"Dear child, I promised you shouldn't be disturbed, whatever happened, but Tony has been telephoning for the sixth time to-day. Poor boy! He's very anxious about you. Don't look so cynical2! If your face should ever settle into lines like that, your beauty would be gone! This time he wanted to know if you're better for your long sleep, and if you can see him."
"No, I can't, mother! Not till something's decided3. I simply can't act to-night if I have to go through another scene with him."
"Oh, I'm not suggesting it, pet! I merely wanted to know what I should say to poor Tony. I told him that I'd call him up and give him his answer when you were free."
Marise started. "Did you say who was here with me?"
"Ye-es, I thought it would be best. I imagined you must be very sure the man was—the one we're in search of."
The girl shivered. "Marise in Search of a Husband! We never expected it would come to that with me, did we, Mums? But anyhow, I hadn't to search far. That's one consolation4! I was snapped up the minute I appeared in the show window."
"Well, Tony was wrong about that Garth man, then!"
"Yes, he was wrong. I must write and let him know why Garth came—unless you told him why?"
"I said only what I dared say through the telephone. You know how careful I am of anything that concerns you. What I told him was, 'Major G——' (not even Garth!) 'has come to talk over that proposition you thought he wouldn't accept. His staying so long makes me fancy he may be accepting after all.' That is every word."
"Good! I shan't need to write! Please 'phone again, Mums, and explain that I don't feel as if I could see Tony till after the theatre. He may come to my dressing-room a few minutes then, if he likes. You can bring him in. I won't be alone with him for an instant! Tell him that I talked with Garth, who's inclined to accept. But I left it to him—Tony—to make matters clear, and he must telephone Garth for an appointment at the Belmore—not the Waldorf."
"Severance5 to go to Garth! He'll refuse——"
"Then the whole thing is off!" Marise threw out her arms in a gesture of exasperation6. "He can take the offer or leave it."
Mary said no more, but flew to the 'phone in her own room, with the door shut between. Presently she came back. "Tony has consented," she announced. "Another proof of his great love!"
Never had Lord Severance felt that he appeared to less advantage than when he was shown into the Bounder's sitting-room7 at the Belmore Hotel. He held himself very straight, however, and was every inch an Ancient Greek, if not an English earl.
Garth had been engaged in writing a letter and puffing8 smoke over it from a meerschaum pipe some shades browner than his face.
At sight of Severance, and the sound of his name deformed10 by a page-boy, the big man rose, topping his tall guest in height and erectness11.
"Well?" was his only greeting, as the door closed. He pushed a box of cigarettes across the table. "Those are the smokes you prefer, I believe."
"Thanks. I have my own. And my own matches."
"All right." Garth continued to puff9 at his pipe.
"You have seen Miss Sorel, I understand."
"That is so."
"She—or rather Mrs. Sorel—'phoned me that—er—though you'd had some conversation, the—affair hadn't been entirely12 explained to you. That's as it should be. It's my business, and my place, to explain it."
"Fire away. Do you want to sit down?"
"I prefer to stand."
"My sentiments!"
Severance lit a cigarette, and took some time in the process.
"It's rather a long story," he drawled, not with a conscious desire to put on airs, but because his wasn't an easy task, with that bounder's yellow eyes pinning him down, never off his face for a second.
"I'm afraid, to make you understand and prevent your doing an injustice13 to Miss Sorel, I'll have to bore you, in beginning, with a short résumé of my personal history."
"Spit it out. Though you needn't fear my doing that lady an injustice. It would take something worse than a lack of tact14 on your part, or any man's, to make me such a fool."
"Glad you feel so about it"
"So am I. Shoot!"
Thus prodded15 without ceasing, Severance began the tale. He told about his half-uncle, and his half-uncle's daughter. Whether it was ?none's state of invalidism16 or the state of her affections which drew from Garth, a grunt17 of "Poor girl!" Tony was not sure. But, in the circumstances, the less notice he took of disturbing trifles the better. He stated his case with as much care as if he had been pleading in court, as his own defender18. In fact, he had rehearsed some sentences hastily on his way from the Waldorf to the Belmore. Yet those eyes of Garth's were as disconcerting as the watchful19 eyes of an uncaged panther, alleged20 to be tame. Severance forgot the words he had thought of, and had to substitute others not so effective. With the most earnest wish to cut the best figure possible, for dear dignity's sake, he felt himself floundering more than once. At least, however, he did not break down. Somehow he got to his goal, and knew that even a boor21 like Garth could not fail to see what—if he took on the job—was required of him.
"So that's that!" Tony finished, and threw away his cigarette.
He had not been looking at the other man much as he talked. It was easier and pleasanter not to do so; but, despite Garth's silence (not once had he interrupted with a question or exclamation), Severance wasn't quite sure how this type of fellow would act in the circumstances.
Of course, the bare hint that he might accept such a part would be the last of insults to a proud man—a gentleman. Garth, however, was merely a "temporary gentleman," and probably hadn't saved a sou. To a person of his sort, a million dollars would be a dazzling bribe22. Still, the brute23 had an ugly temper, as he had shown once or twice in the past, and he was capable of violence. Tony was doubtful, still, how to take him. Common as the Bounder was, his brother officer had vaguely24 placed him a peg25 above this level. The black eyes made a sudden effort to dominate the yellow-grey ones and read their secret, in order—if need be—to ward26 away a blow.
But there was no such need, it seemed. Garth stood with feet apart, always doggedly27 puffing at his pipe, hands thrust deep in pockets. He had produced a cloud of smoke as dense28 as that which emanated29 from a Geni of the Lamp, and Severance could not pierce to his expression.
For a minute neither spoke30. Then Garth brought forth31 from the depths a hand, removed the meerschaum from his mouth, and, having knocked out the ash, lovingly laid the pipe on the mantelpiece.
Severance stood alert, prepared for what might come. But nothing came.
"What did Miss Sorel say about me?" Garth bluntly questioned. "I mean yesterday or to-day."
"We have scarcely mentioned you when we were together. I told you it was her mother who telephoned me. There has been no other communication on the subject. I hope I've made it plain to you that Mrs. Sorel approves this plan."
"Plain as a pikestaff. She would approve of it, or any plan of yours. I should judge she's that kind of a person. She thinks her daughter born for the English aristocracy and millions. Then I'm to understand that the ladies gave you no reason for believing me the man—to take this on?"
"They went into no details. Miss Marks may have led them——"
"We can drop the subject. All I wanted to know is what they said, not what they thought. Well, a million dollars is quite a wad! And every man has his price. I'd do a lot for a million. But in this case——"
"Yes?"
"I ask you to raise your bid if you wish to buy yours truly."
"Oh, if it's a question of a few thousands——"
"It isn't. I'll take the rest of the payment in another medium. Not money. And I want it in advance."
"What d'you want?"
"You're a boxer32, I believe?"
"Not bad."
"Heavy-weight, of course!"
"Yes."
"So am I. Jim Jackson trained me, and taught me most of what I know."
"Ah! I've heard of him."
"Most men have."
"What are you leading up to?"
"My advance payment for the job. I take it on only upon that one condition."
"I don't fully33 understand."
"Well, as I just said, a million's quite a wad, and I, like every man, have my price. Also, I've my pride. Now, you don't know the reasons I may have for deciding to pocket that pride at the same time with your millions. Take it that they're mercenary. What does it matter to you? But even a gilded34 pill slips down easier in jam. The jam I want is a round or two with you, man to man, no gloves. Now d'you understand?"
"You want to fight me?"
"A little round, I said. We ought to be pretty evenly matched."
"It seems to me a very childish idea," said Severance.
"May be it is. But it's my idea. And those are my terms. Refuse or accept."
Severance fingered his moustache in the way he had. "When do you want to do this damned fool thing, and in what circumstances?" he hedged.
"Now. Circumstances those of the present minute. We can take off our coats. I suppose you don't wear corsets?"
Severance deigned35 no answer to this taunt36. He thought hard for an instant. He was a good boxer, and had been complimented before the war by Carpentier himself. Garth was unlikely to be his equal. If the ass37 wanted to work off steam and save his beastly face this silly way, let him!
"If I consent to fight, you consent to—er——"
"Yes, whether you or I get the best of this."
"Done, then!"
They tore off their coats, collars, neckties, and waist-coats. Garth had a sullen38, ugly grin on his face as he pushed back the table and cleared the room. Severance did not know what to make of the man, but had confidence in himself.
Two hours later the telephone-bell rang in Mrs. Sorel's room. She was putting on hat and coat to go to the theatre with Marise, but she ran to take up the receiver.
"Is that your voice, Lord Severance—Tony? Why, I wasn't sure at first," she answered an indistinct murmur39 at the other end. "You sound different, somehow! What? You've had a fall? Loosened a front tooth? Oh, my poor dear boy—your beautiful white teeth! Marise will shed tears. Of course, you mustn't leave your rooms to-night.... Indeed, you must be sure he's the best dentist in New York. He'll fix you up in no time.... Why, yes, I suppose I can run in, without Marise, just for a minute ... if it would comfort you at all.... The man Gar—said 'yes'? Well, that's a consolation! You settled the whole thing before your accident? But you'll tell me the story when I come."
For the first time, Garth did not go to the theatre that night. Never had he felt more physically40 fit, but he did not wish to see Marise. He felt that he would not be master of himself, through her "great scene" in the last act. He would want to spring on the stage and choke her. As he thought this, he looked at his knuckles41. They were cracked and bruised42, but the sight did not displease43 him. He stretched out his arms wide in a sweeping44 gesture, his hands spread palm upwards45.
"God!" he said. "I've got my chance. To punish him. To punish her, too. Why not? The devil knows how well she deserves it. And yet—I don't know. We shall see!"
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1
suite
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| n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员 | |
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2
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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3
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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4
consolation
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| n.安慰，慰问 | |
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severance
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| n.离职金；切断 | |
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exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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7
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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8
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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10
deformed
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| adj.畸形的；变形的；丑的，破相了的 | |
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11
erectness
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| n.直立 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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15
prodded
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| v.刺，戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
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16
invalidism
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| 病弱，病身； 伤残 | |
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17
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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18
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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boor
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| n.举止粗野的人；乡下佬 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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25
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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26
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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28
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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29
emanated
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| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的过去式和过去分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
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30
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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32
boxer
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| n.制箱者，拳击手 | |
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33
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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34
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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35
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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37
ass
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| n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人 | |
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38
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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39
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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40
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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41
knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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42
bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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43
displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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44
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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45
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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