"Do I look it?"she asked.And I confessed that she didn't.Indeed,all ghosts were laid,nor was there about her the slightest evidence of mourning or regret.One was forced to acknowledge her perfection in the part she had chosen as the arbitress of social honours.The candidates were rapidly increasing;almost every month,it seemed,someone turned up with a fortune and the aspirations that go with it,and it was Mrs.
Durrett who decided the delicate question of fitness.With these,and with the world at large,her manner might best be described as difficult;and I was often amused at the way in which she contrived to keep them at arm's length and make them uncomfortable.With her intimates--of whom there were few--she was frank.
"I suppose you enjoy it,"I said to her once.
"Of course I enjoy it,or I shouldn't do it,"she retorted."It isn't the real thing,as I told you once.But none of us gets the real thing.
It's power....Just as you enjoy what you're doing--sorting out the unfit.It's a game,it keeps us from brooding over things we can't help.
And after all,when we have good appetites and are fairly happy,why should we complain?""I'm not complaining,"I said,taking up a cigarette,"since I still enjoy your favour."She regarded me curiously.
"And when you get married,Hugh?"
"Sufficient unto the day,"I replied.
"How shall I get along,I wonder,with that simple and unsophisticated lady when she appears?""Well,"I said,"you wouldn't marry me."She shook her head at me,and smiled....
"No,"she corrected me,"you like me better as Hams'wife than you would have as your own."I merely laughed at this remark....It would indeed have been difficult to analyze the new relationship that had sprung up between us,to say what elements composed it.The roots of it went back to the beginning of our lives;and there was much of sentiment in it,no doubt.She understood me as no one else in the world understood me,and she was fond of me in spite of it.
Hence,when I became infatuated with Maude Hutchins,after that Sunday when she so unexpectedly had refused me,I might have known that Nancy's suspicions would be aroused.She startled me by accusing me,out of a clear sky,of being in love.I denied it a little too emphatically.
"Why shouldn't you tell me,Hugh,if it's so?"she asked."I didn't hesitate to tell you."It was just before her departure for the East to spend the summer.We were on the balcony,shaded by the big maple that grew at the end of the garden.
"But there's nothing to tell,"I insisted.
She lay back in her chair,regarding me.
"Did you think that I'd be jealous?"
"There's nothing to be jealous about."
"I've always expected you to get married,Hugh.I've even predicted the type."She had,in truth,with an accuracy almost uncanny.
"The only thing I'm afraid of is that she won't like me.She lives in that place you've been going to so much,lately,--doesn't she?"Of course she had put two and two together,my visits to Elkington and my manner,which I had flattered myself had not been distrait.On the chance that she knew more,from some source,I changed my tactics.
"I suppose you mean Maude Hutchins,"I said.
Nancy laughed.
"So that's her name!"
"It's the name of a girl in Elkington.I've been doing legal work for the Hutchinses,and I imagine some idiot has been gossiping.She's just a young girl--much too young for me.""Men are queer creatures,"she declared."Did you think I should be jealous?"It was exactly what I had thought,but I denied it.
"Why should you be--even if there were anything to be jealous about?You didn't consult me when you got married.You merely announced an irrevocable decision."Nancy leaned forward and laid her hand on my arm.
"My dear,"she said,"strange as it may seem,I want you to be happy.Idon't want you to make a mistake,Hugh,too great a mistake."I was surprised and moved.Once more I had a momentary glimpse of the real Nancy....
Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Ralph Hambleton....
XIV.
However,thoughts of Maude continued to possess me.She still appeared the most desirable of beings,and a fortnight after my repulse,without any excuse at all,I telegraphed the George Hutchinses that I was coming to pay them a visit.Mrs.George,wearing a knowing smile,met me at the station in a light buck-board.
"I've asked Maude to dinner,"she said....
Thus with masculine directness I returned to the charge,and Maude's continued resistance but increased my ardour;could not see why she continued to resist me.
"Because I don't love you,"she said.
This was incredible.I suggested that she didn't know what love was,and she admitted it was possible:she liked me very,very much.I told her,sagely,that this was the best foundation for matrimony.That might be,but she had had other ideas.For one thing,she felt that she did not know me....In short,she was charming and maddening in her defensive ruses,in her advances and retreats,for I pressed her hard during the four weeks which followed,and in them made four visits.Flinging caution to the winds,I did not even pretend to George that I was coming to see him on business.I had the Hutchins family on my side,for they had the sense to see that the match would be an advantageous one;I even summoned up enough courage to talk to Ezra Hutchins on the subject.
"I'll not attempt to influence Maude,Mr.Paret--I've always said Iwouldn't interfere with her choice.But as you are a young man of sound habits,sir,successful in your profession,I should raise no objection.
I suppose we can't keep her always."
To conceal his emotion,he pulled out the watch he lived by."Why,it's church time!"he said....I attended church regularly at Elkington....
On a Sunday night in June,following a day during which victory seemed more distant than ever,with startling unexpectedness Maude capitulated.
