'tseparate!"ashestartedtopursueher,andinherpanicshecrossedherskates.Thebobbinglanternsspunbeforehereyeslikemyriadsofburningoranges,andtheiceroseshimmeringtomeetherasshefeltherfeetshootfromunderher,andfellbackwards.
CHAPTERIX
I
ITwasVictorwhocarriedheracrosstheice.
MarkceasedsuddenlyinhisconversationwithPhilippatosay,"Hullo!Someone'sgothurt.Ithoughtthatgamewasgettingabitrough."
Theywentovertothespotwhereaknotofpeoplehadgathered,andMarksawwhoitwas.VictorhadlaidGina'ssmallbodyonthesnow,andwasnowkneelingbesideher,chafingherhands.Someonebroughtsomewater,andhebegantoforceitbetweenherteeth.
Markpushedhiswaythroughthecrowdandkneltclownbesideher."Whathappened?"heaskedanxiously.
"Idon'tknow."Victorlookedpuzzled."Shebrokeawayatthelastminuteandgotherskatescrossedorsomething.Can'tthinkwhyshedidit.Shemusthavefallenonthebackofherhead.She'llbeallrightinaminute."Hegaveheralittlemorewater,andshebegantocomeround.
ThefirstpersonshesawwasVictorbendingoverher,andMarkwatchedalookofpurefrightcomeintohereyes.
"Oh!Iwascaught!"shesaid.
Heslippedanarmunderhershoulders,drawingherawayfromSwann."Itwasonlyagame,Gina,"hesaidgently."Youjustfelldownonyourhead.Doyoufeelbetter?"
Shesatup,supportedbyMark,andfeltthebackofherheadgingerly.
"Ow!"sheexclaimed.
Sebastianappearedwithacupofcoffee,andshedrankit,lookingapologeticallyovertherimofthecup.
"I'mawfullysorry,"shesaid."Dogoonskating.I'mquiteallright."
Peoplebegantotalkinrelievedvoices,andpresentlytheydispersedandthebandstruckupawaltz.
"Allright.Gina?"askedJuliebehindher.
"Yes.thanks.Dogoaway,allofyou."Shewasbeginningtofeelshewantedtocry.
MarknoddedtoVictor,whotookJulieontotheice.TheCareyswentbacktothecoffee-stall,andGinawasleftwithMarkandSebastian.
"Thisyoungladyseemsalwaysintrouble,"saidafreshvoice,andGinalookedupandsmiledfeeblyatSirCharlesNapier."Ithinkyouhadbettercomeuptothehouseandrest."hesaidkindly.
"IthinkitwouldreallybebestifIgetherhomeandtobed,"Marksaidwithasmile.
"Perhapsitwouldonthewhole."SirCharlesagreed,andwhisperedtoGina,asshewashelpedtoherfeet,"I'llsendyouoversomefruittomorrowtomakeup."
"Whatanoldpetheis,"Ginasaid,andshebegantowalktowardstheircar,supportedoneachsidebyMarkandSebastian.
"Iwonderifyououghttosecadoctor,"Marksaid,tuckingarugroundherinthecar.
"Ohno.It'sonlyacrackonthehead,"saidGina,andburstintotears.
"Oh.Gina!Asbadasallthat?"Markasked,andsatdownbesideher.Hetookoffherberet,andstrokedherhairsoothingly."IwonderifIoughttotakeheralongtoadoctor?"hesaidtoSebastian.
"Don'tyouworry,"Sebastianrepliedcomfortably,settlinghimselfinthebackofthecar."It'sagoodsignwhenGinnycries.She'srelievingherfeelings.Somethingfrightenedher,Ithink.She'llstopinaminute."
Shehadbeguntostopalready,andacceptedMark'sprofferedhandkerchiefgratefully."Sorry,"shesaid."I'mallrightnow,really,Mark.Let'sgethome."
Helookedathertear-stainedfacealittlecuriously.
"WouldyoulikeJulietocomewithus—orPhilippa?"heaskedher,stillalittledoubtful.
"No,I'dmuchratherhaveyouandSebastian,"shesaid,andsnuggleddownbesidehim.
Hesmiled,reassured,andbackingthecaroutofitsline,startedforhome.
II
Ginalayinbed,staringatherlittletree.MarkhadgivenittoherforChristmas,anditstoodbyitselfonthemantelpiece,spreadingitsfragilebranches,alovelydelicatetrifleoffineblownglass.
Itwasfiveo'clockofthenextafternoon,andJuliehadjustlefther.Juliehadbeenunusuallygracious,fortheNapiershadbothcalledinformallytoinquireforGina,andrelationsbetweenClevelandsandtheBarnHousewereatlastestablished.GinalaystaringatMark'stree,andthinkingoverherstepmother'swords.
Julie,sittinggracefullyonthesideofthebed,hadglancedroundtheroom,hershrewdgazetakinginGina'ssmallcollectionofofferings.TherewasSirCharles'basketofhot-housepeachesandgrapes,whichshehadherselfjustbroughtupstairs,anda
greatbunchofchrysanthemumsfromEvanoutofhismother'sgreenhouse,theirbronzemop-headsverylikeGina'sown.LesspleasingperhapswasthesightofanunopenedboxofchocolatesfromVictor,andlastofallasmallcaseofcrystallizedfruit,especiallyprocured,Julieknew,thatmorningbyMark,whohadmotoredintoEastcliffforthepurpose.
"Whatalotoffussforalittlebumponthehead,"shesaidwithasmile."Beginningtobespoiltbymenalready,aren'tyou,Gina?"
"Iknow—itisabsurd.I'mquiteallrightreally,"Ginasaidapologetically.SheknewthatJuliewouldnotbepleasedthatMarkandVictorhadpaidheranyattention.
Julie'sregardrestedlastofallandlongestonherbrother'sgift,andfinallycamebacktoEvan'sflowers.
"Youlikethisyoungman,don'tyou?"shesaid,pickinguphiscardandholdingitdelicatelybetweenherwhitefingers.
"Who?Evan?Yes,Ilikehimverymuch,"Ginareplied,andfeltherselfblushingasherstepmother'sdarkeyesrestedsuddenlyonherface.
"He'sbeenrunningafteryoualotoflate,"Juliewentondeliberately."IusedtothinkhewasfondofthelittlePrattgirl,but—youwerealwaysfriends,weren'tyou?"
Ginanodded,feelingpuzzled.
"He'sacharmingyoungman,andwhentheoldpeoplearegone,ofcoursehewillbeverycomfortablyoff,andownthatniceoldhouseaswell.I'mgladyoulikehimsomuch,Gina."Juliepausedsuggestively,andGinasaidbluntly:
"DoyouwantmetomarryEvan,Julie?"
Juliespreadoutherhandsinalittledeprecatorygesture."Mydear—hasheaskedyou?"shesaidwithfaintreproof.
"No."
"Well,then,there'snoneedtodiscusssuchanindefiniteproposition,isthere?But,Gina,rememberthis—"Julieglancedswiftlyatherstepdaughter—"Markcan'tkeepyouforever,andyouwillbetwentyinacoupleofmonths."
She-roseunhurriedly,droppedEvan'scardintoGina'slap,andwithapleasantsmilecrossedtheroomtothedoor."You'regettingupintimefordinner,aren'tyou,dear?Takethingseasilyanddon'thurry.YoumustbewellforthePratts'dance."
SoGinalayandconsidered,andofthewholeconversationonlyonesentencestoodoutclearly—"Markcan'tkeepyouforever...."
Nohintcouldhavebeenmoreplain,andshefelthercheeksgrowhotassheimaginedMarkandJulietalkingheroverbetweenthem,speculatinguponthechancesofanearlymarriageforher,anxiousforherfuturetobesettledassoonaspossible.ShefeltparticularlyresentfultowardsMark,forheatleasthadassumedaverydifferentattitude,andshehadalreadycometoregardhimassomethingofanallyandarefugewhenlifebecametoocomplicated.Shecouldn'thelplikinghiminspiteofhersenseofobligationtowardshim.Hehadalwaysbeensokindandneverstressedherdependenceonhimmorethanhecouldhelp.
Ginaturnedherpillowoverandthumpeditimpatiently.Apersonwhowassonaturaltocryuponcouldn'tbeanenemy,shereflectedunhappily.Thereweresofewpeopletowhomyoucouldrevealyourweakerselfwithimpunity,thatthisfactalonemustformabondbetweenthem.
SheglancedatEvan'scardlyingontheeiderdownwhereJuliehaddroppedit,andreadagainthemessagescrawledabovehisname:"TakecareofthepoorheadandmakesureofbeingfitforNewYear'sEve—I'mhavingatleasteightdanceswithyou."
Shesmiled.DearEvan!Whatadarlinghewas!Shethoughtofhisyounggoldenbeautyandlayverystill.Ifheshouldaskher,itshouldn'tbedifficulttobeinlovewithEvan.Ifheshouldaskher....
Shecamedownstairsearly,andfoundSebastianatthepiano.
"Hullo,Ginny!Howdoyoufeel?"he'asked.
"Oh,nottoobad.Abittenderintheskull,"sheanswered,andswungherselfintoherfavouritepositiononthepiano."Everyonebrightandhappydownhere?"
"Absolutelytranslucent,"grinnedSebastian,breakingintosugaryarpeggios."Julie'sbeenwalkingonaireversincetheNapierscalled.Afterallthefusses,she'sgotaGaletothankforthat!SheandVictorhavebeenlookingliketurtle-dovesallday."
"I'dgivealottoknowifthey'llmarry,"Ginasaidslowly."Idon'tthinkJulieoughttomarrytheSwann."
"Whynot?"
"Oh—Idon'tthinkshecanrealizecertainthingsabouthim."
"Well,that'sherlook-out.Ishouldhavethoughthewasfairlyobvious."
"Shecan'tknow."
"Can'tknowwhat?"
"Oh—justcertainthings."
"What'sthematter,Ginny?Youlookasthoughyou'veseenaghost!"hesaid,andshegaveherselfalittleshake.
"DoI?Witch-like,Isuppose,"shesaidwithashortlaugh."Sebastian,Juliethinksit'stimeIgotmarried."
"Married?You?"Sebastiangaveagnomishchuckle,andperformedaflourishinthetreble."MypoorGinny,you'renotadult!"
"Onecan'tgoonbeingadolescentforever,"saidGinainaqueerlittlevoice."Ibecameadultquitethreemonthsago.Itisn'tabitpleasant,Iassureyou.I'mofamarriage-ableage.I'mnearlytwenty."
Hestoppedplayingandstaredather."Well,supposingyouare—whoistheretomarry?"hedemandedatlast,
Sheshrugged."Noone."
Hethoughtforamoment."Youdon'tthinkyou'reinlovewithEvanHunter,doyou?"hesaidincredulously.
"Idon'tthinkI'minlovewithanyone,"sherepliedfrankly"Butit'ssomethingatleasttobeattractedbythemanyoumarry."
"Thenyouarethinkingofmarryinghim?"
"Hehasn'taskedme.Buthe'sclearlyJulie'schoice."
"Rubbish!"SebastianbegantoplayPaupers'Paradefiercely."Didn'tItellyoubeforethatyouwon'tattractveryyoungmen?"
"ButIdoattractEvan,"saidGinameekly.
"Foramoment,becauseheseesyoulookingcleanandtidysuddenly,butthatwon'tlast.TheSprat'shismark."
"Well,I'vegottomarrysomeone."
"Don'tbeinsuchahurry.WhenIcomedownfromOxford,we'llsetuphousetogether,andberidofthewholebunchofthem.That'sthebestthingforyou,darling."
III
Thecoldweatherheld.Everypondinthedistrictwasfrozenhard,andskatingpartiestookplaceeveryday.
Gina,completelyrecovered,spentallhertimeontheicewithEvanandSebastianasconstantcompanions.ItbecameEvan'sprincipalaiminlifetogiveSebastiantheslip,sothathemighthaveGinatohimself,andhebecamequitecleveratdepositingherbrothersafelyatonepond,whilehequietlycarriedherawaytoanother.ButSebastianwasnottheonlypersonhehadtocontendwith.Ginabecamesuddenlypopularbyreasonofherskatingexcellence,andshewasmuchindemandasapartner.
ThencametheeveningofthePratts'dance.
ThePrattshadcertainlydonethingsinstyle.
"Itlookslikeafilmstar'swedding,"murmuredPhilippa,astheymountedthestairstoshakehandswiththeirhostandhostess.
Therewerehot-houseflowersbankedhighineverypossibleplace,theirstrong,sicklyscentalreadybecomingslightlyoverpowering.Afirst-classbandwasplayingintheballroom,andthecrushofpeoplewasterrific.
Nancy,standingbesideherparents,lookedaslovelyasaface-creamadvertisement.Herwhitefluffyfrockwasnewandexpensive,andsheeyedherfeminineguestswithpleasureassherecognizedgownswornuponotheroccasions.ButGina,comingupthestairsinafrockoftawnyorganzawhichemphasizedtherichtonesofherhair,wasasuddenlydisturbingsight,sinceEvanwasincloseattendance.Nancyexperiencedtheunusualsensationthatherowndresswasobvious,thatGina'sjadenecklace,shoes,andbagwereclevertouches,andthatsheshouldherselfhaveworncolouredshoesinsteadofwhiteones,whichwouldgetdirtyafterafewdances.
Itwasdifficulttodancewithanypleasuresincetheroomwasmuchtoocrowded,andafterseveralattemptsEvanandGinagaveitup,andwentinsearchofaquietsitting-outplace.
"Well,Gina?"
"Well,Evan?"
Helaughed,thenlookedatherwithsuchundisguisedadmirationthatshesmiled.
"You'rewonderfulinthatfrock,"hetoldher."It'snew,isn'tit?"
Shenodded."Juliegaveittomeforthecharityball,butIwouldn'twaittillthentowearit."
"Youknow,it'ssoqueertothinkthatyoulikeclothesasmuchasanyothergirl."
"Oh?Why?"
"Idon'tknow."Helaughedandlookedalittlesheepish."Iusedtothinkofyouasatomboy,I'mafraid.Youdidgrowupawfullysuddenly,Gina."
Shewassilentamoment,thenshesaidquietly,"Ineverhadverynicethingsbefore.Youcan'tbefemininewhenyou'restilltreatedlikeaschoolgirl."
"PoorlittleGinny!Butthat'sallovernow,isn'tit?Someone'sspreadthemselvesonclothesforyou."
"ThatwasJulie.Shemusthavespentalotofmoney.Idon'tfrightfullylikeit,butstill—IsupposeIamherresponsibility."
"Averysweetresponsibility.Iwish—"
"Evan—Ihaven'tapennytomyname,"shesaidquickly,andwonderedwhyshehadsaidit.
"Iknow."Helookedacrossather,hiseyesgentianblueandsuddenlyserious."Youlikemealittle,don'tyou,Gina?"
"Averygreatdeal."
"Thenmayn'tI—"
"Oh,Evan,don'tlet'sbeserious,"shesaidsuddenly."Anothertimewe'llsitandbeverygraveandthoughtful,buttonight—"Shebrokeoffandlookedathimwitheyesthatweresuddenlyverybright.
Heappearedalittlepuzzled."Butsometime,Ginadear,Iwanttotalktoyouseriously,"hesaid.
Shefeltasmallthrillofexcitementathiswords,andnotaltogetherunderstandingherownimpulsetoputhimoff,saidwithalittlelaugh:
"Asseriouslyasyoulike,Evandarling,butnotnow.Allthis"—shespreadoutherhands,indicatingthemassofflowerdecorationaroundthem—"besides,it'sNancy'sdance."
"What'sthatgottodowithit?"
"Idon'tknow,butyoumight.Comeandlet'sfindices."
Shejumpedupandtookhimbythehand,pullinghimtohisfeet.
"You'remarvellous,"hesaidinarticulately,andflingingonearmroundherwaistwentwithhertowardsthedoor,whichopenedatthesamemomenttoadmitNancyandherpartner,whohappenedtobeVictor.
"Oh!"Nancywastakenoffherguard.Sheforgottopose,andherblueeyesfilledwithsuddentearsasshelookedatEvan,hisarmroundGina,bothofthemflushedandlaughing.
"Hullo,Nancy!"saidGinaalittleawkwardly."Yourdanceislovely."
Nancy'slittleairsandgracescamebacktoherwitharush,andshedimpledandtossedhercurls.
"I'msogladyou'reenjoyingit,Ginadear,"shesaidsweetly,thenturnedtoEvanreproachfully."Youhaven'taskedmeforadanceyet,Evan,andI'myourhostess,"shesaid.
Heflushedscarletandfumbledguiltilyforhisprogramme."Didn'tI?Mydear,I'msureImusthave,"hestammered,lookingextremelyuncomfortable."Isuppose—well,ofcourseyou'recompletelybookedupnow.I'mterriblydisappointed."
"I'msureyoumustbe.Butifyoureallywanttodancewithmeyoucanhavethisone.It'saboutallI'vegotleft."Shetookhisarmwithasmallproprietarygesture,andsmiledatVictor."I'msorry,Mr.Swann.PerhapsGinawillsitoutwithyou.She'srathergoodatit.Don'tforget,Gina,everyone'stobeintheballroomattwelveo'clock.There'saNewYearsurprise."
ShelefttheroomwithEvan,andVictorstoodgrinningdownatGina.
"Shame,Gina!Snatchingthepoorlittlegirl'syoungman,"hesaidponderously."Ishouldneverhavethoughtyouhaditinyou.NowonderlittleNancydoesn'tloveyou."
"Shallwegobacktotheballroom?"askedGinastiffly.
"Where'syourhurry?"hereturned,plantinghimselfinthedoorway."What'swrongwithhavingalittlerestuphere?It'shotdownstairswithallthosepeopleandflowersandcentralheating."
"Verywell."Shesatdownatonceandstaredinfrontofher.
"Oh,come!Youmightmakeyourselfalittlepleasant,"heprotested."YoulookedunbendingenoughwithyoungHunterwhenwecamein.Ibetyoudidn'tmindakissortwofromhim."
"I'mnotinthehabitofkissingmenatall,"saidGinaicily.
"Ithoughtnot.Thesoonerthatstateofaffairsisremedied,thebetter,mydear.I'mnotreallyrepulsive,youknow."
Beforeshehadtimetoresist,hehadpulledhertoherfeetandhadkissedherswiftlyonthelips.
"There!Thatwasn'tsobad,wasit?"hesaidwithquitegenuineconcern.
Shestoodlookingathim,draggingthebackofherhandacrosshermouth."Ithinkyou'rethemostloathesomeindividualI'veeverhadthemisfortunetomeet,"shesaidinaclear,bitingvoice.
Acuriousexpressionpassedacrosshisfloridface."Youlookgrandinatemper,Red-Head!"hesaid,quiteun-disturbed,andsheranoutoftheroomandlefthim.
Asshewentdownthestairs,theheavyatmosphererosetomeetherinstupefyingclouds.Thescentoftheflowersmadeherfeelalittlefaint.ShefoundSebastianlookinglostandillateaseinhisnewtail-coat,andsaidurgently:
"Beadear,andcomebackinthecarwithme,andthenbringitbackhere.I'mdyingtogohome."
"Feelingqueer?"
"Abit.It'sthisghastlyatmosphereand—"ShehadasuddenquiteunaccountableimpressionofMarkleftaloneinthehouse,whiletheyallenjoyedthemselvesathisexpense.
"Rightyouare,Ginny!I'mboredtotearsmyself.Ithinkit'sagod-awfulparty,butthenInevercouldbeardances.Comeon."
Sebastian,delighted,pushedhiswaythroughthecrowd,andGinamanagedtofetchhercoatwithoutbeingtooconspicuous,andtheyescapedunobtrusivelyintothefrostynight.Ithadbeguntosnow'againsincetheyhadfirstarrived,andthesoftflakesstungtheirhotfaceswithanicytouchastheylookedfortheircar.Theyextricateditfromtheotherswithsomedifficulty,thenGinatookthewheelandtheyturnedtheirbackshappilyuponthePrattmansion.
IV
Markdidn'thearthefrontdooropenandclose.Itwasthesoundofhisowndoor-handleturningwhichmadehimlookupfromhisbooktoseeGinastandingonthe
threshold.
"Backalready?"heexclaimed,glancingathiswatch."Why,itisn'televenyet!"
Shestoodtherelookingathimwithacuriousexpressiononherface.
"Areyou'alone?Wherearetheothers?"
"Yes,I'malone.Doyoumind?Sebastiantookthecarback,"shesaidslowly.Shecameintotheroom,shuttingthedoorquietlybehindher,andwentovertothefire."Mayn'tIhaveapartywithyou?"sheaskedmeekly.
"Ofcourse,mydear.I'mdelightedtohaveyou.Butweren'tyouenjoyingyourself?"hesaid,looking'alittlepuzzled.
"Notverymuch.Besides,we'dleftyouhereallalone."
"Wasthatyourreasonforreturning?"
"Partly.NooneshouldbealoneonNewYear'sNight."Shekneltdownontherug,andheramberskirtsbilloweddelicatelyaroundher.
Hestoodwatchingher,tryingtoreadhergravelittleprofile."Thatwasperfectlycharmingofyou,"hesaidthen."Butyou'refullofcharminggesturestowardsme,Gina."
Shesmiled."Notalways."Sheturnedround'abruptlytofacehim,thecornersofhermouthtiltedinsuddensweetness."Iamfriends,Mark,"shesaid,andwaitedalittleexpectantly.
"Blessyou,youfunnychild!"hesaidaffectionately,'andpulledachairupclosetoher."Isupposeyou'veleftshoalsofdisconsolateyoungmenbehindyou."
"Notshoals,"shesaid,andtossedhimherprogramme.
Heraisedhiseyebrowsinterrogativelyashelookedatit.Therewereafewillegibleinitialsattheend,butEvan'ssignaturewasscrawledrightacrossthefirsthalf.
"Didyouquarrel?Isthatwhyyoucamehome?"heasked,andtherewasaslightstraininhisvoicewhichshedidn'tnotice.
Shelaughed,andshookherglowinghead."No.Itoldyouoneofthereasons.Well—?Aren'tyougoingtoaskmeifI'mgoingtomarryEvan?Everyonedoes."
"MeaningJulie?"
Shenodded,andwatchedhimalittleanxiously.
"MayIaskyouifyoulovehim?"Marksaiddiffidently.
Hergreeneyesnarrowedwithsuddenmirth."Oh,Mark,youarepriceless!"shecried."Noonehasbothereduptillnowtoinquireintothatsideoftheaffair,andiftheydid,I'msuretheywouldn'thaveyourfinerfeelings."
Mark,wonderingifhehadbeenratherpompous,saidseriously,"Butnoonehasarighttopry,Ginadear.Thatsortofconfidenceshouldbegivenfreelyornotatall."
"Howniceyouare!Well,whatdoyouwantmetotellyou?ThatI'mdeliriouslyinlovewithEvan?"
"Areyou?"hesaid,evadingherquestion.
Shethoughtamoment,thengaveaslightshrug."Idon'tknow.No—notdeliriously.Butif—Idon'tknow."
"Hasheaskedyoutomarryhim?"
"No.Buthewantsto."
"Andyouwanttoaccepthim?"
"Well—I'vegottomarrysomebody,andEvanissoheavenlytolookat.Thatoughttobeagreathelpinmarriage."
"Nohelpatall,"herepliedshortly."Nowlistentome,Gina.Don'tletyourselfberushedintomarriagebecauseJuliewishesit.Shehaswrongideasaltogether.Besides,you'rebothveryyoung.Doyoureallythinkthatyoungmanwouldsatisfyyouforlong?"
"Well,ofcourse,that'stheonedoubt,"shesaidseriously."SebastianalwaystoldmethatIwouldn'tattractveryyoungmen,butIdon'tknow—it'sallverydifficult.ButMark"—sheturnedagravefacetowardshim—"Idoappreciatethatyoucan'tsupportmeforever."
"DidJulietellyouthattoo?"Therewasacuriousexpressioninhisgreyeyes.
"Sheneedn'treallyhavebothered,"Ginasaidalittleruefully."Ihaveplentyofperceptionreally."
"Fartoomuch,"heexclaimed,andtherewasanedgetohisvoice."Gina—"heleantforward,studyingherupturnedface"—can'tyoueverforgetthiswretchedassociationofmoneybetweenus?Iunderstandyoursensitivenessaboutit,andalthoughIthinkyouhaveaveryexaggeratedideaofthesituation,Ilikethatinyou.ButIoftenwishyouhadmoreofSebastian'scasualspirittowardsmoney."
"Perhapsthat'swhyI'mlikethis,"shesaidinalowvoice.
"Well,mydear,willyoupleaselistentomeveryseriouslywhenIaskyouneverto
doanythingsoincrediblyfoolhardyastomarryanymanforthesakeofrelievingmeofwhatyouchoosetocallaburden.Payno'attentiontoJulie.Shedoesn'talwaysactforthebest.Doyouunderstand?"
Shenodded."Um.ButIdolikeEvan,anyhow."
Heleantbackinhischairagain."That'sanothermatter,ofcourse,"hesaidalittlewearily."Butifyou'rereallyserious,youmustwaituntilhehasfinishedwithCambridge.Histime'snearlyuptherenow,andhemustgetstartedproperlyinhisprofessionbeforehecanthinkofmarrying."
Shesatbackonherheelsinthecircleoffirelight,andlookedathimtenderly.
"You'readear,Judge,"shesaidslowly."AndtothinktherewasatimewhenIdidn'tlikeyou!"
"Soyouadmititnow!"
"Yes.ButIdidn'tknowyouthen.Ithinkyou'reafrightfullybigperson."Shebentforwardwithaswiftsuddenmovement,andtakingoneofhishands,broughtitimpulsivelytoherlips.Shefelthimtremble,thenstiffen,andshedrewbackalittleashamed."I'msorry,"shewhispered.
"Sorry!"Hisarminstinctivelywentroundhershoulders,andhepressedhertohimgently."Itoldyoubefore,Gina,youarefullofcharminggesturestowardsme."
Hejusttouchedthetopofherheadwithhislips,and,'asonthatfirstandonlyoccasion,sheflungherarmsroundhisnecklikeachild,andkissedhimback.Butthistime,nosoonerhadshedoneitthanshesprangtoherfeet,andwaveuponwaveofbrilliantcolourfloodedherface.Shethoughtshewouldneverstopblushing,andMark,afterwatchingalittlecuriously,hadtolaugh.
Totideoverherembarrassment,hesuggestedthattheyshouldhaveasupper-partybythefiretoseeintheNewYeartogether.
"Likelasttime—withchampagne?"shecriedwithpleasure.
"Withchampagne,youlittletippler!"hesaid,andtheywentouttothekitchenquarterstorummageforfood.
Alltheservantswereout,andtheymadehavocwithSweeny'sneatpantry,tryingtofindplatesandglasses.Ginalaidasmalltableinthestudy,whileMarkwentdowntothecellartofetchthewine.
Markuncorkedthechampagnewithaflourish,andtheysatdowntotheirsupper.GinahadlightedcandlesinoldGeorgiancandlesticks,'andhadevenfoundtheremainsoftheChristmascrackerswithwhichtomakethetablegay.Attwelveo'clocktheytoastedeachotheranddranktothecomingyear,whilethevillagebellssuddenlypealed
outinthesnowynight.
"Allgoodthingstoyou,Gina!"Marksaid,raisinghisglass.
"Andtoyou,"shereplied."Ihopeyougetyourdearestwish."
Shethoughthelookedatheralittleoddlyovertherimofhisglass.
"Mydearestwishissoboundupwithyouthatitmaynotbewiseformetogetit,"hesaidcrypticallywhenhehaddrunkthetoast.
"Ifit'sanythingIcangiveyou,Mark"shebeganeagerly.
"Perhapsoneday,"hesaidwithasmile,andheldacrackerouttoher.
Byoneo'clock,Gina,curleduponthefloorbyMark'schair,haddroppedtosleep,herheadagainsthisknee.Heknewheoughttowakeherandsendheruptobed,butthepleasureofhavinghernearhimwastoogreat.Hesatwatchingthefirelightplayonthetumbledhairwhichhalfhidhersleepingface,andwonderedaboutthefuture.
Julie,cominginalittlelater,stoodinthedoorwayandtookinthescenewithaslowdeliberategaze.Shesawthepushed-backtable,withitsstillburningcandles,andthelitterofsoiledplatesandgaily-colouredcrackerpapers;Gina,abruptlyawakened,andstrugglingintoalessintimateposition;andJulie'smouthcurvedinasmilethatwasnotamused.
"Quitealittleparty,"shesaidwithadrawl,andcameintotheroom."PolRoger,too.Evidentlyanoccasion."
"Wouldn'tyoucalltheNewYearanoccasion?"askedMarkpleasantly,risingtohisfeet.
"Don'tyouthinkitwasalittleoddtogooffasyoudid,Ginadear?"shesaidsoftly,ignoringMarkandfixingherdarkeyesonherstepdaughter."Evanwaslookingforyoueverywhere,anditwasratherrudetothePratts."
"Theywouldn'tnotice,"mumbledGinauncomfortably.
Julieliftedoneshoulderdelicately."Ifyouweretired,mydear,youshouldhavegonestraighttobed.Youshouldn'thavekeptMarkuplikethis.ButI'msureyouneverthoughtaboutit,didyou?"
Shebecameawareofherbrother'ssteadygaze,andturnedtotheothers,whohadcomeinwithher."Weneedn'thavebothered,"shesaid."Ginacouldevidentlytakegoodcareofherself."
"Whataperfectlylovelyidea!"saidPhilippagaily."Wasityours,Mark?OfcoursetheyhadtoseetheNewYearintheproperstyle.Incidentally,ahappyNewYeartoyou
both,"shesmiledatMarkandGina,whoreturnedhergreetingwithrelief.
GinawasconsciousofVictor'ssteadygaze,andpresentlyhesaidwithaslowsmile:
"Youlittledarkhorse,Gina!Ialwayssuspectedit."
Noone,fortunately,askedhimwhathemeant,andGinapretendednottohear.Sebastian,whowasalreadyeatinguptheremainsofatrifle,saidindignantly:
"Ifyou'dtoldmeyouandtheJudgeweregoingtoflingaparty,Iwouldn'thavegonebacktothatmonkey-house.Ofallsillypastimes,dancingtakestheprize!Itwasagodawfulshow!"
"Gina,runalongtobednow,"Juliesaid."Mark,youlooktired.Yououghttohavegonetobedlongago.Victor,willyougetyourselfandElliotawhiskyandsoda?—Phil—somelemonade?No?Wellthen,Ithinkbedforusall."
Havingdeftlydealtwithherentirehousehold,JuliegavealastglanceroundMark'sratherdebauched-lookingstudy,and,withsuddenlycompressedlips,ledthewayoutoftheroom.
CHAPTERX
I
DURINGthenextfewdays,JuliekeptcarefulwatchofallGina'sactions.ShehadbeenmuchdisturbedbywhatshehadwitnessedonNewYear'sNight.Shehadalways
knownthatMarkwasmorethanordinarilyinterestedinthegirl,althoughshehadneverletherselfthinkhowdeephisinterestmightreallygo.ShewantedtogetGinamarried,butnottoMark.Shewasfondofherbrother,andherpossessiveinstinctreachedouttohimasithadtoGina'sfather.ThechildhadunconsciouslystoodbetweenDenisandherself.ShewouldneverconsciouslystandbetweenherselfandMark.InVictor'scaseshestilldeterminedtobeblind.Itwasnecessarytosaveherownpride.
ShewouldnevershowVictorthatshewasjealousofherownstepdaughter,and,solongasnooneelseknewitcither,shecaredlittlewhatGinamightsuffer.
JulieencouragedEvantocometothehouseasoftenasheliked.ShenevermadethemistakeofaskingGinahowtheaffairwasprogressing,butshegaveEvaneveryopportunity,knowingwellthatGinawouldnotappealtoallmen.
GinaallowedherselftobemonopolizedbyEvan,chieflytoescapetherenewedattentionsofSwann,who,sinceNewYear'sNight,hadfranklyreturnedtotheattack.HepesteredherwheneverMarkwasoutofsight,andmadeherlifeunbearableincountlesslittlesubtleways.TherewasagreatdealthatwassadisticinVictor,andwherehisowninterestwasarousedwithoutreciprocation,hisattentionshadaveinofcrueltyinthem.HewasbothirritatedandattractedbyGina'sfearofhim.HewasfindingJulie'sguestsasboringastheyfoundhim,andheconsideredGinaalittledevilwhoknewmorethanshepretended,whowasquitereadytoaccommodateMarkwhenshewouldn'taccommodatehim.Victorwasalwaysinsensitive.Itwasthecauseofhalfhisvulgarity.
OnJanuarythe4th,thedateofthecharityball,thethawstarted.
"Itwould,ofcourse,"said.Sebastian,cominginattea-timefromgivingtheSouthernBelleroadexercise."Theroadswillbelikeglasstonight.WeshallhaveajollydrivetoEastcliff."
"Andyouwon'tbeatthewheel,"saidMark,whowasjustleavingtheroom."YouandGinaaretheworstdriversIknow."
"Allright,wedon'tmind,"saidSebastiangood-temperedly,andflunghimselfintoachairwiththelatestdetectivestory.
Philippawanderedinandout,collectingherbelongings.Sheandherhusbandwereleavingtomorrow;Victorwasgoingintwodaystime.
"Iwishyouweren'tgoing,"saidGinadespondently.ShefoundPhilippa'spresenceinthehouseadistinctrelief.
"SodoI,mysweet.Butwecan'tstopforever,unfortunately,"shereplied."Howmanydancesareyougivingyourbeautonight,Gina?"
"D'youmeanEvan?"saidGinawithasmile."IsaidI'dtellhimwhenIgotthere."
"Howwise.Ibelieveyouhavetechniqueafterall."
"What'sthat?"
"Don'tyouknow?Well,nevermind.Perhapsyouhaven't."
"WheredidElliotproposetoyou?"askedGinainterestedly.
Philippapausedinherwanderingsandclaspedawork-baskettoherbosomwithanecstaticgesture."Onanis-landinthemiddleofPiccadilly.Hehadacoldinhishead,"shesaidfondly.
"Ohno,Philippa!"Ginalookeddisappointed."Ithought'atleastaconservatoryandmusicoff."
"Darling,youhavesuchold-fashionedideas.Eveninmyyoungdays—"
"Well,I'veonlyhadoneproposalinmylife.Idon'tknowhowit'sdone,"saidGinaconversationally.
"Andyou'reexpectinganothertonight—intheconservatory—withmusicoff?Whataheavenlyblush,Gina.Youareold-fashioned!"Philippaexclaimed."Areyougoingtoaccepthim?Dotellme—justme."
"Iprobablywon'tbegivenachance,"Ginareplied.
Theywentoffintwocars,watchedgleefullyfromthefrontdoorbySebastian,whohadflatlyrefusedtofaceanotherdance.Theroadswereverybad,andMarkintheleadingcardrovecarefully.Presently,tiredofasteadypace,Victor'sBentleyroaredpast,andtherearlightwassoonseenfastdisappearingonahead.
"Iwishhewouldn'tplaythefoolwhentheroadsarelikethis,"Marksaidirritably."Heoughttorememberhe'sgotJuliewithhim."
GinadancedprincipallywithEvan,whowasoneoftheirparty,andPhilippa,whosatoutagooddealwithMark,watchedthemwithinterest.
"AreGinaandyoungHuntergoingtomakeamatchofit?"ElliotCareyaskedonce,andMarksaidquickly:
"Whyshouldyouthinkso?"
"Well,Ishouldhavethoughtitwasprettyobvious.He'sbeenhangingroundmostdevotedlyallthetimewe'vebeenhere,andshelooksasifshelikeshimallright."
"Ithinkitwouldbeaverysuitablematch,"Juliesaidcomposedly."OfcourseEvanwouldhavetowaituntilhecamedownfromCambridge,butthatwon'tbelongnow."
"Areyouserious,Julie?"askedMark.
"But,Mark,youalwaysknewIhopedtheywouldmarry,"saidJuliegently."Evanwillhavemoneyeventually,andtheHuntersareverynicepeople.Ginaisn'teverybody'schoice,youknow."
"Ithinkshe'sdamnedattractive,"saidCareyfrankly."ThatPrattgirlcan'tholdacandletoher,inspiteofherlooks."
"Attractive?Gina?"exclaimedJuliewithrealsurprise."Yes,perhapssheisinaqueersortofway.ButIrepeat,sheisn'teverybody'schoice."
Marksaidnothing,andPhilipparemarkedthoughtfully,"Ithinkperhapsit'sapitytopushherontoanyone'asyoungasEvanHunter.Ginastrikesmeasagirlwho'dbehappierwithsomeoneratherolder."
Julieglancedathersharply."Howabsurdyouare,Phil,"shesaidquickly."You'llsayshe'sagirlwhoneedsunderstandingnext."
"Yes,Ithinkshedoes,"saidPhilippaquietly,andMarkgotupwithanabruptimpatientgestureandwalkedawaytothebar.
"Julie,you'reratherfoolish,mydear,"Philippasaidsoftly.
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"You'reafraidofMarkmarryingGina,aren'tyou?"
"Phil!"Juliepreparedtobluster,thengaveinwithashrug."Yes,IsupposeIam,"shesaid."Mark'sattheagewhenheoughttomarry.Forsomanyyearshecouldn'taffordto,andwhenhecouldhedidn'twantto.Imaynotalwayskeephouseforhim.Heoughttomarry,butnotGina.Whathappinesswouldhefindthere?"
"Mydear,whatrighthaveyoutopresumehewouldn'tbehappywithGina?"Philippaasked."Ithinktheywouldbothbehappy,whichisbetterthanonlyMarkbeinghappy,don'tyouthink?It'sfoolishtoletyourowndislikeblindyoutoeverythingelse."
"Itisn'tpuredislike,"Juliereturned."Butitwouldn'tbesuitable,Phil.MarkisyearsolderthanGina—he'sadifferentgeneration.Shecouldn'tsatisfyhim."
"Youdon'tlookveryfar,Julie,oryou'dhaveseenthatGinaismuchnearerMark'sgenerationthanherown."
Julieflashedheratroubledlook."Iwonderifthat'strue,"shesaidalmostunderherbreath,thenaddeddefiantly,"Anyway,there'sEvantocontendwith."
"Perhaps,"saidPhilippa,smilingalittlecryptically."ButyoumakeagreatmistakeintakingtheattitudeyoudowithMark.There'ssuchathingasputtingideasintoaperson'shead,youknow."ShewatchedJuliealittlemischievouslyoutofthetailofher
eye,andwasamusedtoseeherbiteherlipshard.PoorJulie,shethoughtcompassionately.Shewassomuchherownenemy.
II
GinahaddancedeightconsecutivedanceswithEvan,withoutbeingawarethatshehadcuttwoshehadpromisedtositoutwithMark.
Shewas,forthemoment,blissfullyhappywithEvan,onlyawarethattheirstepsmatchedperfectly,theirdancingwasnotmarredbytrivialconversation,andhisyoungfacesonearherownwashandsomerthanever.Sheknewthatlaterhewouldtakehersomewherequiettositout,andthenofcoursehewouldpropose,ashesonearlyhadonNewYear'sEve.Shewasunconsciouslywhippingherselfintoastateofexpectation,andwhenatlasthesaidquietly,"Shallwegoandsitdownnow?"shefeltsuddenlydeliriouslynervous.
Theyfoundaquietcornerawayfromtheballroom,andlookingdownthecorridor,Ginaspiedasmallconservatory.
"Oh!"Shegavealittlegasp,thenseizedEvan'shand."Willyou—doyoumindifwegointhere?"sheasked.
"It'llbeabithot,won'tit?Butjustasyoulike,"hereturned,andtheywentinsideandsatdownontwohardlittlechairsamongsomedustyferns.Theycouldjusthearthehandplayinginthedistance,andsuddenlyfeltveryshyandalone.
"Areyouenjoyingit?"askedEvan.
"Yes.Areyou?"
"Yes.Toomanypeople."
"Notuphere."
"No,butwe'llhavetogoback.Gina—IwishIcouldhaveyouquitealonealltomyself.Ihateothermenlookingatyou."
"DarlingEvan,why?"
"Youknowwhy."
"DoI?"
"Ofcourseyoudo.Gina—IwantedtotellyouonNewYear'sEve,butyouwouldn'tletme,andthenyouranawaybecauseIhadtogooffanddancewithNancy."
Ginaburstintoapealoflaughter."Oh,Evan!DidyoureallythinkthatwaswhyIwenthome?"
"Well,wasn'tit?"heaskedsimply.
"No—ofcoursenot.Howsillyyouare!"shesaid,andknewinstantlyitwasthewronganswer.
"Oh!Ithoughtyouhadmindedthat."
"ShouldIhave?"sheinquired,andrealizedthathewasyoungenoughtohavewantedhertobejealousofNancy."I'msorry,Evan,butthatreallywasn'tthereason."
"Oh!"hesaidagain,andseemedatalosshowtoproceed.
"YouknowIshallhequitedecentlyoff—Imean,when
theoldbirdsgo"heburstoutsuddenly."Well,you
know,Gina,Ihaveprospectsandallthat."
"Evan,whydon'tyousayitstraightout?"shesaidaffectionately,andlookedathim,hergreeneyesaslant.
Hegavealittleself-consciouslaughandsaid,"IfyouknowwhatTwant,can'tyouhelpmeout?"
"You'resofrightfullymodernaboutit."Shesighedandlookedroundattheferns.
"Oh,well,it'ssodifficult—Gina—oh,darling,you'resolovely,Ican'treallythinkofanythingelse,"hecriedsuddenly."Iloveyou,Gina.Iloveyouterribly.Darling—"
Hepulledhertoherfeet,anddraggedherintohisarmswitharough,boyishgesture.Sheyieldedtohimwithoutastruggleandfelthiswarmyounglipspressedhardtohers.
Longbeforehereleasedhersheknewshecouldneverlovehim,andshewasconsciousofafloodofbitterdisappointment.Automaticallyshereturnedhiskiss,and,asshedidso,sherememberedwithavividsenseofshockthekissshehadgiventoMarkonNewYear'sEve.
"Darling...youdoloveme...mydear...mydearest..."Evanwasmurmuring
aboveherhead,andshepushedhimaway."Gina,you'reshy!"heexclaimed.Hiseyeswereveryblueinhisflushedface,andhebegantostraightenhistiealittlenervously"DoIhavetointer-viewMrs.GaleorProctor?Mrs.Gale,Isuppose—Darling,wewon'tbeabletobemarriedforsometime.Shallyoumind?"
"Evan—listen."
Shefeltherselfbegintoshake.Thiswashorrible!Howdidonemanagetogettoanemotionalpitchofthiskindwhenallthetimeitcouldleadtonothing?
"Thisisallamistake.Youmustn'tgoon."
"Amistake?Whatonearthdoyoumean,darling?"Hesoundedincredulous,almostamused.
"Evan—Idon'tloveyou—notenoughtomarryyou,"shesaidbravely.
Helookedbewildered,thenhorrified."Doyoumeantotellmethatyounevermeantathingallthistime?"hecried."Thatyouledmeonjustforthefunofseeingmemakeafoolofmyself?"
"No,no.Iwasseriousallthetime—untilthisverymomentIthinkIwantedtomarryyou.Butcan'tyouunderstandhowdifficultitistoknowwhenoneisjustrunningroundtogether?"shepleaded.
"No,"hereturnedharshly."Ican't.Iknew—allthetime."
"Butyouweresure.That'sthewholething.Iwasneversure,andIwantedtofindout.If—ifyou'dkissedmebefore,Evan,Iwouldhaveknown."
"Isthatallyouwanted?Theusualkissingandmessingabout?Ithoughtyouweredifferent."
"Please—youmusttryandbelievethatI'mloathingallthis.Ihatetoletyoudown.1.likeyouterribly,butthatisn'tenoughformarriage.Ithoughtquitehonestlythat.ICouldeasilyfallinlovewithyou,butIknownowIcouldn't.Surelyit'smuchbettertosayso?"
"Ifyoucouldonlyhaveknownbefore—"
Inthemidstofherdistress,Ginaalmostsmiled.Hewassoyoung.Hispridewashurt,almostmorethanhisheart.
"I'mtoooldforyou,really,"shesaidinvoluntarily,butheonlystaredatherstupidly.
"Listen,Evan,"shesaidgently."I'veeveryreasonbutoneformarryingyou.Juliewishesitandwouldhavemadethingseasyforus.IbadlywanttorelieveMarkofmykeep,soIwaswillingenough,andIlikeyouenormously.Itwouldhavebeenquiteeasy
tohaveacceptedyouandletyouthinkIlovedyou,butitwouldn'thavebeenhonest.Ilikeyoutoomuchtomakeuseofyou.Wouldn'tyoureallyratherhaveitthisway?"
Hewassilent,lookingawayfromher,wretchedandembarrassed."Idon'tknow—Idon'tknow,"hesaidmiserably.
"Youwereattractedtomemuchtoosuddenly,"shewentonearnestly."ItwasonlybecauseI'dgrownup,andlookedmorepresentable.Me—therealmewasalwaysthere,butyoudidn'tfindittillIhadsomeprettyclothes.Soyousee,Idon'tthinkIwouldnecessarilyalwaysattractyou.LateronyouwouldpreferpeoplelikeNancyPratt—"
"LeaveNancyalone,"hesaidwithaviolencethatstartledher."She'saverynicegirl."
"Very,"saidGina,feelingalittledazed.
"Youalwayshadadownonher.Isupposeyouwerejealous,tillIturnedherdownforyou."
"Didyouturnherdownforme?"
"Well,notexactly,butifyouhadn'tcroppedupwhenyoudid—"
Ginagigglednervously."Itsoundslikeaweedorsomething,"shesaid."I'mawfullysorry,Evan.Iseemtohavebeenabitofanerrorallround."Shehadaterriblefeelingthatshewasgoingtoburstoutlaughing,andheronedesirewastogetoutofthestuffyconservatory,andawayfromEvan.
"Nancy'sveryfondofyou,"shesaidirrelevantly."Evan,I'mterriblysorryaboutallthis.Pleaseforgivemefor—forleadingyouon.Ididn'tmeanittobejustthat.I—IthinkI'llgonow.G-good-bye."
Shelefthimabruptlyandfleddownthecorridor,andintotheladies'cloak-room,whereshelaughedoutloud,longandhysterically.
"Somuchformybeautifulconservatoryproposal!"shegaspedtoherreflectioninthemirror,"AnislandinPiccadillywouldhavebeenfarbetter!"
III
Ginawentbacktoherownparty.Thiswasgoingtoberatherawkward,sinceEvanwasoneoftheirnumber,butatpresenthewasnowheretobeseen.JuliewasdancingwithVictor,andasGinasatdownbesideMark,theCareysmovedawaytogether.
"WhathaveyoudonewithyoungHunter?"Markaskedalittleshortly.
"Oh,he'ssomewhereabout,"saidGinauncomfortably.Markwaslookingrathersevere,andshefeltunaccountablyshyofhim.
Theywatchedthedancinginsilenceforalittlewhile,thenMarksaid:
"JulieandtheCareyswanttogoearly.You'llbeallrightwithEvanandSwann,onlydon'tlethimscorchonthoseroads."
Ginaturnedadismayedfacetohim."MetogobackwiththeSwannandEvan?"sheexclaimed."Oh,Mark,Icouldn't.I'llcomewithyou."
"I'mafraidtherewon'tberoom.Weshallbesixasitis,andwe'retakingbacktheNeills.Why?HaveyouquarreledwithEvan?"
"Notexactly."Shelookedunhappy,buthewasn'tgoingtogiveheranyhelp."Mustyougoearly?Aren'tyouenjoyingit?"
Heglancedatheralittlecuriously."Notparticularly.Butifyouremember,Inevermuchwantedtocome.Ithinkitwasyouwhopersuadedme."Therewassome-thinginhisvoicethatshedidn'tquiteunderstand,andhesaidwithasmile,"Youtoldmethatyouconsideredsit-ting-outtobehalfthefun.Anyway,youseemtoenjoyit."
Thebloodrushedtohercheeks,andshedivedforherprogramme."Ourdances!"sheexclaimed."HaveIcutRem?"
"Onlyfour,"hesaiddryly.
"Oh!"
Shewasterriblydistressed.Markhadcometonightprincipallybecauseshehadaskedhimto.Sherememberedhimsaying:"WillyousitoutwithmeifIdo?"Andherquickreply:"I'dsitouteverydancewithyouifitwouldgiveyoupleasure."
"I'mterriblysorry!Iforgotallaboutit,trulyIdid."
"Obviously!"
"Imean,Ididn'tcutthemonpurpose.Ijustforgot."
"Youwereverymuchotherwiseengaged,weren'tyou,Gina?"hesaidkindly,butthewordsstungher,soreasshealreadywas."Nevermind,mydear.Whenyou'reoutofthingsasmuchasIhavetobe,youbecomeresignedtobeingpassedoverinthe
end."
Shediscoveredforthefirsttimethathecouldhurther.Shesatbesidehimmiserablysilent,longingtoburstintotears.Hemadenofurtherefforttohelpherout,andtheysatspeechlessuntilsomeonecameandaskedherforadance.
Itwasnearlyoneo'clockwhenMarkcametofindhertosaytheyweregoing.
"Swann'squitereadytogohimself,"hetoldher,"soyouwon'tbelongafterus.Ican'tfindEvan,butwillyoutellhim?"
NeithercouldGinafindEvan,andfinallysheranintoVictor,whosaidcasually:
"Hunterwentabouthalfanhourago.ThePrattsgavehimalift."
"Thenthere'sjustyouandmeleft?"
"Justthetwoofus.We'llhaveanicelittlerunhomeallonourown,"hesaidpleasantly.
Ginafeltwretched.Everythinghadgonewrongtonight,andshedidn'tlookforwardtoalongdrivewithVictorassolecompanion.
"Whendoyouwanttostart?"sheasked.
"Oh,there'snohurry.Comeandhaveadancefirst.I'vehardlyseenyoualltheevening.Sotakenupwiththathandsomeyoungfellow,weren'tyou?Andwhat,mightoneask,ishedoinggoinghomewiththelovelyMissPrattandleavinghispoorlittlepartnertothetendermerciesoftheogre?"
"Oh,don'tbesillierthanyoucanhelp,"saidGinawearily,andpreparedtodancewithhim.
Whenthemusicstopped,hesaidtheymightthinkaboutgoing.
"Yourunalongandgetyourthings,andwaitformeinthelounge.I'mgoingtohaveaquickonebeforewego."
"Thebarwillbeclosed.It'safterhours,"Ginasaid.Hehadalreadyhadasmuchaswasgoodforhim.
"Don'tyouworry,mydear.Bye-bye—seeyoulater."
Shehadbeensittinginthedraughtyloungefornearlyhalfanhourwhenhefinallyappeared,nottoosteadyonhislegs,andhisarmthroughthatofastrangeman.
"ThisisoldBingoBanks,"hesaidexpansively."Wekneweachotherintheolddays.Fancymeetinghimhere!Wehadsometimestogether,didn'twe,Bingo,old
man?"
"Goodtimes,oldboy,"saidMr.Bankssolemnly.
"SwannyisoneofthebestMiss—Miss—yes,wellasIwassaying,oldboy—"
Theystoodtalkingaimlesslyaboutolddays,andslappingeachotherontheback.IteventuallyappearedthattheyweretogiveMr.Banksaliftontheway.HewasstayingatasmallhotelbetweenEastcliffandWesthamStreet,andhadgotseparatedfromtherestofhisparty.TheyallthreepackedintothefrontseatsoftheBentley,Ginasqueezedbetweenthetwomen.
Theroadswereslippery,andVictor,drivingwithhisusualdashingcarelessness,hadmanyskidswhichsentGina'sheartintohermonth.Finallyshebecameresigned.iftheyweregoingtobekilled,theywouldbe,and,any-
way,itwasafittingendtotheevening.
TheyarrivedwithoutmishapatMr.Banks'hotel,andinvitedthemin.
"Justanotherlittledrinktocheeryouonyourway.Gotplentyupstairs,"hesaidpersuasively.
"Idon'tthink—"beganGina,butVictorcuthershort.
"Oh,comeon,Gina.Wewon'tbelong.Icoulddowithsomething."
Ginagotoutofthecarwithresignation,andfollowedthetwomenin.
Theplacewasindarkness,andwhenMr.Banksfumbledforthelights,shesawthatitwasasmallcountryhotelofthesportingtype.Everythingwasveryplainandugly,andthewallswerehungwiththemasksandbrushesoffoxes,andstuffedfishinglasscases.
Ginasatdownononeoftheredplushchairs."I'llwaitforyouhere,"shesaid.
"Ohno,thatwouldn'tdoatall,"saidMr.Banksinscandalizedaccents."Supposinganyonecamedown,andfoundyousittingallaloneinthehallathalf-pastone!Thatwouldneverdo,oldboy—MissGale,Imean."
Throughpastexperiencewithherfather,Ginahadlongagolearntthatitwaseasiertoagreewithaslightlydrunkmanthantoargue,soshegotupagain,andfollowedthemupthedarkstairs.
Mr.Bankshadasmallprivatesitting-roomwithabed-roomopeningoff,andhereagaineverythingwasveryplainandugly.
"Sorrythere'snofire—bitlateyouknow,"heapologized.Allhisglassesappeared
tobedirtyandstoodinasordidcollectiononthesideboardwithvariousemptybottles.Butheeventuallyunearthedsometumblersandabottleofwhisky,andtheysatdownonmoreredplushchairs.
Victorwasjustbeginningtoenjoyhimself.Gina'sreluctanceenchantedhim.Hecouldbaitherasmuchasheliked;shecouldn'trunawayfromhimnow.
"Enjoyingyourself,Gina?"heaskedher.
"Notparticularly,"shesaidshortly.
"Oh!How'sthat?WithtwoattentiveadmirerslikeBingoandmyselfatyourdisposal.Perhapsyou'rehankeringafteryourdefaultingyoungman?"
Ginasaidnothing.
"Sulkynow!Thatwasalwaysyourpetdefence.Well,youmustn'tbeasulkygirlwithme.Idon'tlikeit,andImighthavetopunishyouforit."
Forthefirsttimeshelookedafraid.Victorsawitandsettleddowntohisgame.
"I'mratherfondofourlittlefriend,"hesaidtoMr.Banksandspeakingwithalcoholicsolemnity."Andsheshouldbefondofme,butforsomereasonsheprefersmygoodhost.DidyouhaveajollypartyallalonewithProctorNewYear'sEve,Gina?Itwasjustaboutthishourtoo,andnooneinthehousebutyourselves."
"Isn'tittimewestartedback?"saidGinaquietly.
"Notsofast,mydear.Youwon'tgetoutofitthatway.ImustsayIfeltveryhurtthatyoushouldfavourProctorwhenyoupretendedtomethatyoucouldn'tbetouched.However,that'sallchangednow,isn'tit?Thisisagoodopportunitytomakeupourdifferences.Bingo,mydearchap,Iknowyouwouldliketobethemeansofbringingustogetheragain."Hewinkedathisfriend,whoeverreadytooblige,mistookthesignal,andrisingunsteadilytohisfeetsaid:
"Delighted,mydearoldboy."Hetuckedthebottleofwhiskyunderhisarm,andlefttheroomwithaparting,"Seeyoulater!"
AsGinasprangtoherfeet,sheheardthekeyturninthelock."Whatdidhedothatfor?"shecriedwildly.
Victorwatchedhercuriously."Hewasalittlequickinanticipatingmydesires,"hesaid."Itmustbeamisplacedsenseofhumourwhichmadehimlockthedoor.Nowweshallhavetostayheretillheletsusout."
"Well,we'dbettersitdownquietlyandwaittillyourimbecilefriendchoosestocomeback,"shesaidascalmlyasshecould.
Heplacedbothhandsonthedoorjamb,barringherway.Heprobablyhadnoveryrealintentionofhurtingher,butheenjoyedfrighteningher.
"Itseemsapitytowasteourtimesittingdownquietly,"hesaidslowly."Don'tyouthinkwecouldputittoabetteruse?"
Shebackedawayfromhim."Victor,ifyoutouchme—"shebegandesperately.
"Well?IfItouchedyou,whatwouldyoudo—alonewithmeinastrangehotelathalf-pastoneinthemorning?"hesaidconversationally.
Sheputbothhandsuptoher'achinghead."Oh,God,whatamItodo?"shesaid.
"I'lltellyou,shallI?JustbealittlebitnicetopooroldVictor,andthenwe'llallbefriends,"hesaid,andmovedtowardsher.
IV
Sebastianwasstillup,finishingPhilippa'sthriller,whenMarkandtheothersgothome.JuliewastiredandwentstraightuptobedwithPhilippa,whileMarkandCareyhaddrinksbeforetheyfinallyturnedin.Mark,however,eventuallydecidedtositupalittlelonger.HewasbeginningtoworryaboutVictor'sdrivingonthebadroadsandblaminghimselffornotinsistingthattheyallcamehometogether.
Itwasnearlyhalf-pastone,andMarksatdowntowait."Ihopethey'reallright,"hesaidseveraltimes,andattenminutestotwohegotupwithfinalityandannouncedthathewasgoingbacktomeetthem.
Withasigh,Sebastiantorehimselffromhisbook."Ithinkyou'rebatty,Judge.Theymayhavestoppedontilltheend,oranything.What'sthepointofsweatingallthatwayback?"hesaid,butMarkwasadamant.
"Swannsaidhewascomingatonce.Iknowhedidn'twanttostay—neitherdidGina.Idon'ttrusthisdrivingonthissortofnight,"hesaid,andwentouttofetchhiscoatandgloves.
"Well,ifyoumustgo,I'mcomingtoo,"Sebastiansaid,gettingtohisfeetandstretching."Allright,don'targue,Teacher,Imightbeuseful,andanyhowyou'llhavesome-onetotalkto."
Markgotoutthecaragain,andhavinggoneupstairstowarnJuliewherehewasgoing,hestartedbackalongtheEastcliffroad.
"Theymighteasilybestrandedifthey'dhadasmash,"hesaid."There'snotmuchtrafficaboutatthishour."
"TheSwann'smuchmorelikelytobeengagingpoorGinnyinaflirtationthanlyinginpiecesinthehedge,"Sebastianremarked.
"Whydoyousaythat?"askedMarksharply."Oh,well,youmusthavenoticed,Mark.TheSwann'salwayspesteringGinny.Isupposeit'sgenerallywhenyouaren'taround,though."
"HasGinabeenseriouslyworriedbythatman?"
Sebastianshrugged."Oh,she'squitecapableofcoping,"hesaidcheerfully."Shedoesn'ttellmemuch.She'safraidI'llsockhimone."
Markdroveoninsilenceforalittleway,thenhesaidsuddenly,"I'vebeenanawfulfool."
"Why?"
"Ioughttohaveknown."
"But,Judge,youdon'tthink—"
"Idon'tknowwhattothink,"saidMarkbrusquely.
"Well,youknow,Ialwaysthoughttherewassomethingveryfishyaboutthatweek-endtheSwannwashere,andGinnyhadthatawfuldust-upwithJulie,"Sebastiansaid.
"Whatwasthatrowabout?"
"Ineverknew.Ithoughtperhapsshe'dtoldyou.Buttherewassomethingfishyaboutthatnightbeforeyoucameback.Ialwaysthoughtso."
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Well,whenItookGinny'sbreakfasttoherinthemorningshe'dbarricadedherselfinwithachair.Shelookedlikedeathandsaidshehadn'tsleptawink."
"Whythehelldidn'tyoutellmethisatthetime?"saidMarkgrimly.
"Oh,well—Ididn'tknowanything.Thereseemedtobeenoughtroublealready,andIthoughtperhapsGinnymighthavetoldyou,anyway,"saidSebastianapologetically.
Theydrovenowincompletesilence,andsuddenlyMarkpulledupabruptlyand
pointedtoacarstandinginfrontofasmallhotel.
"There'stheBentley,"hesaid,andthoughtrapidlyforamoment.
Thiswasgoingtoberatherawkward.Hecouldn'trousethehotel'anddemandalistofitsguests,butatthesametimehedidn'tbelievethatGinawouldhavewillinglyaccompaniedSwanntoalonelyhotelatthishourofthenight.Besides,wherewasEvan?
Atthatmomentalightappearedinoneofthedownstairsrooms,andMarkgotout,andwentandtappedonthewindow.Presentlyitwaspushedup,andaman'sfaceappeared,flushedandsurprised-looking.
"Hullo,oldboy!Whatdoyouwant?"heaskedaffably.Hewasclearlyratherdrunk.
"Isthereanybodyelseintherewithyou?"demandedMark.
"Oh,no—I'mquitealone—infactI'mverylonely,oldboy,ifthetruthwereknown,"saidMr.Bankspathetically.
"Youdon'thappentoknowwheretheoccupantsofthisBentleyare,then?"
"ThatBentley?Whyofcourse,oldboy.Itbroughtmehome."Mr.Banksbegantolaugh."Verygoodjokethat.They'reupstairs,andwhatd'youthink?Ilockedthemin."
"Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,butdoyoumeanallthreeofthem?"saidMarkimpatiently.
"Three?Therewereonlytwo,oldboy,Isweartherewereonlytwo.SwannyandlittleMiss—Miss—"
"Gale?"
"Gale!That'sthename!Haughtylittlegirl—notmystyle.D'youknowher?"
"Nowlistentome,"saidMarkslowlyandimpressively."MissGaleisamemberofmyhousehold,andIamresponsibleforher.I'm.incidentallyalawyer,andifthere'sanytrouble,you'reforit.Willyoukindlycomeandletmeinwithoutanyfussandnoise,andexplainasclearlyasyoucanwhathashappened?"
Mr.Banks,suddenlyperceivingthedawnofamostunpleasantscandal,disappearedrapidlyfromthewindow,andinafewmomentshadunlockedthefrontdoor.Sebastian,whohadbeenlisteningwithhiseyesnearlyleavinghishead,preparedtofollowMarkin,buthewastoldcurtlytowaitoutside.
"Now,"saidMark.
Mr.Banksexplained,aswellashewas'able,protestingmanytimesthathehad
noideawhoGinawas.HehadtakenherforoneofSwann'smanyattachments.
"Allright.Nowkeepquiet,andgivemethekey.Thisthinghasgottobedealtwithwithoutascandal.Whichroomisit?"
"Firstontheleftatthetopofthestairs,"saidMr.Banks,andsatdownmiserablytowait.
Marktookthekeyand,feelingslightlysick,wentquietlyupthestairs.
Whenhefirstunlockedthedoor,hethoughttheroomwasempty,thenhesawVictorsittingsulkilyinacorner.
"Where'sGina?"heasked.
Victornoddedtowardsthebedroom."She'sinthere.Won'tcomeout,"hesaidautomatically,thensuddenlyrealizingwhoMarkwas,hegottohisfeetunsteadily,andwentratherwhite.
Thebedroomdoorwasflungopen,andGinastoodonthethreshold.Herhairwaswild,andshehadevidentlybeenweepingviolently.ShestaredatMarkindismay.Sheclearlyhadnotexpectedtoseehim,andherhandswentuptohermouth.Shewasunabletospeakoneword,butjuststoodandstaredathimtragically.
"Gina,"hesaidgently,andwentacrosstoher,and,puttinghisarmaroundher,ledhertothedoor."Godownstairsquietlyandwaitformeinthecar.You'llfindSebastianthere."
Whenshehadgone,MarkturnedtoVictor."Ifitwasn'tforGinaI'dhaveyouincourtforthis,"hesaid,controllinghimselfwithaneffort."Howfardidyougowithher,Swann?"Therewasadeadlyquietnessinhisvoice.
"Oh,goodlord,man,Ihaven'thurther,"saidVictoruneasily."AcoupleofkisseswasallIgotorevenmeanttogetfromher.She's—she'sbeencryinginthebedroomallthistime,thankstothatfoolBingo'slil'joke."
Marklookedathimsteadily.Hewasatthatstageofdrunkennessinwhichhemighteasilybegintocryhimself.
"Ipresumeyourfriendcanputyouupfortherestofthenight?"hesaid."I'llhaveyourthingssentovertomorrow.Weshallnot,ofcourse,seeyouattheBarnHouseagain."Heturnedtogo.
"Hey!Areyougivingmenoticetoquit?"demandedSwanntruculently."BecauseletmetellyouthatJuliewillhavesomethingtosaytothat."
"Mysister'saffairsareentirelyherownconcern,"saidMarkstonily."Butthehousehappenstobelongtome."Heshutthedoorquietlybehindhim,andwentdownthesilent
stairsandoutintotherawnightair.
CHAPTERXI
I
GINAwassittinginthebackofthecarcryingbitterly.Sebastian,whowasbesideher,andtryinghisbesttocomfort,gotoutwhenhesawMark,andmadeagestureofdespair.
"Ican'tmakeheadortailofanything,"hesaid."ButGinnyseemschieflyupsetbecauseyoufoundher.Didyoupitchintoherorsomething?"
"Hopinfrontanddrive,Sebastian,"saidMarkquickly."Andforheaven'ssakegocarefullyontheseroads.ImusttalktoGina."
Hegotinbesideher,andSebastianjoyfullytookthewheel.Markwaiteduntiltheywerewellontheirway,thenhebegantospeak.
"It'sallover,Gina,"hesaidsoothingly."Don'tworryanymore.Iblamemyselfentirely.Iwasaperfectfoolnottoseehowthelandlay."
"Iwishithadn'tbeenyou...Iwishithadn'tbeenyou..."shesobbed.
"Youwishwhathadn'tbeenme?"
"Iwishyouhadn'tfoundme—likethat."
Heputonehandonherknee."Listen,youpoorchild.I'mgladitwasme,"hesaidgently."I'monlysosorryyouneverconfidedinmebefore.Gina—thattimeyouweresoupsetafterarowwithJulie—hadSwanntriedtogetintoyourbedroom?"Shewassilent."Mydear,youcan'tpossiblymindtellingmenow."
"Wouldyoubelieveme?"
"Gina—!"
"Juliedidn't.Orshesaidshedidn't."
"Wasthatwhatitwas?"
"Itoldher—ItoldherIwasfrightened.Iwantedtochangemyroom.Shewouldn'tletme.ShesaidI'daskedforallIgot."ShebegantocryagainatthememoryofthatscenewithJulie,andMark'shandonherkneetightened.
"Youshouldhavecometome,nottoJulie,"wasallhesaid."Anothertime,whenanythingatallworriesyou,comeandtellme.Willyoupromise?"
Shenodded.
"HasSwannalwayspesteredyou?"
"Moreorless.Ididn'twanttomaketroubleforJulie.IavoidedhimasmuchasIcould."
"AndwhathappenedtoEvantonight?"
"HewenthomeearlierwiththePratts."
"Whywasthat?Hewasoneofourparty."
"Iexpecthedidn'twanttoseemeagain."
"Soyouhadquarrelled?"
"Well,heaskedmetomarryhim,andIrefusedhim."
Therewasalongsilence,thenGinasaidrathermiserably,"IsupposeJuliewillbeannoyed,won'tshe?"
"Nowlisten,Gina.You'renottoworryaboutanythingJuliemaysaytoyou,"saidMarkinanoddvoice."Ishallhavetotellherabouttonight,ofcourse,becauseInaturallywon'thaveSwanninsidethehouseagain.Butnooneelseneedknow.AndaboutEvan—well,youknowIatleastneverwantedyoutomarryhim.Iwantyoutotryandforgetthiswholebeastlybusiness.Willyou?"
Shedidn'timmediatelyanswer,thenshesaidinanxioustones,"Mark,youdidn'treallythinkIcutyourdancesonpurpose,didyou?"
"Oh,Gina!"Heputanarmroundher."Ibelieveyou'refarmoreworriedaboutmethanyourself!No,Ididn'treallythinkyoucutmydancesonpurpose.Anyway,youcouldn'tverywellhelpaproposal,couldyou?"
"No.I'mafraidEvan'sfrightfullyangrywithme."Shesighed,andrestingherwearyheadonMark'sshoulder,wentsuddenlytosleep.
II
Juliestooddrummingherfingersonthewindow-paneofMark'sstudy.Herbackwastowardsherbrother,andhecouldn'tsee,asyet,whateffecthisstoryhadhaduponher.
"Soyousee,Ihadnooptionbuttoforbidhimthehousealtogether,"hefinished."Youquiteunderstand,Julie?"
"Quite,"shereplied,andstilldidnotlookround.
"And,Julie—ImustsaythatyourattitudeoverthewholebusinessofSwann'sbehaviourhasmadeGinasufferunnecessarily.Whycouldn'tyouhavehelpedher,insteadofmakingitimpossibleforhertoconfideinanyone?YoucouldeasilyhavedealtwithSwannandkepthiminorder."
"Itoldyoubefore,Mark,younggirlsareoftenveryfoolishandimagineagreatdealthatisn'ttrue.IthinkthatwassoinGina'scase."
"Youknowyoudon'tbelievethat."
Sheturnedandfacedhimatlast,andhesawthatherfacewasratherpinchedandhereyesverybright.
"AnythingunpleasantthatcameGina'sway,sheaskedfor,"shesaidwithcolddeliberation.
"Yousaidamomentagothatsheimaginedeverything,"hereturnedquietly."No,Julie,thatwon'twashwithme.Itwouldbemorehonestifyouadmittedthatforareasonwhichthepoorchildcan'thelp,youdislikehersomuchthatyouwon'tliftafingertohelp
her."
Aqueerlittlespasmpassedoverherface."Oh,Iadmitit,"shesaidinalifelessvoice."Where'stheuseofpretending?One'swholelifeispretenceinoneformoranother."
"Julie,Icannotunderstandyou!"hecried."IfIevenknewwhatitisyouwant—butyoudefeatmeoneverycount."
Shesmiledthen."PoorMark!We've'allbeenaterribleworrytoyou,haven'twe?Well,you'llberidofmesoon,atleast.I'mgoingtomarryVictor."
Hestaredathersilently,thenhesaidinarathershockedvoice,"ForGod'ssake,why?""Whydoesanyonemarry?"
"Butyoucan'tseriouslytellmeyou'reinlovewiththeman—knowingwhatheis."
"Whatheisdoesn'tmuchmattertome,"shesaid."Weunderstandeachother.IwasinlovewithDenis,Mark,sothatscarcelycomesintothething.Victorhasalwaysattractedmeverystrongly,ifyoumusthaveapurelyphysicalreason."
"Marriageisn'tpurelyphysical,"saidMarkroughly."No.SoDenisfrequentlytoldme.Butinthatrespect,asinmostothers,wewereverypoorlymatched,"shesaidveryquietly."Victorismuchnearermyownwayofthinking,althoughIlovedDenis.—Youforcethesethingsoutofme,Mark.It'sratherhumiliating."
"Mydear,Idon'twanttoforceanythingfromyou.I'monlytryingtounderstandyourpointofview,"hesaidgently."AndIthinkIdoinadimsortofway.I'mterriblysorryforyou,Julie."
"Thanks.Pleasedon'tbe,"sherepliedbitterly,"Andyourmind'squitemadeup?"
"Quite.ThisaffairwithGinahasonlybroughtthingstoahead."
"NothingIcansayordo "
"—canmakeanydifference.Youcan'tstopme,Mark."
"Your'affairsareyourownconcern,mydear.You'renotachild,"hesaidquietly."ButIimagineyoudon'tproposethatGinashouldlivewithyouwhenyou'remarried."
"Gina?MydearMark—!"Shelookedathimamazed.
"Exactly.Ididn'tsupposeyouwouldwanther,"hesaidalittledryly."Butwhatdoyousuggestshouldbecomeofher?You'reresponsibleforher,andshe'sunderage."
"ShewillprobablymarryEvanHunter."
Heshookhisheadslowly."Sherefusedhimlastnight."
Hereyeshardened."Well,shecanwork,can'tshe?"
"Whatdoyousupposeshe'sfittedfor?"
Sheshrugged."Othergirlshavehadtoearntheirliving.She'squickenough."
"Andwhathomewillshehave?Shecan'tlivewithme,youknow."
"Youseemouttomakedifficulties,Mark.Therearehostels—quitecheapplaces—wherethegirlsarewelllookedafter.Therewouldbenoneedforyoutobothermuchwithher."
"God,Julie,you'rehard!"hesaidwith'astrangeexpressioninhiseyes.Hehadbeenwatchinghercloselyasshegaveheranswerstohisquestions."Well,youneedn'tworryaboutGina'sfuture.I'llarrangesomethingforher."
Alittleflickeroffearcameintohereyesforamomentandwasgone.
"You'renotthinkingofmarryingheryourself,areyou?"sheaskedsharply.
"WhyshouldyoumindifIam?"hereturnedcoldly.
"Butareyouserious?"
"Don'tyouthinkmyaffairsconcernmejustasmuchasyoursconcernyou?"
Shestood,strugglingwithherfeelingsinsilence,thensheburstoutalittlehysterically:
"You'reagreatfool,Mark!Boththosetwoareoutforwhattheycanget,andalwayshavebeen.Ginamaymarryyouwillinglyenough,butshedoesn'tcarethatforyou!"
Shesawtheswiftpaincomeintohisface,thenhesaidinavoicethatwassuddenlyverytired:
"Let'snotdiscussitatall,Julie,ifyoudon'tmind."
Shehesitatedamoment,ashamedofhavinghurthim,thenturnedwithoutspeaking,andlefttheroom.
III
Ginagotoutofbedateleveno'clockandlanguidlybegantodress.Sebastianhadbroughtherbreakfastuptoherroomandreportedonthestateofaffairsdownstairs.
"Julie'sinMark'sstudynow,andSweeny'sjustgoneoffinthecarwiththeSwann'sluggage,"hehadsaid."WhatagloriousendtotheChristmasfestivities!"
"Evan,Nancy,Victor,Julie!"shemutteredasshesplashedwaterintoherbasin."Andnowtoaddtomytroubles,I'minlove."
Ginarecognizedtherealthingwhenshesawit,andshehadrealized,assoonasshehadflungopenthatbedroomdoorlastnightandseenhimstandingthere,thatshelovedMark.ShehadthoughtitwasVictor'sfriendre-turnedtoreleasethem,andtheexquisiteshameshehadexperiencedatbeingfoundinsuchasituationbyMarkhadleftherinnodoubtofherfeelings.
Everythingbecameasclearascrystal.HerreactiontoEvan'skiss,herconcernforMarkhimself,evenhersmallresentmentsfittedintoplaceandwereaccountedfor.
Shecleanedherteeth,oneeyeonherlittletreespreadingitsglassbranchesabovethemantelpiece.Itgaveherdoublepleasurenow,andwhatevershewasdoing,shelikedtostopandlookatit.ShewonderedsimplyifMarkcouldeverfallinlovewithher,butdismissedsuchashiningthoughtasbeingtoomuchtoexpect.Shewashumbleinhernew-foundlove.SheknewthatMarkwasveryfondofher,butshedidn'tsupposehisaffectionforherwentanydeeperthanthat.
ItwasatthisjuncturethatJulieknockedsharply'andcameintotheroom.
Ginasmiledatheralittlenervously.Thiscouldn'tpossiblybeanagreeableinterview,butshehopeditmightprovebloodless.
"Goodmorning.Ihopeyoufeelrested,"Juliesaidinatightlycontrolledvoice.
"Yes,thankyou,"Ginasaidpolitely,andspeculatedonwhatwascoming.
"Iwanttosayafewthingstoyou,Gina,"saidJulie,whoneverhesitatedtocometothepoint."Markhasofcoursetoldmeaboutlastnight.Henaturallytookaverydifferentviewofthematterfrommine,butthat'sonlytobeexpected.Idon'tthinkweneeddiscussitexceptthatIcan'thelpaskingifyouthinkitwasveryloyaltoinvolveaguestofmineinsuchunpleasantness?"
"But,Julie—"gaspedGina."Youmustknowitwasnothingtodowithme.Itwasallperfectlybeastly,andIneverwantedMark,of'allpeople,toknowaboutit."
"Well,asIsay,wewon'tdiscussit,"saidJuliepleasantly."Ofcourseitmakesitratherawkwardforeveryone,sinceI'mgoingtomarryVictorquitesoon,andasMarkdoesn'twishhimtocometothehouse,it'sallratherdifficult."
"Thenyouaregoingtomarryhim?"exclaimedGinaimpulsively."Iwasafraidyoumight.Oh,Julie,why?You'remuchtoogoodforhim."
AcuriousexpressioncrossedJulie'shandsomeface."Don'tyouthinkthat'salittleimpertinent?"shesaidsuavely.
"No,Idon't,becauseit'strue.Julie,youcan't—notafterFather.YouwerefondofFather."
ForthefirsttimeJulieseemeddeeplymoved.Sheputahandinstinctivelytohereyes,shieldingthemfromGina'sgaze,andwhenshespoke,herwholevoicehadsoftened.
"Don'tspeakaboutyourfather,please.There'ssomuchyoucan'tpossiblyunderstand."
Gina,tooinexperiencedtobewise,tookthismomentaryweakeningtomeancapitulation,andshewenteagerlytoherstepmother,andputanarmaboutherneck.
"Idounderstand.Youlovedhim,didn'tyou?"shesaidsoftly."Forthatreason,Julie,don'tyousee,youcan'tmarryamanlikeVictor.Fatherwasn'tperfect,buthowasdecent.HowcouldyoubeVictor'swifeknowingallthetimethathewashavinghismeanlittleaffairsbehindyourback?"
ShefeltJulietrembleviolently,'andshewasroughlypushedaway.
"Howdareyou,Gina!"herstepmothercried,andtherewasbitterhumiliationinhervoice."WhenIwantyouradvice,I'llaskforit.DoyouthinkIdon'tknowallthereistoknowaboutVictor'smodeoflife?HowdareyoutryandteachmewhatIalreadyknowandcarenothingabout!"Shepaused,shakingwithanger,andwalkedovertothemantelpiece,wheresherestedherheadonherarm.Ginasaidnothing,andpresentlyJulieliftedherhead,'andcontinuedinalowpassionatevoice:
"You'realittlesnake,Gina,andalwayshavebeen.Youwormyourwayintopeople'saffectionsandexpectalwaystobeprotected.""Julie—please!"
"Youdon'tlikethat,doyou?Veryfewofusdolikethetruth.Butyou'llhavetobegintostandalonenow,mydear.Youcan'texpectMarktosupportyouwhenI'mnolongerhere,andofcourseit'soutofthequestionforyoutolivewithVictorandme.Andrememberthis,Gina.Markhasaverystrongsenseofduty.Youcanre-payhimalittleforwhathehasdoneforyou,bynottakingadvantageofit.Doyouunderstandme?"
"Idon'tthinkso,"saidGinainascaredlittlevoice."Ishalltryandgetsomethingtodo,ofcourse,onceyou'remarried,Julie.ButneedIbeaburdentoMark?Won't—won't
yougoon—clothingme—untilIcankeepmyself?"
Juliegaveashortlaugh,'andtookuptheglasstree,turningitroundinherhandtocatchthelight.
"Mydearchild,didyoureallyimagineIwaspayingforeverything?"shesaidinahardartificialvoice."HowdoyousupposeIcoulddoitonmytinyallowance?Youmustbeverycredulouswheremoneyisconcerned."
"Oh,Julie,dobecareful!It'sfrightfullybrittle
Whatdoyoumean,please?"
"Why,thatyou'vebeenentirelykeptbyMark,that'sall."
"Mark!"
"Everystitchyouwearhasbeenpaidforbyhim.He'sbeenridiculouslygenerous,consideringhe'snotarichman.""ThenIoweeverythingtohim?"
"Everysinglething.Thefoodyoueat,theclothesyouwear,themoneyyouspend—everymortalthing."
JuliewatchedGinawithacertainenjoyment,andsawhergograduallywhiter.Therewasaqueerdefeatedlookinhergreeneyes,andherhandshunglimplyathersides."That'swhatImeantwhenIsaidthatMarkhadaverystrongsenseofduty,"Juliefinished."Itmightverywellleadhimintobeingfoolishlyquixotic,andifyou'veanygratitudeinyouatall,youwon'ttakeadvantageofhim.Nowdoyouunderstandme?"
Ginashuthereyes,feelingalittlesick,andmadenoanswer.ThisannoyedJulie,whocouldnotaltogetherfathomherattitude.Awaveofangersweptoverheragain,andherfingerstightenedconvulsively.Therewasatinymusicalping!asoneofthedelicatebranchesofGina'streesnappedoff.
Ginasprangforward."Whathaveyoudone?"shecriedsofiercelythatJuliewasstartled.Shebackedaway,andthetreeslippedfromherhandsontothehearthwhereitsmashedinathousandpieces.
Therewasapregnantlittlesilence,thenGinafellonherkneesandbegangatheringuptheshiningfragments."Mytree!"shesaid."You'vebrokenmytree!"andbegantocrydesolately.
IV
"Thishouseishell!"remarkedSebastian,comingdownstairslaterinthemorning,andmeetingMarkinthehall.
"Here'sJulietryingtopretendtotheCareysnothing'shappenedatall,'andbeingaboutassuccessfulasamuleattheDerby;youlookingasthoughyou'vegotonefootinthegrave,andGinahowlinghereyesoutupstairs."
"What'sthematterwithher?NotJulieagain,Ihope,"saidMarkquickly.
Sebastianshrugged'ashoulder."ShesaidJuliebrokethattreeyougaveherforChristmas,She'sweepingoverthefragments."
Markfrowned."Thisisdamnable!WeshallhavenopeacenowtillJuliegoes,Isuppose."
"Goes?Whereto?"
"She'smarryingSwarm,orsayssheis,"Marksaidshortly.
Sebastianwhistled,andsaidshrewdly,"What'sgoingtohappentousallwhenthatmerryeventoccurs?"
Markglancedathim."Thatdependsonyourselves,"hereplied.
"Well,Oxfordforme,Isuppose—ifI'vegotin—butwhataboutGinny?Shecan'tliveherewithyouverywell."
"No.Well,that'sgottobediscussed,naturally."
Ginacamedowntolunch,lookingtear-stainedandmiserable,andinthemiddleoftheafternoonMarkmotoredtheCareystothestation.
"I'msorrythere'sbeensuch'adampatmosphereaboutyourdeparture,Phil,"hesaidtoPhilippa,whowassittingbesidehim."Thehouseisinratheraturmoiljustatthepresent."
"Don'tbothertoexplain,mydear,"saidPhilippatranquilly."I'veeyesinmyhead.I'msorryforlittleGina,though."
"She'llbeallrightwhenthingshavesettleddownagain,Ihope."
"She'llbeallrightbecauseshe'ssoeminentlysensibleunderneath.Butremember,Mark,ifwecaneverbeofanyuse,ElliotandIwillalwayslovetohavethechildtostayindefinitely."
"Thankyou,mydear,I'llrememberthat,"hesaidgratefully,reflectingthattherewasverylittlewhichescapedPhilippa'sshrewdattention.
"Good-bye,andgoodluck,Mark!"shesaidjustasthetrainstarted."Gotoit!"Shemadeasmallgrimaceathimoutofthecarriagewindow,andlefthimstandingontheplatformwithagrinofcomprehension.DearoldPhil!Butitwasn'taseasyasallthat.
ItwasnotuntilthenextdaythathehadanopportunityofspeakingtoGinaalone.Sheseemedtobekeepingoutofhisway,andintheendhehadtosendSebastiantofetchher.
"Yousentforme?"shesaid,soexactlylikeanervousschoolgirlthathehadtolaugh.
"Comealongandsitdownandlet'sbewarmandcomfortable,"hesaid,pullingupachairtothefireforher.
Shesatdown,andheleantagainstthemantelpieceandfilledapipe."Gettingoveryournastyadventure?"heasked.
"Oh,yes,thanks."
"That'ssplendid.Now,IwanttotalktoyouaboutoneortwothingsthatIthinkweoughttodiscuss."
Shewishedhewouldn'tadoptthisbrightbedsidemannertowardsher.Itmadeitsodifficulttoknowwhathewasreallyafter.
"Julie,asshe'snodoubttoldyou,isgoingtogetmarriedagain,whichmeansthatthishouseholdwillhavetobesomewhatreorganized."
Whilehewasspeaking,sheglancedathimsurreptitiously.Hewasjustthesameofcourse,andyet,now,everythingabouthimseemedchanged.Hiseyeswerekinder,hismouthmoretenderthanshehadrememberedbefore.Helookedtiredandalittlestrained,andthatworriedher.
"—soyousee,mydear,wemustconsiderwhat'stobedonewithyouandSebastian,"hefinished.
"Ishallfindsomework,"shesaidimmediately.
Hesmiled."Where?"
"Idon'tknow.Perhapsyouwouldhelpme.Youmustknowpeoplewhowouldgivemeastart."
"Itisn'teasywhenyouhavenotraining."
"Iknow.ButIdon'tmindwhatIdo."
"You'ddoanything?"
"Ofcourse."
"Wouldyoumarryme?"
Shestaredathimdumbly."What?"shesaidthen,ratherfaintly.
Hesmiledagain."Don'tlooksoscared.Iwasonlyaskingyouifyouwouldincludemarriageindoinganything."
"Withyou?"
"Withme.Whynot?Wouldyouhateit?"
Thiswasunbearable!Ginaforonebadmomentfeltshewasgoingtoburstintotears,andhewatchedherwithdismay.Butshepulledherselftogether,andsinceherdazedemotionshadtohaveanoutletsomeway,shebegantolaughhelplessly.
"I'msorry!"shegasped."Butitdoesseemsuchaf-funnysortofproposal."
Hesatdownbesideher,andallowedhispipetogooutwhilehetalkedtoher."Thinkitoutsensibly,Gina.Youdon'tdislikelivinghere,doyou?"Sheshookherhead."Andyouarefonderofmethanyouwere?"Thathurtalittle.Hewassounassumingofher'affection.Shemadenoanswer,andhewentonwithforcedcheerfulness:
"YoucouldmakeahomeforSebastianthatway,andthethreeofuscouldmanageverycomfortably."Nowordforhimself,nomentionofhissideofthebargain.
"Andwhatdoyougetoutofit?"shecouldn'thelpasking.
"I?"helookedstartled,thenalittleembarrassed."Well,Ishouldliketofeeltherewasnodangerofyourunningoffandleavingme—eitherforthesakeofajoborayoungman,"hesaid."Besides,itwouldputanendtoallthismoneybusinesswhichseemstoworryyousomuch."
Thetemptationwasverygreat.ShearguedthatitmightbelesstroubleinthelongrunforMark,ifshemarriedhim,forasthingsturnedout,hewouldhavetokeepherentirely,whileshewaslearningherjob,andthatwouldmeantwoestablishments.Yetmarriagewasatremendousthingtoacceptfromsomeonepurelyasaquixoticgesture.
"Well—whatdoyousay?"
"Woulditbecheaper?"sheaskedcarefully.
"Cheaper?"
"ImeanwoulditbecheaperforyouthanstartingmeinajobandpayingmyexpensesuntilIwasearning?"
"Mydear,I'mnotaskingyoutomarrymeonthegroundsofeconomy!"hesaidquickly."Butifyouhatetheidea,I'msureJuliewouldhelpyou—"
"Youneedn'tbothertokeepthatup,"shebrokein."JulietoldmeIoweeverythingtoyou.I—I'mterriblygrateful."
Mentallyhecursedhissisterfuriously.HecouldwellimaginethesortofsceneshehadcreatedforGina.
"I'msorryshetoldyouthat,"hesaidquietly."Ionlydidn'ttellyoumyselfbecauseyouseemedsosensitiveaboutthesethingsandIdidn'twanttohurtyouunnecessarily.But,Gina,youknowIwasalwaysgladtodoanythingforyou.Itgavemegreatpleasuretoseeyouenjoyyourprettythings."
"MayIthinkaboutit,Mark?"shesaid."It'salittle—unexpected.MayItellyoutomorrow?"
"Ofcourse,child.Takeaslongasyoulike,"hesaidwarmly."Don'tdoanythingagainstyourwill,butrememberthatIshallalwayswantyou,whateverhappens.TalkitoverwithSebastian,andseewhathehastosay."
"Thanks,Iwill,"shereplied,andgotoutoftheroomasquicklyasshecould.
V
TalkingitoverwithSebastianinvolvednodifficulties.Hethoughtitwasanexcellentideaandthesolutiontoalllife'stroubles.
"Afterall,Ginny,youalwayssaidyou'dhavetomarrysomebody,andthoughI'admitI'dneverinmywildestdreamsthoughtofTeacher,here'syourchance,"hesaid.
"Whatareyourprosandcons?"Ginaaskedinanoddlittlevoice.
"MydearoldGinny,therearen'tanycons,surelyyoumustseethat?"Sebastianexclaimedimpatiently."Let'stickoffthepros.IfyoumarrytheJudgeyou'llgosharesin
everything.Nomoredolingoutclothesandpocket-money.You'llhaveunlimitedclaimonhispurse,andthatmeansyoucanpasssomeontomewheneverIwantit.Thenwe'llbothhaveahome'andbeprovidedforforever,andwhenI'vedonewithOxfordIcansettledowncomfortablyandworkatmusic.Ishouldneverbeanygoodreallyasthelittlebread-winner,darling.We'dhavethegrandesttimes.Why,we'dbequiterich!Ican'tseewherethesnagis,canyou?"
"You'relookingatitentirelyfromyourpointofview,Sebastian,"shesaidslowly."Iquiteseeitsolvesallyourtroubles."Therewasasarcasticnoteinhervoicewhichmadehimwriggle.
"Oh,well,itappliestoyoujustasmuch,"hesaiduneasily."Isupposeyou'rethinkingofthewifesideofit.Ibelievegirlshaveallsortsofqueerideasaboutbeingawife,butit'snothingreally.Itisn'tasifyou'dhavetobemakingloveallday.TheJudgeisn'tabitlikethat.Idon'tsupposeyou'devenhavetokisshimverymuchonceyouweremarried.Anyway,thinkofthefunwe'dgetthrownin."
Ginarealizedafreshhowfarawayfromhimshehadgrown,andfeltsuddenlyverymiserable.
"Youhaveanawfullyfunnyideaofmarriage,"sheobservedalittledryly."Anyway,whataboutMark'ssideofthebusiness?"
Sebastianwriggledagain."Howsillyyouare,Ginny.AsiftheJudgewouldcareonewayortheother,"hesaid."He'dhardlynoticethedifference,becausewe'velivedwithhimsolongnow.Ofcoursehe'dexpectyoutobenicetohimandtakeaninterestinhishealth,andentertainhisfriends,butathisagehecouldn'twantanythingelse."
"He'sonlythirty-five."
"Well,butthat'sgettingtothesereandyellow.Mark'snochicken,andheknowsit,"saidSebastian,agedeighteen.
"Well,whydoyouthinkhe'askedmetomarryhim,then?"
"Itwastheobviouswayout,"hesaidcheerfully."Afterall,Juliesayingshe'sgoingtomarrytheSwannrathermuckedthings.Itwasthemostsensiblethinghecoulddointhecircumstancesbecauseitprovidesforbothofusatoneblow."
"Doyouthinkthatwashisonlyreason?"askedGinawithawistfulnessthatentirelyescapedhim.
"Whatotherreasoncouldhehave?Ithinkitwasjollydecentofhim.Butthenhe'salwaysbeenawfullyfondofyou,darling.Itoldyouyouwentdownbestwitholdermen,didn'tI?"
"Yes."
"Well,goon.Whatareyouhesitatingfor?IfIwereyouI'dgorightinnowandtellhimit'sallfixedup.Iwonderifhe'dbeginmakingmeaprivate'allowance.Afterall,I'llbehisbrother-in-law."
"You'reperfectlydisgusting!"shecriedinachokedvoice."Allyoucanthinkaboutiswhatyoucangetoutofpeople.Youjudgeeveryoneintermsofhardcash,andyou'lllivelikethatfortherestofyourlifeifyougethalfachance.You'renothingbutarottenlittlesponger,onlyyougetawaywithitbecauseyou'reyoungandcharming.It'sbeastly—beastly!"
Therewasatremblingsilence,thenSebastiansaidinangrytones,"Well!OfallthefilthythingstosaywhenIwasonlytryingtohelpyou!"
"Helpyourself,youmean!"shesaid,hervoiceshakingwithpassion."Youthinkthatthroughmeyou'llbeabletospongeonMarkandneverdoastrokeofworkforaslongasyoulive.Youonlythinkwhatgoodtimeswe'llhaveonhismoney.Youdon'tcareanythingabouthim,ormeeither."
"Allright!Idon'tcare'abouthimoryoueither!"shoutedSebastian."AndIdon't,too,whenyou'relikeahowlingwitch."
"Well,itmaypleaseyoutoknowthatyou'vegivenmetheveryreasonwhyIwon'tmarryMark,"shesobbed."Iwon'thavehimspongedon!Iwon't,Iwon't!"
"You'realittlefool!"
"Nothalfasbadasyou!"
"Oh,yes,youare,becauseyouwanttomarryhim."
"Idon't!"
"Youdo!"
"Idon't!Howd'youknow,anyway?"
"Ididn't,butIdonow."
"You'reaperfectlittlebeast,andIwishIwasdead!"
"Yousoonwillbeifyougoonlikethis.Ineverknewagirlcryasmuchasyoudo."
Shestoodlookingathim,thetearspouringdownherdistractedface,andSebastian'swrathbegantocool.
"I'msorry,Ginny.Forgetit,andlet'sbefriends,"hesaidpersuasively."Weneverusedtoquarrellikethis.Hangitall,Idon'twanttoputyouofftheJudge."
Heheldouthishand,butshebackedawayfromhim.
"Leavemealone!"shecriedviolently."Idon'twanttobefriends.Andyouneedn'thavehopesI'llchangemymindaboutMark.You'vemadeitimpossible.I'llnevermarryhimnow—never—never—never!"
CHAPTERXII
I
MARKtookGina'sdecisionphilosophically,arguingthatafterallwhatcouldhehaveexpected?ShehadrefusedyoungHunter,althoughshehadadmittedthatheattractedher.Thechildwasevidentlytoohonesttomarrywhereshedidn'tlove.
"I'msorry,Mark.Butyoudon'treallymind,doyou?"shefinishedpolitely.
Hecouldn'thelpsmilingatthewaysheputit,butherwordshurtallthesame.
"Idon'twanttopersuadeyoutoanythingagainstyourwill,mydear,"hesaid,evadingherquestion."DidyoutalkitoutwithSebastian?"
Aqueerexpressioncameintohereyes."Oh,yes.Hequitedecidedme."
Helookedathersharply."Unfortunateforme,"hesaidquietly."WhathadIdone?"
"Nothing."
"Thenwasn'titalittlehardtoobject?"
"Hedidn'tobject.Hethoughtitwasagrandidea,"shesaidhardly."Hethoughtitwasaverygoodmeansoffuturesecurityforhimself,andthatwe'dbothhaveagreattimewithyourmoney."
"Isee,"hesaidcomprehensively.
SohehadcommittedanobviousfollyinreferringGinatoherbrother.ShewasevidentlynotpreparedtosacrificeherselforMarkforSebastian'ssake,andheadmiredherforit,whileheblamedhimselfforhisshortsightedness.Hefoundhimselfwonderingwhatheranswerwouldhavebeenhadhetoldherthathelovedherandwantedheronanyterms.ButGinawasinastrangemoodjustnow.Itwasclearlythewrongmomenttohaveputforwardsuchapropositionatall.
"Well,whatarewegoingtodowithyou?"hesaidwithanattemptatlightness."You'realittleoldtobeadopted,I'mafraid!"
Shelookedupathimquickly,andhereyeswereverybright."SomethingwillturnupbetweennowandthetimewhenJuliemarries,"shesaidquickly."Somethingmustturnup."
"Mydear,Iwasonlyjoking,"saidMark,upsetbyheranxiety."You'renottoworry'aboutthefuture,Gina.Julieisn'tgoingtobemarrieduntilafterEaster,sothere'splentyoftime.Ishallhavethoughtofsomethingbythen."
ThatnightSebastianslippedintoherroomwheneveryoneelsehadgonetobed.
"Ginny—areyouawake?—Ican'tfindyou,"hesaid,gropingacrosstheroom.
"Here,"saidGina,sittingupinbed.
"Darling,I'msorryabouttherow.WastheJudgeangry?"
"Angry?"Shegaveaqueerlittlelaugh."Ohno—notangry.Ithinkheunderstood."
"Ginny—haveImuckedthingsforyou?"Hewassittingonthebednow,andhecouldjustseeherface,afaintpaleblurinthedark.
"Itwasn'taltogetheryourfault,"shesaid,thinkingthatbutforSebastian'soutrageousattitudeshemighthaveyieldedtotemptationandacceptedMarkagainstherbetterjudgment.
"You'requitedecided?"heaskedwithonelasthopethatshemightchangehermind."Quite!"
"Oh,well,whatdowecare?"hesaidwithamournfulsigh."Something'llturnup.""Yes.Something'llturnup."
Hemovednearer."TheVictorbusinessdoesn'tworryyouanymore,doesit?""No."
"Youseemdifferentthesedays,somehow.Areyouunhappy,darling?"
"No—yes,frightfully."Sheflungherarmsroundhiminthedarkness."Itisn'tanythingreally.It'sjustgrowingup.It'sso—b-beastly."
"PoorGinny.Whydoit,then?""Ican'thelpit."
"Girlshaverottenluck,"saidSebastianobscurely,andkissedher.
II
TherestofJanuarypasseduneventfully,andearlyinFebruary,Sebastianlearnedthathehadwonhisscholarship.HewastogointoresidenceafterEaster,whichmeantthatifJuliekepttoherpresentmarriagearrangements,GinawouldbeleftsolitaryonMark'shands.TheproblemratherworriedMark,foralthoughherecognizedthatinthesedaysitwasusualforagirltofindsomemeansofearningherownliving,hehatedtheideaofGinaworkingwhenhecouldstillaffordtokeepher,addedtowhichshewasnotfittedforanythingthatwouldhelpverymaterially.
HewenttodinneronenightwiththeCareys,anddiscusseditthoroughlywithPhilippa,whomheconsideredasoundperson,withtheadvantageofbeinginsympathywithGina.
"Iquiteseeit'sabitofaproblem,"shesaidwhenhehadexplainedmatters."I'msorryaboutJulie'sdecision,thoughIalwaysfeltshemeanttomarrythemaneventually.ButIdon'tquiteunderstand,Mark."Shelookedathimspeculatively."WhenIlastsawyouIthought—PerhapsIwaswrong,butthatwouldhavesolvedyourdifficultiesforyou."
"YouthoughtImeanttomarryGina?"hesaidbluntly.
"Well,Irathergotthatimpression."
"Iwasrefused."
"What?—Oh!—Youaskedherthen?"Henodded."Andsherefusedyou?—Gina?"
"Idon'tknowwhyyoushouldbesoamazed,"hesaidalittleirritably,"Iseeno
earthlyreasonwhysheshouldhaveacceptedme,nowIcometothinkofit.Atleastshepaidmethecomplimentofrefusingtomakeuseofme."
"ButIcouldhavesworn—Well,youdoratheramazeme,Mark."Philippalookedalittleblank.
"It'sverycharmingofyoutotakemypersonalassetssomuchforgranted,Phil,"hesaidwitharatherwrysmile."ButI'venodoubttheveryyounglookatlifewithdifferenteyes."
Shelookedathimratherhard."DidyouproposetoGinainthatsortofspirit?"sheaskedsuspiciously.
"Whatdoyoumean?"
"Well,didyouaskhertomarryyouinanice,soothing,business-likesortoffashion?"
"Whatareyougettingat?IputitascalmlyandunassuminglyasIcould."
"Iknewit!"sheexclaimedwithresignation."Mark,youreallyareafool!"
"Forheaven'ssake,why?"
"Well,can'tyousee—?Whatdoyousupposethepoorchildthought?"
"Sheaskedmeifitwasjustabusinessproposition."
"Andwasit?"
"Ofcoursenot,"hesaidalittleharshly."ButhowcouldItellherthatwhenshesoclearlylookedonitasaconvenience?"
"But,Mark,can'tyouseethatshehadtotakehercuefromyou?"saidPhilippagently."Ifyoucreatedthatimpressionfromtheveryfirst—asyouadmityoudid—whyshouldsheimagineanythingelse?Youdoloveher,don'tyou?Iwasn'twrong?"
"IlovehersomuchthatIcanscarcelybearthethoughofherlivingawayfromme,asshemustquitesoon,"hesaidveryquietly.
"Why,inheaven'sname,didn'tyoutellherso?"criedPhilippa.
Alookofwearinesscameintohisface."Ididn'tseethatitwouldserveanypurpose,"hesaidinalifelessvoice."Thechildhadbeenthroughaseriesofemotionalcrisesinaveryshortspaceoftime,andasI'dnoreasontosupposeshehadanyfeelingsformeotherthanonesthatwerepurelyplatonic,Ireallycouldn'tbringmyselftothatsortofconfession.Shewouldprobablyhavebeenhighlyembarrassed."
"MypoorMark!"shesaidpityingly."Yoursentimentsaresoadmirableandsoentirelyidiotic.HowdoyousupposeGinalikedbeingofferedmarriageastheeasiestwayofsolvingherfuture?Youprobablyhurtherverymuch."
"Iimaginedthecommon-sensesideofthebusinesswouldappealtoher,andIconfessIthoughtshewouldagreeifonlytoprovideforSebastian.""Yousuggestedthattoo?"
"Yes.Ithadtheoppositeeffect.Whateverhesaidtoher—andIgatherhewasinfavouroftheidea—definitelydecidedheragainstme."
Philippasmiled."Don'tyouthinkthatprovesshe'sratherfondofyou?"
"Idon'tknow.Itmightproveanything.Butreally,Phil,GinarefusedyoungEvan,althoughsheadmittedthatshethoughtshemightcareforhim,soIdon'tseemuchreasonwhysheshouldhaveacceptedme."
"Idon'tsayshe'sinlovewithyou,Mark,"sherepliedfrankly."I'venoreasontosupposesheis,anymorethanyouhave.ButIdoknowshe'sextremelyfondofyou,andshe'salreadyfilledwithsuchgratitudetowardsyouthat,withwisdomonyourpart,shemighthavefalleninlovewithyou."
"Oh,gratitude!"heexclaimedimpatiently."She'snothadmuchchancetoforgetit.Julie'sgivenherabadtime."
"Iwonderwhatcarefullittleseedssheplantedforyou,"Philippasaidshrewdly.
"Yes,I'mafraidthere'sbeenalotofmischiefdoneonewayandanother.Itcan'tbehelpednow.Ididn'tchoosemymomentverywellunderallthecircumstances.ButIstillhopeintimeperhaps,Phil—"
"Ofcourse,mydear.Thedamageisn'tfatal,"shesaidwarmly."ButIstillthinkthatifyou'dtoldherwhatyoureallyfelt,you'dhavehadher—eventhoughshemaynotloveyou.Orwouldyounotconsidergratitudeagoodenoughreasonforher?"
"I'mnotasproudasGina.I'dhavehadheronanyterms,"hesaidalittlesadly.
"I'msorry,mydear,"shesaidsympathetically."Well,anyhow,it'ssettledthatwhenJuliemarries,Ginashallcomehereandstaywithusindefinitely.Somethingmayhaveturnedupbythen.Doyouseemuchofhernow?"
"Notalot.Idon'tgodowneveryweek-end.Sheseemstoavoidmerather."
"Yes,well,perhapsthat'snatural.HowaresheandJuliegettingonnow?"
"Superficially,Ithinkthingsareallright.Idon'tbelieveJuliecaresmuchnowshe'sdefinitelyendingtherelationship,sothingsareeasier."
"Poorthwartedcreature!I'mterriblysorryforJulie.Shemakesherownhell,"saidPhilippacompassionately.
III
Februarywasableakmonth,coldandrainy,withbitingeastwindsthatskinnedyourfaceouthuntingandnumbedyouralreadyachingfingers.
Gina,justnow,wasnotveryhappy.HerpositionintheBarnHousehadbecomealmostintolerable,sinceshenowmuststandalone,andconfideinnoone.Perhapsmorethananything,shemissedtheoldintimacywithSebastian,moreso,becausehedidn'tappeartonoticeanydifference.Butthechangewasthere.Shehadmovedonandhehadnot.SherecognizedinhimacertainPeter-Panqualitywhichmightneverlethimgrowup.Shecouldseehiminten,twentyyears'time,stillthelittleboy,irresponsible,charming,suchexperienceastheyearsmightbringhimsittinglightlyonhisslimshoulders.WhenSebastianshruggedandlaughedandsaid,"WhatdoIcare?"withasnapofthefingers,hemeantit.Thatwasthefundamentaldifferencebetweenthem.Withheritwasbravado,butwithhimitwasgenuine.Hereallydidn'tcare;consequentlyhehadverylittlecapacityforsuffering,whileherswaslimitless.BetweenherselfandMarktherewasnoverynoticeableconstraint,sincehetreatedherexactlyasbefore,andnevermentionedhisproposalagain.SheneverknewifJuliewasawarethathehadaskedher.Ifshewas,shegavenosign,andherwholeattitudetowardsGinawasoneofforcedpleasantness.Sheseemeddeterminedtosteerclearofanymorescenesduringtheshorttimethatremainedtoherinherbrother'shouse,andGina,takinghercue,respondedaccordingly.
Shedidn'tseemuchofMarkduringtheearlypartofthenewyear,buttowardstheendofFebruaryhecamedownmoreoftentoSussex,andshelookedforwardtotheseweek-endswithamixtureofdreadandpleasure.Itwastorturetobewithhimandendurehisoldkindlyaffection,whichnowhadsuchadifferentaspect.Hissmallautomaticendearmentswerealmostunbearable,sinceeachtimehetouchedher,shewantedeithertorecoilviolentlyorflingherselfintohisarms.
Oncehecaughtherbytheshouldersandturnedhertofacethelight.
"Iwishyou'dletmesendyoubothtoIrelandforthreeweeksorso,Gina,"hesaid,"Itwoulddoyougoodtogetawayassoonasthemilderweathercomes."
"WemeantogowhenSebastian'ssoldatune,"shesaidcheerfully."PerhapsatEaster,beforehegoestoOxford."
"Ifyouwentthen,Imightmanageafewdaysmyself,"Marksaid."Ishouldliketogobackthere.Isupposeyou'dhavenoobjectiontomypayingfortheholidayifIwascomingtoo?"
Gina'sbodygrewtense.TobewithMarkinthesweetnessandmagicofherowncountrywouldbeunendurable.Hercontrolcouldn'tholdoutundertoogreataprovocation.
"Yes,Iwould,"sheansweredabruptly,almostrudelyinhermisery."Idon'twantyoutocome."
Helookedtakenabackandratherhurt."I'msorry,"hesaidalittlestiffly."Itwasstupidofme.I'dnoidea—"
Shefeltwretchedathavinghurthim,andstaredstraightinfrontofherintothehotfireuntiltheheatdriedupthetearswhichhadsprungtohereyes,andshewasabletolookaway.
Thesilencebetweenthemwasverystrained,andpresentlyMarksaidinacolourlessvoice:
"It'sgettinglate,Gina.Ithinkyououghttogotobed."
Sheroseatonce,andturnedtosaygood-nighttohim.Heheldouthishandandsmiledsuddenly.
"Sleepwell,andblessyou,"hesaid.
Shestoodlookingathimalittleirresolutely,thenwithaswiftinstinctivegesture,shetookhishand'andhelditagainstherlipsforamoment,justasshehaddoneonNewYear'sEve.
"Blessyou,Mark,"shesaidinahuskylittlevoice,andfled.
Shelefthimlookingfirststartled,thenthoughtful.Therewereoccasionswhenhewonderedifshecaredforhimmorethanshepretended.HadPhilippabeenrightafterallwhenshehadsaidthatGinatookhercuefromhim?
Hewonderedforperhapsthefirsttimewhatshewoulddoifheweretomakelovetoher.
IV
JuliewentfrequentlytoLondoninthesedays.Nothingwaseversaid,butitwastacitlyunderstoodthatshewenttoseeVictor,sincehecouldn'tcometoher.Ginawoulddrivehertothestationinthemorning,andshewouldcomebackbythelasttrainandtakeataxiup.SometimesVictormotoredherdownintheBentley,andGinawouldheartheroarofitsdepartureinthesmallhoursofthemorning.Butbeyondannouncingthedateofhermarriage,Julieneverdiscussedheraffairswiththehousehold,andGinawonderedhowMarkwouldarrangethingsoncehehadSwannforabrother-in-law.
TheCareyscamedownforaweek-end,andoneortwolegalfriendsofMark'soccasionallyturnedup,butforthemostpartlifewasdull.ItwasthedeadperiodbetweenChristmasandEasterwhenthewinterseemedharshest,andthevillageentereduponalongsessionofmeaslesandmumps.Mark'shouseholdsuccumbedtoamildformof'flu,Ginatakingsometimetothrowofftheresults,forshewasrun-downandnervytostartwith.
GinahadscarcelyseenEvansincethenightofthecharityball,buthewasdownforaweek-endearlyinMarch,andcameouthuntingonSaturday,ridingoneofthePratts'horses.HegreetedGinawithnoembarrassment,andshelookedathimwithinterest,'andwonderedwhyhehadeverattractedher.
Helookedwellonahorse,andtheweakMarchsunlightgavehisskinthatgoldentingeshehadalwaysfoundsofascinating.Butwatchinghimnow,shethoughthisfaceWasalittletooeffeminateinitsclear-cutbeauty,andhismouth,whichshehadthoughtsosweetandgentle,wasreallyalittleweak.
Hechattedtohereasily,thentookuphispositionatNancy'sside,whereheclearlymeanttoremainallday.
Thefieldmovedoff,andGinafoundherselfbesideSirCharlesNapieronhisbigweight-carrier.
"Ihearyourstepmotherismarryingagain,"heremarked.
"Yes,earlyinMay,"saidGina,whohadthatmorningdrivenJulietothestationforanotherdayinLondon.
"What'sgoingtobecomeofyou,younglady?"heasked.
"Idon'tknow.Everyone'saskingthat,"shesaidrathermournfully."Ishalllookforsomework,Isuppose,onlyIdon'tquiteknowwhat."
"Nonsense,"SirCharlessaidirritably."Proctorwouldn'thearofthat.Idislikethesemodernhabitsofyoungwomenwhomustgoouttowork,insteadofstayingquietlyathome,astheydidinmyyoungday."
"Inyouryoungday,theyprobablyhadhomestostayquietlyin,"saidGinamildly."Everyonehasn'tnow."
"Tush!Don'tyoubelikeyourscatter-brainedbrother,mydear.Youjustwaitabitandbesensible,"saidSirCharles,androdeawaytospeaktosomeoneelse.
"NowIwonderwhatonearthhemeantbythat,"thoughtGina,staringafterhim.
Theyfoundquickly,andhadquiteabriskruninthemorning.Sweenyhadborrowedaneighbouringfarmer'scob,andheembarrassedGinabyhiswell-meantcommentsonhermistakes.
"Giveherabeltin',MissGina!"heshoutedastheSouthernBellerefusedafenceforthethirdtime."Gripes!It'snomannerofusecoaxingher,forshehasasluginherblackheartthisday.WillIgiveheracrackbehindt?G'wanonoverwillyenow!"Herodeupwitharush,andcaughtthemareaterrificthwackwithhiscropwhichsentherboundingintotheair."HolyGod,she'skilt!"heexclaimedasGinawentflyingfromthesaddle.
"Iwishyou'dleaveheralone,Sweeny,"criedGinaangrily,asshemountedagain."Youalwaysmakemefalloff."
"I'msorry,MissGina,butyousitlooseinyourseat,"saidSweenyapologetically.
"IknowIdo,"snappedGina,andtookhernextfencewithmorecare.
NancyandEvankeptclosetogether,andonceNancycalledout,"Nottakentoaside-saddleyet,Gina?Youshould.Itlookseversomuchnicer—don'tyouthinkso,Evan?"
Hesmiled."Imustn'tberudetoGina,mustI?"hesaidnaively.
Ginasmiledtoherself.Nancywasn'tdoingsobadly.
Houndschecked,butonlyforamoment,andtheywereoffagain.
"Goodsporttoday!"somemanshoutedashepassedheronastretchofplough.
"Very,"saidGinagrimly,andtriedtositfirmerinhersaddle.
Abrokengate,ahedge;Sweenybehindshouting:"Don'tbelthersohard,MissGina!She'llturncrankyonyou.Spakesofttohernow!"Andthenawood,thesunslantingthroughthenakedbranchesinblindingflashesasyouspedpast,andhereatlastwasthekindofnastyplaceyoudreamedaboutinnightmares;aditchandhedgedangerouswithoverhangingbranches,andanuphill,boggytake-off.
Ginafelttheoldsickeningfearloomupwithinher;fearoffalling,fearofbeing
fallenupon.Shewasthelast.Therewasnoonebehindher,andnothingtostophergoingbackandfindinganeasierway.
"Iwon'tbeafraid,Iwon'tbe'afraid,"shemuttered,desiringatleasttoconquerherselfifshediedintheattempt.Shehaddisgracedherselfbeforebyturningback.
Shesatlowinhersaddle,andwenthardatthefence,duckingherheadandshuttinghereyestightasthemarerosetothejump.Almostatthesamemomentanotherriderappearedfromadifferentpartofthewood,andchargedthefenceatthesametime.AshrillvoicethatGinaknewtobeNancy'sscreamed:"Getoutofmyway!"Therewasaterrificimpactasbothhorsesmetandlandedinawildmix-upontheotherside.Bothgirlswerethrownclear,butGina'sfootwasbadlystampedonbyNancy'shorseasitstruggledup.
"GoodGod!Areyoubothallright?"Gina,throughamistofpain,sawEvan'shorrifiedfaceontheothersideofthehedge,andhehurriedlydismounted,andtyinguphishorse,scrambledovertotheirassistance.
Nancywassittingupalittledistanceoff,gingerlyputtingherbowlerstraight,andpattinghercurlsintoplace.
"Youcutinonme!"shecriedfuriously."Yououghtn'teventohaveattemptedsuchajumpwhenyou'resucharottenrider."ShesuddenlysawEvan,andgavealittlesobbingsighandputherhandtoherside.
HesawthatGinawasstandingupapparentlyunhurt,andkneltdownbyNancy."Whereareyouhurt?"heaskedanxiously."Isitbad,dear?"
"Oh,Idon'tknow.IthinkI'mgoingtofaint.Ifyoucouldjustsupportme—thankyousomuch."Nancysmiledwanly,andgracefullyacceptedEvan'sflask.
Ginastoodandwatchedthem;shedespisedNancy,butshedidn'tblameher.Shesupposedthiswasallpartofthebusinessofgettingyourman.But,later,whenNancyallowedherselftobeconsideredwellenoughtobeproppedtenderlyagainstatree-trunk,andEvansaidtoGinainarathershakyvoice:"Thatwasdamnedcarelessofyou,Gina.YoumighthavekilledNancy,"shefelthertemperflareup.
"SomightNancyhavekilledme,"sheretorted."Itwasasmuchherfaultasmine.IthoughtIwasthelast.Iusuallyam."
"Well,youneedn'tbesosnarky.Can'tyouseethatshe'shurt,andyou'renot?"saidEvanangrily.
"She'sallright,"snappedGina.Thepaininherfootwasblinding.Sheknewitwouldsubsidealittleonceithadreacheditszenith,butatthemomentshewantedtoscream.
"Oh,Gina,Idofeelveryshaky,"saidNancyinaweakvoice."IthinkI'llhavetogohomeinthecar,Evan.Wouldyoumindtakingmebacktothepubandthenbringingonthehorses?"
"Ofcoursenot.Doyouthinkyoucanridethatfar?"
"Oh,Ithinkso."Shegottoherfeet,clingingheavilytohisarm,andhecarefullyliftedherintohersaddle.
"ShallIgiveyoualeg-up?"heaskedGinaalittlecoldly.
"Thanks."Sheplacedheruninjuredfootinhishands,andstruggledup.
"Good-night,Gina."
"Good-night."
Shewatchedthemrideawayslowly,Evan'shandsupportingNancyinthesaddle.ShecouldhearNancy'svoicefloatingbacktoher,gettinglivelierastheygrewfartheraway.
Ginasatstillinhersaddle,tryingtorestherfoot.Atlast,withtearsofpainrunningdownhercheeks,sheturnedthemare'sheadhomewards,andbeganthelongwearyhackback.
CHAPTERXIII
I
BYthetimeshegothome,herfootwasthrobbinghotly,'andshefeltrathersick.SheencounteredMarkinthehallandstaredathiminsurprise.
"Hullo!"shesaid."Ithoughtyouweren'tcomingthisweek-end.Julie'sintown,youknow."
"Yes,Iknow.I'veonlybeenhereabouthalfanhour,"hereplied."Haveagoodday?Ihearyouhadasmash-upwiththePrattlady.Youweren'thurt,Ihope?"
"Howonearthdidyouhearthat?"
"ImetEvancomingbackwiththehorses.Heseemedquiteupset.However,astheladyisapparentlyrecoveringsufficientlytobetakentoadanceinEastclifftonight,Idon'tthinkshecanbeverybad."
Ginalaughed."TheSpratispriceless!"shesaid."Well,itworkswithEvan,doesn'tit?AndtothinkImighthavemarriedhim!Well,well,"
"Sorry?"
"No.TheSprat'smadeforhim,goodlucktothem!"
"Well,comealonginandgetsometea.ShallIpullyourbootsoffforyou?"
"Thanks."
Sheextendedheruninjuredfootfirst,andwonderedifherotherfoothadswollenatall.Butwhenhetookholdofhersecondbootandgaveitapull,thepainwassoviolentthatshecriedout.
Helookedupsharplyandsawthatshewasaswhiteaspaper.
"Mydearchild,whatisit?"heexclaimed.
Shefeltasthoughshemightfaintatanyminute,andsheputherheaddownbetweenherhandstotryandstopthesickness.
Markgaveonelookather,andhurriedawayforsomebrandy.Shedrankitatagulp,andgraduallythefaint-nessworeoff,andshewasonlyawareofthepain.
"I'mallrightnow,"shesaidweakly."Itwasonlythejabmyfootgavewhenyoupulled.Ioughttohavewarnedyou.Nancy'shorsetrodonmeratherheavilyandIthinkmyfoot'sswollen."
"MypoorGina,I'mterriblysorry,"hesaidinconcernedtones.Helookedattheboot."I'mafraidthisisgoingtohurtyou,mydear.Ithinkwe'dbettercutthebootoff."
"Oh,don'truinmyonlypair,"sheprotestedwithasmile."Tryandworkitoffgently,Mark.It'llbeallrightifyou'recareful."
Hebegantoeasethebootgradually,askingherrepeatedlyifshefeltallright,andeventuallyhegotitoff,andthereliefwasimmediate.Heinsistedontakingoffherstockingandlookingatthedamage,andexclaimedinvoluntarilyatthesightofherdiscolouredfoot.Agreatpurplebruisewasspreadingrapidlyacrosstheswolleninstep,andhequicklyrangthebellforJulie'smedicine-chest.
"Youmusthavesufferedtortures,"hesaid."Doyoumeantosayyourodehomeallthatwaywithyourfootinthiscondition?Whyonearthdidn'tyougetNancytogiveyoualift?"
"Idon'tthinkthatsuggestionwouldhavebeenverypopular,"saidGinawithagrin.
"Thatblastedlittlehumbug!"Markexclaimedfuriously."Nothingthematterwithher,andyouinpainallthetime!"Heexaminedthefootmoreclosely,thenbegantoapplycold-watercompresses."You'vebruiseditbadly,butIdon'tthinkthere'sanyseriousharmdone.It'llbeeasieroncewegettheswellingdown."
Graduallythepainsubsidedtoadullthrob,ashebathedandmassagedandfinallybandagedwithapracticalskillwhichwasverysoothing.Thenhepickedherupandcarriedherintotea.
"Where'sSebastian?"sheasked,seeingonlytwocupsonthetray.
"He'sgoneovertotheNeills'.Heleftamessagetosayhewouldn'tbebacktodinner,"saidMark,arrangingacushionforherfoot.
Shewassuddenlyveryquiet,visualizingalongeveningalonewithMarkinthistenderprotectivemood,andwonderingwhichwouldbethegreater,thepainorthepleasure.
Shesat,stretchedoutdrowsilybythefire,thinandsmallinhershabbybreeches,listeningtohispleasantvoiceashetalkedtoher,andpresentlyshegrewsleepywiththewarmthandrelaxationofmindandbody,andfellasleepuntilitwastimetohaveherbath.
Markwatchedhercrossthehall,limpingslightlyasshewent.
"Areyousureyoucanmanage?Youwouldn'tlikemetocarryyou?"heasked.
"No,thanks,I'mallright."
"I'llcomeandbandageyouupagainwhenyou'vehadyourbath."
Thedrawing-roomfirehadnotbeenlighted,sinceJuliewasreturninglate,soafterdinnertheysatinMark'sstudy,guiltilypleasedthat,lefttothemselves,theyhadn't
botheredtochange.Ginacladinanoldwoollenfrock,shuffledaboutinbedroomslippersbecauseshecouldn'tgetashoecomfortablyoverherbandage,andMarklookedatherwithamusement.
"We'reratheraragamuffinpairtonight,aren'twe?"hesaid.
"It'snice,isn'tit?Somuchmorehomely,"shesaid.
Theyglancedacrossateachother,andlaughed,comfortablyawareofanewpleasantintimacy.
"Welikealotofthesamethings,don'twe,Judge?"saidGina,snugglingdeeperintoherchair.
"Yes,"saidMark,andtherewasmomentarysadnessinthebriefmonosyllable.
Shelookedathimswiftly.Hisfacewasinshadow,sothatshecouldn'tseehisexpression,buthishandswerefullinthefirelight,andshewatchedhissensitivefingerscrossanduncrosseachotherashesatstaringintothefire.Oncetheytightenedconvulsively,theknucklesgleamingwhitelyforamoment,andasifsuddenlyawarethathishandsweregivinghimawaytoGina,hefoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.
"Areyouhappiernow,Gina?"heaskedherabruptly.
"Happier?"
"Yes.I'veimaginedyouhaven'tbeenfrightfullyhappyoflate."
Shemadeherusualassertion."Oh,I'mallright.It'sbeenratherabeastlytimethough,hasn'tit?'Fluandbadweatherandthings."
"Is—IhopeJulie'snicetoyounow,"hesaidhesitatingly.
"Oh,yes.Thingsarequitepeaceful.I'msorry,Mark
Itmustbefoulhavingperpetuallysquabblingwomeninyourhouse."
"Mydearchild—!It'sscarcelyyourfault,isit?"hesaidquickly."Yououghtnevertohavelivedtogether,really.I'mafraidJuliehasbecometerriblyvindictiveinherunhappiness.Itmustcomefromunhappiness,ofcourse."
"Ofcourse.Juliewasdesperatelyinlovewithmyfather,youknow,andIdon'tthinkheeverthoughtmuchaboutwomeninthatway.Hewasaqueercrazyperson.Ibelievehewasdevotedtomymother.Eventomewhomhedidlove,hewasoftenveryqueer.Juliemusthavesufferedterribly,withhertemperament."
Helookedatherwithtenderness.HowunresentfulshewasofJulie'sunkindness!
"Weren'tthingsoftenratherdifficultinIreland?"heasked.
"Yes,theywere,butitwasdifferentthere.Onewasyounger,andcouldalwaysget'awayifthehousebecametoohot,"shesaidfrankly."Yousee,SebastianandIwereatschoolmostofthetime,andintheholidaysIthinkJulietriedtobeniceforFather'ssake.Buthenevernoticedthesethingsmuch.Aslongashehadhishobbiesandalittleroughshooting,andabitoffishing,hewasreallyquiteoblivioustowhatwentoninthehouse.Julieoughtnevertohavemarriedhim.HewasjustlikeSebastian,youknow—alwaysdeepinsomenewscheme,andquiteirresponsible.Heneverreallyknewwhathewanted—ifhewantedanything'atall.Ithinkhewashappyjustexisting.Julietookalltheresponsibilityoffhisshoulders,yousee.Ithinkhechieflyappreciatedherforthat,andsheknewit."
"Notverymuchseemstohaveescapedyouasachild,"heobservedwithasmile.
"No.Well,atthatageIthinkoneisnaturallyverycuriousaboutone'selders,"shesaidwithafunnylittlematurenessofspeechthatmadehimlaugh.
"WhatdoyouhonestlythinkofSebastian?"sheaskedsuddenly.
Heglanced'atherwithoutspeaking,thenhesaidcautiously:"Well,IconfessIsometimesfeelalittleworriedabouthim."
Shegaveasharp,impatientsigh."SodoI,"sheadmitted."Idon'tbelievehe'lleversettletoanything."
"Oh,well,he'sonlyaboystill.Hemayshakedownquitewelllateron,"saidMarkreassuringly,butsheshookherhead.
"No.Sebastian'sfeckless.Fatherwasjustthesame—that'swhyweneverhadanymoney,"shereplied."Hehadafixedview-pointaboutmoney—mostlyotherpeople'smoney—andSebastianisthesame,onlytentimesworse.Ihopeyou'llmakehimwork,Mark."
"Youcan'tmakeanyoneworkwhowon't,mydear,"hetoldherkindly."ButI'lldomybest."
"Andthenofcourseyoumustmakemework,"shesaidinamatter-of-factlittlevoice."Butyouwon'thavetodrivemehard.I'mverywilling."
Therewasasilenceduringwhichhewatchedherface,sharplyoutlinedinthefirelight.Theelfinlookwasstronglyapparentinhertiltedeyesandflaminghair,buttherewasaqueer,ratherwearyhintofmaturityinherhigh,delicateforeheadandbitter-sweetmouth.
"You'veneverthoughtofreconsideringyourotherdecision?"heaskedhergently.
Shedidn'tmove."No."
"I'msorry.I'dthoughtthatperhaps—"
"Perhapswhat?"Sheaskedthequestiononasharpintakeofbreath.
"Ithoughtperhapsyoumighthavebecomefondofmeenoughnottomind."
Therewasalittlepause,thensheaskedwithsomedifficulty,"Didyoumeanittobemerely'amarriageofconvenienceonmyside?Imean—wouldyouexpect—"
Wasthatthenthechiefdifficulty?Buthecouldonlybehonest.
"DidyouthinkIwantednothingfromyou,Gina?"hesaidquietly."I'mafraidIneverintendedyoutothinkthatourmarriagewouldbepurelyformal."Helookedstraightather."Thatsortofthinghardlyeveranswers,mydear,andit'snousepretendingthatIwouldexpectnothingonyourside."
Hecouldn'tquiteunderstandherexpressionasshesaid,
"Ithought—Iwasafraid "
"YouwereafraidIshouldexpecttoomuch?"hesaidgently."Isthatwhyyourefusedme,Gina?"
Shelookedathiminsuchamazementthathewasfurtherpuzzled.
"Oh,Mark!Youdon'tknowverymuchaboutme!"shesaidwith'alittlesmile,andatthatmomentSebastiancameexcitedlyintotheroom.
"Hullo,youtwo!Allsnugandwarmbythefire!I'mfrozen,"heexclaimed,andsquattedbetweenthemontherug."Sweenysaysyou'vehurtyourfoot.Isitbad?"
"Justbruised.Thehorseisasagaciousanimalbutheavywithal;thehoofofthehorseisshodwithiron,"saidGinainasing-songvoice.
"Andwhenthehoofofthehorseisshodwithiron,isnotthehatofmyuncleinthehall?"inquiredSebastianearnestly."PooroldGinny!I'mgladitwasn'tme.Mark,I'mspendingalldaytomorrowwiththeNeills.Youdon'tmind,doyou?We'vegotaschemeforamoney-makingconcern."
"Oh!What'sthat?"
"Runningasyncopatedcoffee-stallinPiccadilly.ArthurNeillwouldshakethedrinks—Imeanservethecoffee—Maviswouldsing,andIwouldplayoneofthosesweetlittlecottageuprightsyoucanwheelaboutquiteeasilyonabarrow.Allmyowntunesofcourse.I'dbecomewell-knownthatway."
"I'msureyouwould!"saidMarkdryly,
"No,honestly,Mark,it'sascheme,"Sebastiansaidseriously."WecouldworkinsomethingforGinnyaswell,andthenwe'dbothbeoffyourhands.You'dputupthecapital,ofcourse,butthatwouldn'tbemuch—justenoughtobuythestallandthepianoandthebarrowandthings.You'dsoongetitback.Well—I'mofftobedtofinishmythriller—Good-night,chaps!"
Heleaptup,andhavingkissedhissister,wentoutoftheroom.Theycouldhearhimsingingatthetopofhisvoiceashewentupthestairs.
Markburstoutlaughing."How'sthatforaperfectlyseriousbusinessproposition?"hesaid,butGinalookedunhappy.
"Itwouldbefunnyifhedidn'treallybelieveit,"shesaidalittleshortly."Idon'tseeyouevergettingSebastianfirmlyestablishedinsomeniceneatcityoffice,Judge."
"Well,thereareotherjobs.Weshallhavetoconsider,"hesaideasily,butprivatelyhesawtheyearsstretchingaheadwithSebastianlivingcharminglyathisexpense,andrelievingthemonotonybybecominginvolvedinharebrainedfinancialventuresfromwhichMarkwouldhavetoextricatehim.
"Ishouldn'tworryabouthisfutureyet,anyway,"hesaid.
Shethrewthecigaretteshewassmokingintothefire.Shelookedverytired.
"IthinkI'llgotobedsoon,Mark.I'vehadquiteahardday,"shesaid.
"Isthefoothurting?"heaskedquickly.
"Abit."
Shestoodup,andputherfootgingerlytotheground.
"Ow!It'sgotstifffromsitting,"sheexclaimed,andlimpedpainfullytowardsthedoor.
"Letmecarryyouup,"hesaidatonce.
"No,please,Mark,"shereturnedhastily.
Hewentacrosstoherandpickedherupinhisarms."Don'tbesuchalittlesilly,"hesaid.
Hefeltherwholebodystiffenashecarriedheracrossthehall,thenshesuddenlyrelaxedagainsthim,andherarmtightenedroundhisneck.
ItseemedtoGinaalongwayupthosestairs.Markneverspoke,butwhentheyreachedthedoorofherroom,hepausedbeforeputtingherdown,andlookedintoher
greeneyeswithaqueerlittlesmile.
"Littlesweet,"hesaidsoftly,andkissedher.
II
Thenextmorning,whenGinacamedowntobreakfast,shefoundMarkaloneinthedining-roomstaringoutofthewindowatthedrivingrainwhichhadbeensteadilypouringdownsincedawn.
Heturnedasshecameintotheroom,andsaidratherbrusquely,"Julienevercamehome.Sherangupjustnowtosayshecouldn'tmanagetogetbacklastnight."
Shedidn'tatonceunderstandwhyheshouldbeannoyedaboutit,andshesupposedshemusthavelookedhersurprise,forhesaidquickly:
"Sheoughtn'ttohavedoneitwhensheknewyouwerealoneinthehousewithme.Theservantsmighttalk."
Ginalaughedandsatdownatthetable."Oh,Mark!
Surelythesedays!"sheprotested,helpingherselftocoffee."Ishouldn'tworryabouttheproprieties—besidesSebastian'shere."
"Well,sheshouldhaverunguplastnight,"Markpersisted."Shewon'tbebacknowtilllatetonight.IsupposeSwannismotoringherdown."
Shewassilent,thinkingoftheprospectofadayandanotherlongeveningalonewithMark.Shewonderedifhewasirritatedonthatcount.
"Idontsupposeshethoughtyouwerehere,"shesaidquietly."Wenoneofusexpectedyouthisweek-end."
"Probablyshedidn't.Lord!Thewholesky'scomingdown!I'mafraidyou'llhavetoputupwithmeasasolitarycompaniontoday,Gina.Itdoesn'tlookasifwe'llwanttoleavethehouse."
Shegavehimanobliquelook,butsaidnothing,andhecameandsatdown'atthetable.
"Ineveraskedafterthefoot!"heexclaimedsuddenly."Julieputeverythingoutofmyheadforthemoment.Idohopeit'sgivingyoulesspain."
"Oh,it'sbetter,thanks,"shesmiled."It'sawfullytender,buttheswelling'scompletelygone.I'mgoingtobeallcoloursoftherainbowsoon!"
"Poorchild!I'llbandageitagainafterbreakfast."
Afterbreakfast,GinacurledupwithabookbyMark'sstudyfire,whilehesatathisdeskandwroteletters.
Butshecouldn'tconcentrateonherbook.ShewastooawareofthescratchingofMark'spen,theoccasionalflutterofpaper,theopeningandshuttingofadrawer;allthetinyintimateindicationsofhispresenceintheroom.Hermindkeptgoingbacktolastnight.Howunbearableithadbeentodiscusstheideaofmarriagewithhimagain;whatexquisitetorturetofeelhishandstouchingherfoot,hisarmscarryingherupstairs..."Littlesweet..."Itreallywasn'tfairofMark.
Lunchwasarathersilentmeal.Ginawasillatease,andMarkdidn'thelphermuch.Heseemedengrossedwithhisownthoughts,andwhentheywentbacktothestudyfortheircoffee,hesatstaringintothefireandscarcelyspoke.Later,however,hebecamesuddenlygay,devotingeveryminuteofthe'afternoontoGina'samusement;spoilingher,teasingher,payinghercompliments,sothatbytea-timeshefeltsonervousthatshewasalmostreadytocry.Heseemedtogooutofhiswaytotouchher,findingexcuseinmassagingherfoot,arrangingacushionatherback,tuckingastraypieceofhairbehindherear.Itwasnearlyunbearable.Shesmokedendlesscigarettestogiveherselfsomethingtodo,andwhenthetea-thingshadbeentakenaway,shesatoppositehiminthefirelight,tenseandsilent,lightingonecigarettefromtheother.
Ithadpouredallday,andshewatchedtherainrattlingagainsttheuncurtainedwindow,thewaterrunninginbrightstreamsdowntheglass,caughtbythedancinglightinsidetheroom.
Mark,whohadbeenwatchingher,gotupandtookthecigarettefromherfingers."That'senoughforthisevening,"hesaid,throwingitintothefire."You'llbeanervouswreckifyougoonatthisrate."
"IshallbeanervouswreckifIdon't,"shemuttered,andreachedoutherhandforthesilverbox.
Hecaughtherfingersinhisandstoppedher."No,younaughtychild,you'renottohave'anymore,"hesaidwithasmile."You'reshakingasitis."Heleantoverherandtookherchininhisfingerandthumb."Lookatme,Gina—"
Herendurancesnappedatlast."Don'ttouchmeagain,Mark!"shecried,twistingherbodyoutofhisreachandspringingtoherfeet."Ifyoucomenearmeagainthisevening,I'llgouptomyroomandstaythere."
Heputhishandsinhispocketsandstoodlookingatherinsilence.
"Ican'tbearit—whycan'tyouleavemealone?"shesaid,asifthewordswereforcedoutofher.
"Doyoudislikemeasmuchasallthat?"heaskedquizzically.
Hermouthtrembledsuddenly,andsheabruptlyturnedherbackonhim.Afteranotherlonglookather,hecrossedovertothewindowanddrewthecurtains,theoldbrassringsrunningalongthepolewithafriendlyrattle,thenhecamebacktothefire.
"Gina—"hesaidgently.
"Doyouthinkit'sfairtotreatmelikethis?"Shespokewithherbackstilltowardshim.
"HowhaveItreatedyou?"
"Neverleavingmealone—pretendingtomakelovetome!Andlastnight—Doyouthinkit'sfair?"
Therewasalittlepauseandalogofwoodcollapsedinthegratewithatinycrash,sendingafountainofsparksupthechimney.
"Iwasn'tpretending,"saidMarkquietly.
Sheturnedthen,andhesawherfaceinthefirelight,whiteandpinchedwithmisery,thetearsstreamingfromherstartledeyes.
"Oh,Gina—mypoorsweetheart,"heexclaimed,andamomentlater,withanoddlittlecryofdefeat,shewasinhisarms.
III
HeknewnowwithoutashadowofdoubtthatGinalovedhim.Shereturnedhiskisseswithapassionthatwasallthestrongerbecauseithadbeensolongrepressed,andhefeltallherunhappylonelinessofspiritgoouttomeethisown.
"Youloveme,Gina?"hemurmuredonce.Hewantedtohearhersayit.
"Oh,yes,yes!Iloveyoumorethananythingintheworld,"sheanswered."You'reeverythingthathas'anymeaningforme—everything...."
"DidyoureallyneverthinkImightbeinlovewithyou?"heaskedhercuriously.
Sheliftedherheadtolookathim."No,"shesaidsimply."Areyou?"
"Oh,mydarlingchild!"heexclaimedalittlehelplessly,andtookherfacebetweenhishandstokissheragain."I'velovedyouforsolongnow,Ican'trememberwhenitbegan,"hetoldhertenderly.
Sheclungtohimsuddenly,alittledesperately."Whydidn'tyoutellmebefore?"shecrieddesolately."IfI'donlyknownwhenyouaskedme—Yousee,itwasthedayafterIknewIwasinlovewithyou.Ievenhopedyoumighteventuallyloveme,—andthenyouaskedmetomarryyou,anditwasso—socold-blooded."
"Listen,Gina,wemusttalkthisout,"hesaidgently,andsatdownonthesofa,takingherwithhim.Shetuckedherfeetunderher,andcurledupinthecircleofhisarm.
"Iproposedtoyouinaperfectlyinsanemanner.Isoonrealizedthat.Butyoumusttrytolookatthingsthroughmyeyes.Ihadn'tanideaatthetimethatyoucaredformeinanybutaperfectlyfriendlyway,butIdidthinkthatyoumightbewillingtomarrymeinplaceofajob.Ithought,Iadmit,youwouldhavebeenquitereadytoprovideahomeforSebastian,andIhonestlyimaginedyouwouldmindbeingdependentonmelessifyouweremywifethanifyouhadnolegalclaimonme.We'vebeenatcrosspurposesallthetime.I'm'afraidImusthavecausedyouanawfullotofunnecessarymisery,poorsweet."
"Oh,Mark,itwasghastly,"sheconfided."Ithoughtyouweremerelycarryingdutytoitslogicalconclusion—theEnglishhavesuchqueerideasonthesubject.—Butevenso,IthinkIwouldhavemarriedyouifithadn'tbeenforSebastianandsomethingJulieoncesaid.Yousee,IthoughtthatintimeperhapsImighthavegotyoutolovemeabit,givenafairchance."
"Howlovelyyouare,Gina,"hesaid."Alovelymindandalovelyspirit—WhathadJuliesaidtoyou?"
"Shewarnedmethatyoumightbe—quixotic."
"Andshetoldmethatyoudidn'tcaretuppenceforme."
"Thatwasdevilishofher,"saidGinaquietly,"becauseshemusthaveknown.Anywomanmusthave."
"Well,it'sallovernow,thankGod.Wecanbeginagain,"Marksaidwithagreatsighofthankfulness."Doyouwantmetoproposetoyoualloveragain,darling?"
Shewassuddenlystill,andhefeltherbodystiffen.Hewaited,alittleuncertainof
her,thenshesaidveryquietly:
"I'mnotgoingtomarryyou,Mark."
Helookeddownatherinamazement."What?But,mydarlingchild,that'sallfinishedwithnow,"hesaid,alittlepuzzled.
Shedrewslightlyawayfromhim,andwhenhisarmtightenedroundheratonce,shesaid:
"No,letmego.Iwanttoexplain."Shewasspeakinginaflattonelessvoicenow,andlookingstraightinfrontofher."Whenyouaskedmetomarryyou,youtoldmetotalkitoverwithSebastian."
"Yes.IrealizedafterwardsthatwasabouttherashestthingIcouldhavedone,"heinterposedquietly.
"No.Itwasn't,really,becauseitgavemeanopportunityofseeingexactlywhatyourlifewouldbeifIdidmarryyou.Sebastianhasbeenmydearestcompanionalways,butIcanseehimforwhatheis.Charming,selfish,utterlywithoutmoralobligation.Heonlywantedmetomarryyousothatwecouldbothspongeonyoufortherestofourlives.Icouldn'thavethat"—hervoicebrokesuddenly—"Icouldn'thavesomeonetradingonyourloveformefortheirowninterests."
Heheardhertotheend,thenputhisarmsroundherandliftedherclosetohim."Oh,mydear,don'ttortureyourselfso,"hesaidgently."IknowjustwhatSebastianis—betterthanyoudo,perhaps.Idon'tmind.I'mwillingtogivehimanythingunderthesunfortheprivilegeofmarryinghissister."
Sherestedherheadratherwearilyonhisshoulder."You'resomarvellousyourselfthatyouwouldfeellikethataboutit,"shesaid."Buttomeitmattersmostterribly.Ishouldneverbecompletelyhappyknowingthatyouwerebeingcontinuallyimposedupon."
"Ithinkyouexaggeratealittle,mydarling,"hesaidthen."Afterall,Sebastianwillpresumablyfindsomesortofjobeventually,evenifit'sonlytofulfilhisheart'sdesireandbeapianistinajazzband!"
"He'llneverworkifImarryyou,"shesaid,hervoicesuddenlyhard."Yousaidyourselfthatyoucan'tmakesomeoneworkwhowon't.Sebastianwouldliveonyoufortherestofhislife,andinyourheartyouknowit.Don'tyousee,Mark,itwoulddestroyusall?WhathappinesswouldIhave,knowingyouwerebeingcontinuallyspongedon?WhathappinesswouldSebastianhave,losinghisself-respectandhiswholeself?Itwouldallcomebackonyouintheendandmakeyoumiserable."
"Ithinkyou'reputtingtoofineapointontheethicalsideofthebusiness,"hesaidquietly."Sebastianmightchange—intimehemaymarryhimself,andthenhe'llhavetoattaintosomesortofresponsibility."
"That'saweakargument,"shesaidatonce."You'reonlystatingwhatyouhopemayhappen,notwhatyouknowwillhappen.No,no,Mark."Webothoweyoutoomuchformetocontemplatesuchathing."
Shewriggledoutofhisgrasp,andstoodup,notwantingtobesoclosetohimthatsheknewshemustweaken.
"But,Gina,thisisabsurd!"hecriedindespair."Ican'tthinkyourreasonsaresound,thoughtheyareverymeritorious.YousaidjustnowthathadyouknowninthefirstplacethatIlovedyou,youmighthavemarriedme."Whyshouldthingsbeanydifferentnow?"
"Ididn't.IsaidIwishI'dknown,"shereplied,lookingdownathimunhappily."IadmitIwastemptedbeforeI'dtalkedtoSebastian,butnow—oh,God!Can'tyouunderstand?"
Herespondedimmediatelytothedesperatenoteinhervoice."Iunderstand,butIthinkyou'rewrong,"hesaid."Gina,doyoureallymeantothrowawayyourownhappinessandmineforthesakeofanideal?"
"There'sonlyoneotherway,"shesaidslowly."Youcanbemylover."
Helookedathersteadily,hisheartachingforherinherunhappystruggle.
"Darling,thatwouldn'twork,"hetoldherverygently.
Buttheideagrewinhermindastheironemeansofescape.Shekneltbesidehim,andputherhandinhis."Whynot,Mark?"shesaideagerly."Nooneneedeverknow—itwouldbesoeasy.Couldn'twebehappythatwaywithouthavingtoloseanything?"
Heshookhishead."Youcan'thaveyourcakeandeatit."
"Itwouldn'tbe.Tome,marryingyouwouldbehavingmycakeandeatingit,"shecried."Mark,darling,IloveyousomuchthatIwanttogiveandgive.ButI'venothingtogivebutmyself.I'myoursjustwhenyouwantme.Please,Mark—it'stheobviouswayout."
Hisfingersclosedtightlyoverhers."That'sthemostwonderfulthingyoucouldsaytome,Gina,"hesaid,"butnotpossible."
"Why?"sherepeated,hermindstupidwithunhappiness.
"HowdoyouthinkIshouldfeelputtingyouinsuchaposition—amanofmyage,andachildlikeyou?"heaskedher.
"Agehasn'tanythingtodowithit,"shebrokein.
"Well,butmydear,don'tyouseethatIcouldn'tpossiblybehappytakingeverythingfromyouandgivingyounothing."
"ButyouwouldbegivingmeeverythingIwanted.Iloveyou."
"Sweetheart,youmusttryandunderstand,itjustwouldn'tdo."
"Youmeanyouthinkit'swrong?"
"No,notinitself.Butthereasondoesn'tjustifysuchacourse."
Sheknewofoldshecouldn'twearhimdown,andshebrokeintotired,desperateweeping.
"Ginadear"—hebentoverher,restinghischeekagainstherboweddefeatedhead—"don'thurtusbothsomuch.Can'tyousee,sweet,thatmarriageistheonlywayout?You'retorturingyourselffornothing.Ifeelthisisallsomehowmixedupwithyouroldsensitivenessofbeingdependentonme.Surelyyoudon'tmind,nowweloveeachother."
"Idon'tmindthat—anymore,"shegaspedbetweenhersobs."I'mjustgrateful.ButSebastian'sdifferent—wecan't—"
"Iunderstandwhatworriesyou,butIknowyou'rewrong."
"I'mnot—peoplemustfindthemselves—"
Hecouldn'targuewithheronthesameground."Don'ttryandworkitoutnow.Justsayyou'llmarryme,"hesaidgently,butsheonlysobbed,"Ican't—Ican't —"
Presentlyshegrewquieter,andstoodup,leaningwearilyagainstthemantelpiece.Herfootwasbeginningtoacheratherbadlyagain.
"Well,thisseemstobedeadlock,"Marksaidalittlesadly.
"Mark,won'tyouevergivein?"shepleaded,withonelastattemptatbreakingdownhisresolution.
"No,Gina,"hesaidsteadily.
Shegavealittlehopelessshrug."AndIcan't,"shesaidinexhaustedtones.
"Icandonothingtohelpyou,child.Youmustfightitoutforyourself,"hetoldhergravely.
"Ihave,andIthinkI'mright."
"AndIknowyou'reservingafalseideal."
Shestaredathimdumblywitheyesthatweredark,anddrownedwithtears,thenwithanotherlittleshrugshequietlylefttheroom.
CHAPTERXIV
I
MARKwentbacktoLondonearlythenextmorning,andGinadrovehimtothestation.Theyhadscarcelyspokenontheway,andnowshestoodbesidehimontheplatformlongingfor,andyetdreading,thearrivalofthetrain.Itwascoldandraw,andtheybegantowalkupanddown.
"Haveyoudefinitelyturnedmedown,Mark?"Ginasaidatlast,approachingthesubjectwithdifficulty.
"Isn'titrathertheotherwayround?"hereplied.
"Thenyouwon'tevenconsiderit?"Shewastalkinginstiff,unnaturallittlesentences.
"Mydear,howcanI?"
"Quiteeasilyifyoureallywantme."
"That'snotverykind.I'msufferingeverybitasmuchasyou,Gina—"Hestoodstill,andturnedtolookdirectlyather."Iftherewasagenuinebarriertoourmarriage,Iwouldconsenttoyourbecomingmymistress,butthereasonyouputupasabarcan't,inmy
eyes,possiblyjustifysuchanaction.Pleasetry,mydarlingchild,toseeitfrommypointofview,whichhonestlyistheonlysaneone."
Shestoodlookingattheground,herhandsinthepocketsofheroldtweedcoat."Isee,Mark,"shesaidquietly."Here'syourtrain."
Hefoundanemptycarriage,andstoodleaningoutofthewindowandlookingdownather.Herfaceworethatwhitestonylookheknewsowell.
"Takecareofyourself,"hesaid."Eatpropermealsandrestthatfoot."
"Ialwayseatpropermeals,"shesaidmechanically.
Doorswerebeingslammednow,andheheldouthishand."Onlyaurevoir,"hesaid."I'llbedownnextweekend.Perhapsyou'llhavechanged5rourviewsbythen."
Sheslowlyshookherhead,then,puttingherhandsuddenlyinhis,shesaidurgently:
"Writetome,Mark.PleasewritetomesothatI'llhavejustsomethingofyoutomyself."
Thehardnesshadgonefromherface,leavingityounganddesperateandpinchedwithmisery.
"OfcourseI'llwrite—thisveryday,"hesaidquickly.
"Gina,youpoorchild,IwishIcouldhelpyou—Goodbye,darling—"
Thetrainbegantomove,andshereleasedhishandandstoodmotionless,lookingupthelineuntilthelastcarriagehaddisappearedinthedistance.
Hisletter,whenitcame,waslong,andhehadtriedtogooverthewholesituationagainindetail,butGinarealizedfinallythatshewouldneverconverthimtoherownpointofview,andsheabandonedtheideaofputtingherowncaseagainonpaper.
Theweekdraggedonuneventfully,andonThursdaySebastianreceivedaletterfromasongagentenclosingachequefortwenty-fiveguineas.Theyhadmanagedtoplacetwodancetunesforhim,andheWaswildwithexcitement.
"Didn'tItellyou,Ginny?"hecried,wavingthechequealoft."NowI'lltreatyoutoaholiday,thoughwhyyoucouldn'tletTeacherpaywhenhewasperfectlywillingto,beatsme.Itseemsjustwantonwasteofopportunity."
Ginasmiled."DarlingSebastian!Willyoureallyspenditthatway?There'snothingIshouldlikebetterjustatthismoment."
"Yes,youdolookpeaky—whateverthatmaymean,"saidSebastian."Well,back
toBallyskillenwewillgoandstayaslongasthemoneylasts.Itoughttobeenough,oughtn'tit?"
"Tons,"sheagreed."Why,twenty-fiveguineasisalotofmoney—ordoesonesaytwenty-fiveguineasarealotofmoney?—Anyway,thefarmwascheapenough,andthere'snothingtospenditonwhenyougetthere.It'sreallyonlythefarethat'sexpensive.That'llcostusabouttwentypoundsfortworeturns,whichleavesfivepoundsover.Wecouldstayafortnight."
Theyspenttheirwholetimediscussingwaysandmeansandconsultingmaps.
"Thoughwhywelookatmaps,Ican'tthink.Wearen'tgoingtoexploreIreland,"Ginaremarked.
"Youalwayslookatmapswhenyougotoforeignparts,"saidSebastian."Besides,it'sfun."
OnFriday,GinawaitednervouslyforMark'sarrival,andwhenhecameshesearchedhisfaceanxiously,almostasifshehadexpectedhimtohavechangedsinceMonday.Helookedrathertired,andhisshrewdeyesexaminedherinquiringlywhenhefirstsawher,buthisgreetingwasusualenough,and,althoughshelongedtogotohimandflingherarmsabouthisneck,hernervousnessvanished.
Shetoldhimalmostatonceoftheproposedholiday,andcouldn'tquitemakeouthisexpressionashelistened.
"Juliesayswecango,sothere'snothingtodonowbuttakeourtickets.We'vealreadywrittentotheCaseys.Theytookusinbefore,"shetoldhimexcitedly."Itwillbesolovelytogetbackandawayfromeverything."
"Yes,it'sprobablyaverygoodplanasthingsare,"heagreed."OtherwiseitmighthavebeenwisertohavewaitedtillEasterandsomebetterweather."
"ItalwaysrainsinIrelandanyhow,"saidGina.Shelookedathimalittledoubtfully."Don'tyouwantmetogo,Mark?"
Hehesitated,andstoodjinglinghiskeysinhispocket,withoutlookingather."Itisn'tthatexactly—"hebeganslowly"—butIgettheabsurdfeelingthatwhenyou'reinIreland,Gina,yousomehoweludeme.Itsoundssilly.Ican'texplain—IfeltitwhenIcametofetchyoubackfromBallyskilleninDecember—I'mafraidallthetimeoflosingyou."
Helookedupsuddenly,andsmiledalittleapologetically,andGinafeltthetearsstinghereyes.
"Oh,Mark,"shesaidsoftly."Youneedneverbeafraidoflosingme—never.HowcouldI—"Shestoppedandsuddenlyranovertohimandputherarmsroundhim.
"Ican'tbearyounottotouchme,"shesaid,herlipsagainsthis."Darling,darling,youwon'tstoplovingmebecauseIcan't—"
Foramomentheheldhertohim,thenhegentlydisengagedherhands.
"Swetheart,listentome,"hesaidquietly."Ican'tpossiblymakelovetoyouinmyownhouseifyoudon'tmeantomarryme.Doyouunderstand,Gina?"
Shelookedupathim,hergreeneyeswideningindismay."Buthowcanyouhelpitnowweknowweloveeachother?"sheaskednaively,andhesmiled.
"It'sverydifficultnotto,certainly,"headmitted."Butyoucan'thaveyourcakeandeatit."
"Youtoldmethatlastweek-end,"shesaidquickly."You'reterriblyhard,Mark."
Helookedsuddenlyratherold."Doyouthinkthat'saltogetherfair?YouusedtotellmeIwasjust."
"Ithinkjustpeoplesometimesarehard."
"Gina—allmylifeI'vehadtolookaheadforthefutureratherthanliveinthepresent,"hetoldherafteraslightpause."IthinkyouknowthatIhadnexttonothingasayoungman,andsuchincomeasIhavenowhasonlybeenachievedbyhardworkcoupledwiththefactthatIwasalwayslookingahead.WhenIwouldliketohavemarried,Icouldn'taffordto,andnow—Yousee,thatsortoflifeoftengivesoneareputationforhardness,butI'velearntbynowthatifyoucan'thaveathing,theonlywayistocutitrightout.Isthatbeinghard,doyouthink?"
Shedrewawayfromhim,andheryoungmouthwasstillbitter."Youmayhavelearnttolivethatway,Mark,butIhaven't,"shesaidinaflatvoice."Idon'tthinkthatlife'ssosimplethatonecancheerfullydowithoutanysortofhappinessjustforaprinciple,"
Helookedather,pityingly."Mydear,itisn'tjustaprinciple,"hesaidgently."It'scommonsenseaswell."
"Iunderstand.I'lltrytoremember,"shesaidquietly,andbegandiscussingtheIrishprojectwithhim.
"Twenty-fivepoundsseemsawfullylittletorelyonfortwopeople,"hesaidonce."Iwishyou'dletmesupplementit."
"Guineas,"shecorrectedgravely."Weshallhaveplenty.Don'tspoilit,Mark.It'sthefirsttimewe'veeverpaidforanythingourselves."
"Well,willyoupromisemethatifyougetinanydifficultiesyou'llletmeknow'atonce."
"Ibelieveyou'requiteworriedaboutus,"shesaidwithasmile.
"Iwantthatpromise,Gina,beforeIletyougo,"hesaidseriously.
"It'syours,willingly."
"Nononsenseaboutbeingunderanobligationtome,oranything?"
"I'velearntthatisn'timportant,Mark.Yousee,Iloveyou."
Hislipstightened.Thesituationwasalmostunbearable."I'mgladyounolongermind,"wasallhecouldthinkoftoreply.
II
ItwasdecidedthatSebastianandGinashouldstartonThursday.
Markcametoseethemoffbytheboattrain,andfilledGina'sarmswithmagazinesandchocolates.
"Don'tletSebastianleadyouoffonsomewild-goosechasethistime,"hesaidhalf-seriously."Anddon'tforgetthatpromise,shouldanythinggowrong."
"Whatshouldgowrong?"shesaid,laughing."Youtalkasthoughwe'regoingtotheendsoftheearth!"
"PerhapsyouareasfarasI'mconcerned,"hesaidalittlecryptically."Lookafterher,Sebastian."
"Ginnylooksafterherself,"repliedSebastian.HegotintothetrainandsettledhimselfinacorneroftheircarriagewithaboxofGina'schocolates.
"Gina—you'llletmeknowhowyouare?"Marksaid.
"Ofcourse."
"Often?"
Shenodded,butsuddenlyfeltshecouldn'tspeak.TherewassomethingmomentousinthispartingwithMark.Shewishedsuddenlythatshewasn'tgoing.
"Youwon'tgetillwhileI'maway,willyou?"sheinquiredanxiously.
"I'lltrynotto.Andyou—don'tgofallingintobogsoranythingdangerous."
"Iwon't."
"And,Gina—thinkthingsoveragaininthepeaceandquietnessofyourowncountry,willyou?"
TheystoodtogetherinthenoiseandshiftingmovementofEustonStation.Gina,continuallyjostledbythehurryingpeople,wasawareofnothingbutMark'stallfigure,hisstrong,sensitiveface,hisgreyeyesthatwerejustalittlebitweary,andshefeltherthroatcontractsharply.
"Iwantyoutobehappy,"shecriedinstinctively.
"Youareallmyhappiness,"hesaid.
"Oh,Mark,Iloveyouso."
"Butnotenoughtosinkyourpride."
Shelookedathimwithstartledeyes."Whatdoyoumean?"
"Isn'titaqueersortofpridethatmakesyourefusetoallowSebastianaswellasyourselftobedependentonme?"
"ButI'mthinkingofyou!"sheexclaimed."Iwon'tletyoubemadeuseof,spongedon—hurt."
"Well,thinkitover.—Yououghttogetinnow,mydear.You'reduetostartinthreeminutes."
Theguardwasshoutinghiswarning,doorswereslammed,headsthrustoutofwindows.
GinagaveMarkaquickglance,thenthrewherarmsroundhisneckandhuggedhimpassionately.
"Good-bye,darling,darling,"shesaid,thenreleasinghimabruptly,sheturnedandgotintohercarriage.
"Ifanythinghappenstome,IbequeathDogsbodytoSweeny,"shecalledtoMark.
Hestaredatherwithoutspeaking,thencametothewindowandstoodtherelookingupather.
"Gina—you'llcomeback?—Youpromise?"hecriedwithanoddkindofdespefationinhisvoice.
"OfcourseI'llcomeback!"shesaid,andthetrainbegantomove.Shehungfaroutofthewindow,wavinguntilshehadlongagoceasedtodistinguishhimamongthecrowdofpeopleontheplatform,thenshepulledupthewindow,andsatdownoppositeherbrother.
"We'refree!"shoutedSebastian,hismouthfullofchocolatecreams."We'refreeofthedirtyEnglish!Eringobrah!"
III
Ballyskillenwaswrappedinmistwhentheyarrived,anditremainedlikethatnearlyallthetimetheywerethere.
Everydaytheywalkedformilesthroughthewetheather,thesoftIrishrainfallinggentlyontheirglowingfaces,andtherichpeatcakingtheirboots.Thedayswentby,eachonelikethelast,buttheyneverknewwhatdayitwas—inIrelandthereisverylittlesenseoftime.Theyatewhentheywerehungry,stoppingatanypoorfarmhouseforatasteofpotato-cakeandtea,andsleptlonganddreamlesslyintheirhardlittlebedsatCasey's.
Sebastianwascompletelyhappyforthetimebeing,butGinafeltrestless.Irelandwastoosadacountrytocomfortherinherownsadness,andshewastornwithdoubts'astothewisdomofherdecision.
ShelovedMarksocompletelythattherewasnoroomforthetriviallikesanddislikeswhichwenttomakeupSebastian'slife;andhow,ifshelovedhim,couldsheharbourthekindofpridewhichcouldstandbetweenthem?Yethehadsaidshedidn'tlovehimenoughtosinkthatpride.
Forthefirsttimeshebegantoquerythehonestyofherownmotiveinrefusingtomarryhim.Wasn'therightperhapswhenhehadsaidthatitwaspridewhichmadehershrinkfromallowingherbrotheraswellasherselftobedependentonhim?Unhappilyshearguedwithherself,nightafternight,listeningtothesoftlypatteringrainontheroof,andtheoccasionalplaintivecryofplover.Shemightdenyherselfhappinessforthesakeofafalseideal,butwhatrighthadshetodenyhim?Shewouldrememberhisfacewhenhehadsaid,"Youareallmyhappiness,"andburyherowninherpillowandcryherselftosleep.
Shereceivedfrequentlettersfromhim.Friendly,dispassionatelittlenotescontainingoddscrapsofnewswhichhethoughtmightinteresther.
"JulieistobemarriedonMay8th....DogsbodyhaskilledoneofSweeny'shensunderthedining-roomtable....ThereisarumourthattheEvan-Prattengagementwillbeannouncedshortly...."
Ginasmiledatthis.SoNancyhadgothermanintheend!Shesupposedtheywouldbemarriedinayear'stimewithfullpompandceremonyandthensettledowntoapolitemarriedexistencetogether,withbabiesappearingatdiscreetintervals.
ShehadabriefvisionofherselfaswifetoEvan,andlaughedattheprospect.Shewouldhavehadverylittlesatisfactionoutofgivingtohim.ButbearingchildrentoMarkwouldbeproudandthrilling.Tocreatesomethingforhimfromthepatienceandlabourofherownbodywouldbringtheonlytruesatisfactionofgivingshecouldeverknow,andsherealizedclearlythatbydenyinghimherselfintheonlywayinwhichhewouldtakeher,shewasdenyingthembothallmeaninginlife.
Shepulledapadandpenciltowardsher,andsittingonthefloorbythefire,begantowritealettertoMark....
Sebastiancameinalittlelater,flinginghiswetmackintoshoverachair,andthrewalettertoGina.
"Doyle'scomingtoseeusthisafternoon,"heannounced."He'sawfullysorryhemissedusgoingthroughDublin.Hewantstoputupanewscheme."
Ginalookedupdreamilyfromherpad."Doeshe?Whatabore,"shesaidvaguely."TellMrs.Caseywe'llbeextrathen."
Shebegantoreadoverthelastsheet:
"...soyouseeI'vedecidedyouwererightafterall.I'llmarryyou,Mark,withallmyheart,andifIcangiveyouwhatyouwantmostinlife,myownreasoningwillbeprovedutterlyfalse.Iloveyousomuchthatnothingmattersexceptyourhappiness—nothinginalltheworldbutyou...."
Shewroteafewmorelinesandsignedhername,then,borrowingherbrother'smackintosh,wentoutintothewettopostherletter.
FredDoylearrivedafterlunch,asfreckledandnoisilycheerfulasever,andhegreetedSebastianwitheverysemblanceofdelight.
"Aren'tyoutheveryboyIwaswanting?"heexclaimed,shakinghimwarmlybythehand,"I'veapropositiontoputuptoyou,melad.Tellme,didyougobacktoyourbuksthelasttimeIsawyou?"
"Oh,yes,andIgotthrough,"repliedSebastian."I'mgoinguptoOxfordafterEaster."
"Youare,now?"saidDoyle,franklydisappointed."Isn'tthatthegreatshame?Ihadaneatlittleschemethatwouldmakeusbothsomemoneyand.giveyouachancetowriteyourstuff.Haveyoubeendoinganythingwithitoflate?"
Gina,warmandsnuginhersecretknowledge,listenedcomfortablywhileSebastianspokeofhiswork,andoutlinedhisvaguehopesforthefuture,butshebecamealarmedasthetalkproceeded,andDoyle,describinghispropositionwithawealthof'alluringdetail,foundareadylistenerinherbrother.
Sebastianwasjustbeginningtogetthesmallestdegreeboredwithhisholiday.Hewastiredofcontinualdaysintherainwithnoonebutherselfforcompanion,andhewasalwayscomplainingofthefactthattherewasnopianointhehouseandhecouldn'ttryoutnewcompositions.Doyle,withhiswild-catschemeofrunningasmallrevueinDublin,consistingofhislyrics,Sebastian'smusicandanorchestracomposedofout-of-workIrishmusicians,firedhisimaginationimmediately.
"Allweneedisalittlecapitaltostarttheshow,"Doylefinished."WehavetheoldPlayhousecinemapromisedusatalowrent,andMickBoylewillberesponsiblefortheartistes.IthoughtperhapstheEnglishlawyermightbeinterestedinthefinancialside."
"Markwouldn'tputupanymoneyforthatsortofthing,"Ginasaidimmediately."Itwouldbewasteoftimetoaskhim,Sebastian."
"Idon'tseewhynot,"Sebastianrepliedobstinately."Itsoundsagrandschemetome."
"Itwould,"saidGinasarcastically."Andwhenthenextgrandschemecamealongandyoudecidedyou'dhadenoughofthisone,Markwouldhavelosthismoney."
"Whyshouldhelosehismoney?"demandedDoyletruculently."It'saverygoodbusinessoffer.Weonlyneedtogetstarted,andthemoneywillcomerollingin.He'dgethisownbitbackinlessthanayear."
Ginagavehimaneloquentlook,butsaidnothing,andSebastianbrokeinimpatiently:
"YoualwayspourcoldwateronanyschemeIhaveformakingmoney,Ginny,andthenyouturnroundandcursemewhenItalkofsittingathomeincomfort.Whatdoyouwant?Idon'tknowwhat'shappenedtoyou'atall.Lastsummeryouwereonmysideandtellingmetosticktojazz,andnowyou'vecompletelychanged."
"Well,Markwon'tputupapennyforyou,soyoumayaswellgetitoutofyourhead,"saidGinashortly.
Sebastianflaredup."Andifyouhadn'tbeensuchaselfishbeastyou'dhave
marriedhimandseenthathedidhelpme,"hecried.
Shestaredathim,andwentalittlewhite,thinkingofherlettertoMarknowirrevocablyinthepost.IfSebastianknewwhatwasinthatletter,he'andDoylewouldalreadybetakingMark'ssupportforgranted.Well,hewouldhavetoknowsoon,andthenhermiserywouldbegin.
"Youdosaythemostrottenthings,sometimes,"wasallshesaid.
Doyle,suddenlyawarethattherehadbeensomesortofromancegoingonintheEnglishhousehold,openedhiseyeswidelyandlookedmuchinterested.
"Sure,that'sagreatshame.Theremighthavebeenpickingsforusall,"heremarkedcheerfully.
Sebastiansmiledsuddenly,hisgreeneyesapologetic."I'msorry.Forgetit,Ginny,please,"hesaideasily.
Sebastiansaidnomoretoher,whichshetooktobeabadsign,andonce,duringsupper,heremarkedirrelevantly:
"IfIstayedoverhereandworkedtheycouldn'tdrivemetoOxford."
Ginawaswokenathalf-pastfivethenextmorningbySebastiansittingonherbedinhispyjamasandshakingher.
"Ginny,getup!It'sgoingtobeagrandday,andwemustclimbFand'sHill,"hecried."It'sthefirstmorningithasn'trained."
Shesatup,blinkingsleepilyathim,andlookedoutofthewindow.Itwasonlyjustlight,andthedistanthillswerestillwrappedinmist,butnorainwasfalling,andtheskywasasmoothcloudlesssilver.
"Butwhysofrightfullyearly?"sheobjected,openingherpinkmouthinawideyawn.
"Sothatwe'llseethesunrisefromthetop,"hereplied."We'dnevergetthereintime."
"Well,whatdowecare?It'sthebesttimeofthedayonamountain,anyway.Comeon,Ginny,stiryourself."
Mrs.Caseygavethemacupoftea,beforetheystarted,andagreathunkofsmokybacon."It'sthegrandviewyou'llgetthisday,"shesaidbriskly."An'mindnow,don'tforgettowishwhenyougettothetop.HerselfwillbelisteningtocarryyourwishestotheSidhe.G'Wanwidyousnow,anddon'tletmegetatasteofyousallday."
Theycrossedtheroad,theirmackintoshesrolledandstrappedtotheirbacks,and
plungedintothecoarsegrassandheather.Beforethem,Fand'sHillraiseditslovelyoutline,andlostitspeakinmist.Ittookthemnearlyanhourtoreachthefoot,andtheirfeetweresoakedwithbog-waterwhentheyfinallypausedandrestedbeforetacklingthehill.
"It'sgoingtobelovely!"exclaimedGina,lookingbackthewaytheyhadcome."It'snearlyseveno'clocknow.Howlongdoyouthinktheclimbwilltakeus?"
"Aboutthreehoursup,andtwodown—perhapsless,"Sebastiansaidvaguely."Let'sstart."
Itwashardlymorethanaroughscramblereally.Thelittlemountainwasahillofabouttwothousandfivehundredfeet,anditssidewasmuchwornwiththefeetofmanygenerationswhohadclimbedtothetoptowish.GinaandSebastianreachedthesummitinunderthreehours,andthemisthadlifted,andnowlayinwraith-likewispsbelowthem,waitingforthesuntobreakthrough.
"ThegrandestviewinWicklow!"saidGinawithsatisfaction."Anditis.Look !ThatmustbeGlendaloughdownthere—thatlittlevalley.Youcanseethelakesandthetowerinthetrees."
"AndlookatBallyskillenoverthere,"criedSebastian,pointingawaytotheright."Howminuteitlooks.Thattrainseemslikealittlegrub,'andyetwearen'tsoveryhigh."
Formilesthewildcountrystretchedawaybeneaththemwithitsgrimchainsoflittlehills,thebrownbogpatches,andhereandtherethesteelyflashoflakewater.Farbelow,theycouldseeoneoftheblueandorangewoodencartsbeingloadedupwithpeatandmovingslowlyacrosstheheatherlikeatinypaintedtoy.Ploverswheeled,cuttingthroughthefewdelicatefrondsofmistthatremained,andcryingastheyflew.Ginasuddenlyshivered."It'sterriblylonely,"shesaid,huddlingnearertoSebastianonthemossyboulderwheretheysatresting.Shefeltsuddenlydesolateandalittlefrightened."Irelandisunfriendlysomehow."
"Unfriendly?You'recrazy,Ginny!"laughedSebastian."It'stheonefriendlycountryintheworld.Youcandowhatyoulike,knowwhoyoulike,andgetawelcomeanywhere."
"Yes.Thatwasn'treallywhatImeant,"shesaid,andgaveherselfalittleshake.
"Wemustwish,"saidSebastianseriously."WhatdidoldmotherCaseysay?Herselfwouldcarryourwishestothefairies.Comeon,Ginny,standupandconcentrate."
Theystoodtogetherhand-in-handintheunbrokensilence,andGinawishedwithpassionateintensitythatshehaddonetherightthinginacceptingMark.
Sebastianflungouthisarmswithagreatshoutthatstartledechoesoutofthehills.
"Iwishedformoney!"hecried."Lovelysilvermoney!Whatwasyours?"
"Oh,youmustn'ttell!"Ginaexclaimedseriously."Youwon'tgetyourwish,Sebastian,you'vebrokentherules!"
"Oh,well,whatdoIcare?"hereturnedcarelessly.
"Otherpeople'smoneyisasgoodasyourown.Better—theyhavethebotherofitandyouhavethefun."
Gina'sspiritwaveredforamoment,thenshesaidquietly."Imightaswelltellyounow,Sebastian.I'vedecidedtomarryMarkafterall."
"What?Haveyoureallyandhonestly?Ginny,youlittledarling!"criedSebastian,delighted."It'salldefinitelyfixedup?"
"IwrotetoMarkyesterday.Ishan'tbackout,ifthat'swhatyoumean."
"Oh,darling—marvellous!Nowwe'venomorecaresinthewholeworld.Yousee,Ginny,Iamgettingmywishafterall.PerhapsMarkwilllistentoDoyle'sschemenow."
Heburstintoafloodofexcitedsentences,punctuatedwithhugsforGina.Heclearlythoughtshehaddonethissolelytoobligehim.ShouldshetryandtellhimwhatMarkactuallymeanttoher,shewondered,anddecidedagainstit.Notnow,whenhismindwasfilledwithsomanyotherthings.
"Sebastian—willyoudosomethingforme?"sheaskedonimpulse.
"Ofcourse,Ginnydarling.Anythingintheworld!"herepliedjoyously.
"Willyoupromisenotto—totakeadvantageofMark,throughme?"
"Howdoyoumean?"
"Well—you'llgotoOxfordanddowhathewantsyouto,won'tyou?Imean—givehimsomereturnforhismoney."
Sebastian'seyestiltedinsuddenmirth."Imustn'tbealittlespongeriswhatyoureallymean,"hegrinned."PoorGinny—Iwon'tmuckyourchancesagain,darting.I'llbeaholysaintofGod,andI'llpaytheJudgeback,what'smore—that'sifIeverhaveanymoneythatisn'this.Becauseitwouldn'tbemuchcomplimenttohimtohandhimbackhisowncashwithanoblegesture,wouldit?"
Shelaughedsuddenly,andhuggedhim."It'snouseevertalkingtoyou,"shesaid."Let'sstartdownagain,it'scolduphere.WhatdidoldCaseysay?—Comedownthesidebeyantandstepaisyonthegrass."
Theybeganthedescent,whichwasrathersteep,andSebastian,whowasnowin
highspirits,startedtocomposecomicsongsashewentalong.Theywereobligedtostopseveraltimesandleanagainstaboulder,tooweakwithlaughtertoproceed.OnceortwiceGinaslipped,andhadtoclutchatcoarsetuftsofgrasstopreventherselffromslidingwiththelooseshalewhichrattleddownthehillasitwasdisturbed.Oncetheyhadtobereallycarefulinroundinganoverhangingpieceofrock,butforthemostparttheirpathwaseasyenough,andpresentlytheycametotheshoulderofthelittlemountain,where,onthisside,shortslipperygrassslopedsharplyawaytotheirright,endinginasheerdroptotheboggygroundbelow.
"Stepaisyonthegrass!"laughedGina."Thisiswherewetoboggan,ifwearen'tjollycareful."
"It'sdamnslippery,"agreedSebastianashefollowedhercautiouslydowntheroughpath.
Ginaturnedroundtowatchhim.Hehadstartedonanothersong,standingstillandgesturingfantastically.
"Isaidtothechap:'Mygoodfeller,
Yourbreeksareatrociouslycut—'"
Heflungouthisarmsatthelastwords,losthisbalanceandslippedovertheedgeofthepathontothesteepgrassyslope,whichbecamelikeglassbeneathhisfeet.
"Ginny!—Oh,God!"hescreamed,andbegantoslide,hisincreasingpaceuncheckedbyhisfranticeffortstosustainafoothold.Stiffwithhorror,shewatchedhimreachtheedge,andheardhisagonizedvoice.
"Ginny....Ginny...."Shesawhimslipintospace,andbecameawareofavastunbrokenstillnesswhichbeatuponherearsinwaves....
Shedidn'tknowhowlongafterwardsitwasthatshetookoffherbootsandcrawled,sobbingpainfully,downthattreacherousgrassslope,digginghertoesandfingersintothesoftearthforsupport.Butwhenshelookedovertheedge,therewasnothinglivingtobeseen,buttheblueandorangecartreturningslowlyfoxitsfreshload.
IV
GinastoodonthelittleriseintheboggyturfwheresheandSebastianhadfirstlookedacrosstothelow-lyinghillsandfoundBallyskillensobeautiful.Itwasstillbeautiful,butshehopednevertoseeitagain,andsheknewthatinleavingforEnglandtoday,shewasturningherbackonIrelandforever.Markwastakingherhome,andglancingoverhershoulderatthesoundofafootstepsquelchinginthepeat,shesawhimcomingtowardsherthroughthegrass.
Hestoodbesideher,andputanarmroundhershoulders."Wemustbegettingbacksoon,sweetheart.Ourtraingoesinanotherhour,"hesaid.
Beforethem,inthedistance,Fand'sHillrose,darkandlovely,andGinashiveredviolently.
"Let'sgonow,"shesaid.Butshedidn'tmoveatonce,andpresentlyaddedinconsequently,"Ofcourseitwasafaeryhill."
Hisarmtightenedabouther,andshebegantospeakabruptly:
"Mark—IwanttosaybeforewegothatI'mterriblygladIwroteyouthatletterbefore—before—doyouunderstand?"
"Iunderstand,"hesaidgently."Ifeeljustthesame,Gina—Ihaven'ttoldyouyethowwonderfulyourletterwastome.Canyoubeartothinkofmealittle?"Sheturnedtohimswiftly.
"Ithinkofyouallthetime,"shesaidinalowvoice."Allthetime,evenwhenIremember....Mark—isitwickedtocaresomuchwhensomeoneyou'velovedallyourlifeisdead?Doesitmatterlookingaheadandwantingtobehappy?"
Hetookherintohisarms,shieldinghergazefromthedistanthills.
"No,ofcoursenot,child,"hesaidalittleroughly."It'stheonlywaytosanity.Noonewantstoforget,butmemorymustbecalm,nottortured.Youcanonlyachievethatbybeinghappy."
"Iloveyousoterribly,Mark.IlovedSebastian,butifithadbeenyou—"
Heheldhergently,protectively,thatcrythatotherwomenhadmadebeforeher,sweetinhisears,"...ifithadbeenyou..."Heturnedherfaceuptohisandkissedher,andasshesawtheexpressioninhistiredeyes,sheflungherarmsroundhisneckwiththegenerousgesturehelovedsowell.
"Let'sgo,"shesaidatlast.
Itbegantorainastheyreachedthevillage—thesoftfinerainofIreland,which
makesscarcelyasound—andGinaturned,impelledbysomehiddenimpulsetolookback.
Butathickcurtainofmisthadfallen,blottingoutthehills,andtherewasnothingtosee.