按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
very clear to herself。 At Havre they parted from Mr。
Somerset； and did not see him again till they were driving
over the hills towards Etretat in a carriage and four； when
the white umbrella became visible far ahead among the outside
passengers of the coach to the same place。 In a short time
they had passed and cut in before this vehicle； but soon
became aware that their carriage； like the coach； was one of a
straggling procession of conveyances； some mile and a half in
length； all bound for the village between the cliffs。
In descending the long hill shaded by lime…trees which
sheltered their place of destination； this procession closed
up； and they perceived that all the visitors and native
population had turned out to welcome them； the daily arrival
of new sojourners at this hour being the chief excitement of
Etretat。 The coach which had preceded them all the way； at
more or less remoteness； was now quite close； and in passing
along the village street they saw Mr。 Somerset wave his hand
to somebody in the crowd below。 A felt hat was waved in the
air in response； the coach swept into the inn…yard； followed
by the idlers； and all disappeared。 Paula's face was crimson
as their own carriage swept round in the opposite direction to
the rival inn。
Once in her room she breathed like a person who had finished a
long chase。 They did not go down before dinner； but when it
was almost dark Paula begged her aunt to wrap herself up and
come with her to the shore hard by。 The beach was deserted；
everybody being at the Casino； the gate stood invitingly open；
and they went in。 Here the brilliantly lit terrace was
crowded with promenaders； and outside the yellow palings；
surmounted by its row of lamps； rose the voice of the
invisible sea。 Groups of people were sitting under the
verandah； the women mostly in wraps； for the air was growing
chilly。 Through the windows at their back an animated scene
disclosed itself in the shape of a room…full of waltzers； the
strains of the band striving in the ear for mastery over the
sounds of the sea。 The dancers came round a couple at a time；
and were individually visible to those people without who
chose to look that way； which was what Paula did。
'Come away； come away！' she suddenly said。 'It is not right
for us to be here。'
Her exclamation had its origin in what she had at that moment
seen within； the spectacle of Mr。 George Somerset whirling
round the room with a young lady of uncertain nationality but
pleasing figure。 Paula was not accustomed to show the white
feather too clearly； but she soon had passed out through those
yellow gates and retreated； till the mixed music of sea and
band had resolved into that of the sea alone。
'Well！' said her aunt； half in soliloquy； 'do you know who I
saw dancing there； Paula？ Our Mr。 Somerset； if I don't make a
great mistake！'
'It was likely enough that you did；' sedately replied her
niece。 'He left Caen with the intention of seeking
distractions of a lighter kind than those furnished by art；
and he has merely succeeded in finding them。 But he has made
my duty rather a difficult one。 Still； it was my duty； for I
very greatly wronged him。 Perhaps； however； I have done
enough for honour's sake。 I would have humiliated myself by
an apology if I had found him in any other situation； but； of
course； one can't he expected to take MUCH trouble when he is
seen going on like that！'
The coolness with which she began her remarks had developed
into something like warmth as she concluded。
'He is only dancing with a lady he probably knows very well。'
'He doesn't know her！ The idea of his dancing with a woman of
that description！ We will go away tomorrow。 This place has
been greatly over…praised。'
'The place is well enough； as far as I can see。'
'He is carrying out his programme to the letter。 He plunges
into excitement in the most reckless manner； and I tremble for
the consequences！ I can do no more： I have humiliated myself
into following him； believing that in giving too ready
credence to appearances I had been narrow and inhuman； and had
caused him much misery。 But he does not mind； and he has no
misery； he seems just as well as ever。 How much this finding
him has cost me！ After all； I did not deceive him。 He must
have acquired a natural aversion for me。 I have allowed
myself to be interested in a man of very common qualities； and
am now bitterly alive to the shame of having sought him out。
I heartily detest him！ I will go backaunt； you are rightI
had no business to come。 。 。 。 His light conduct has rendered
him uninteresting to me！'
III。
When she rose the next morning the bell was clanging for the
second breakfast； and people were pouring in from the beach in
every variety of attire。 Paula； whom a restless night had
left with a headache； which； however； she said nothing about；
was reluctant to emerge from the seclusion of her chamber；
till her aunt； discovering what was the matter with her；
suggested that a few minutes in the open air would refresh
her； and they went downstairs into the hotel gardens。
The clatter of the big breakfast within was audible from this
spot； and the noise seemed suddenly to inspirit Paula； who
proposed to enter。 Her aunt assented。 In the verandah under
which they passed was a rustic hat…stand in the form of a
tree； upon which hats and other body…gear hung like bunches of
fruit。 Paula's eye fell upon a felt hat to which a small
block…book was attached by a string。 She knew that hat and
block…book well； and turning to Mrs。 Goodman said； 'After all；
I don't want the breakfast they are having： let us order one
of our own as usual。 And we'll have it here。'
She led on to where some little tables were placed under the
tall shrubs； followed by her aunt； who was in turn followed by
the proprietress of the hotel； that lady having discovered
from the French maid that there was good reason for paying
these ladies ample personal attention。
'Is the gentleman to whom that sketch…book belongs staying
here？' Paula carelessly inquired； as she indicated the object
on the hat…stand。
'Ah； no！' deplored the proprietress。 'The Hotel was full when
Mr。 Somerset came。 He stays at a cottage beyond the Rue
Anicet Bourgeois： he only has his meals here。'
Paula had taken her seat under the fuchsia…trees in such a
manner that she could observe all the exits from the salle a
manger； but for the present none of the breakfasters emerged；
the only moving objects on the scene being the waitresses who
ran hither and thither across the court； the cook's assistants
with baskets of long bread； and the laundresses with baskets
of sun…bleached linen。 Further back towards the inn…yard；
stablemen were putting in the horses for starting the flys and
coaches to Les Ifs； the nearest railway…station。
'Suppose the Somersets should be going off by one of these
conveyances；' said Mrs。 Goodman as she sipped her tea。
'Well； aunt； then they must；' replied the younger lady with
composure。
Nevertheless she looked with some misgiving at the nearest
stableman as he led out four white horses； harnessed