All this, and the tearful eyes and coaxing yet trembling voice, was hard to resist.But Aubertin saw clearly, and stood firm.He put his handkerchief to his eyes a moment: then took the pining young mother's hand."And, do you think," said he, "I do not pity you and love your boy? Ah! he will never want a father whilst I live; and from this moment he is under my care.I will go to see him; I will bring you news, and all in good time; I will place him where you shall visit him without imprudence; but, for the present, trust a wiser head than yours or Rose's; and give me your sacred promise not to go to Frejus."Weighed down by his good-sense and kindness, Josephine resisted no longer in words.She just lifted her hands in despair and began to cry.It was so piteous, Aubertin was ready to yield in turn, and consent to any imprudence, when he met with an unexpected ally.
"Promise," said Rose, doggedly.
Josephine looked at her calmly through her tears.
"Promise, dear," repeated Rose, and this time with an intonation so fine that it attracted Josephine's notice, but not the doctor's.It was followed by a glance equally subtle.
"I promise," said Josephine, with her eye fixed inquiringly on her sister.
For once she could not make the telegraph out: but she could see it was playing, and that was enough.She did what Rose bid her; she promised not to go to Frejus without leave.
Finding her so submissive all of a sudden, he went on to suggest that she must not go kissing every child she saw."Edouard tells me he saw you kissing a beggar's brat.The young rogue was going to quiz you about it at the dinner-table; luckily, he told me his intention, and I would not let him.I said the baroness would be annoyed with you for descending from your dignity--and exposing a noble family to fleas--hush! here he is.""Tiresome!" muttered Rose, "just when"--
Edouard came forward with a half-vexed face.
However, he turned it off into play."What have you been saying to her, monsieur, to interest her so? Give me a leaf out of your book.
I need it."
The doctor was taken aback for a moment, but at last he said slyly, "I have been proposing to her to name the day.She says she must consult you before she decides that.""Oh, you wicked doctor!--and consult HIM of all people!""So be off, both of you, and don't reappear before me till it is settled."Edouard's eyes sparkled.Rose went out with a face as red as fire.
It was a balmy evening.Edouard was to leave them for a week the next day.They were alone: Rose was determined he should go away quite happy.Everything was in Edouard's favor: he pleaded his cause warmly: she listened tenderly: this happy evening her piquancy and archness seemed to dissolve into tenderness as she and Edouard walked hand in hand under the moon: a tenderness all the more heavenly to her devoted lover, that she was not one of those angels who cloy a man by invariable sweetness.
For a little while she forgot everything but her companion.In that soft hour he won her to name the day, after her fashion.
"Josephine goes to Paris with the doctor in about three weeks,"murmured she.
"And you will stay behind, all alone?"
"Alone? that shall depend on you, monsieur."On this Edouard caught her for the first time in his arms.
She made a faint resistance.
"Seal me that promise, sweet one!"
"No! no!--there!"
He pressed a delicious first kiss upon two velvet lips that in their innocence scarcely shunned the sweet attack.
For all that, the bond was no sooner sealed after this fashion, than the lady's cheek began to burn.
"Suppose we go in NOW?" said she, dryly.
"Ah, not yet."
"It is late, dear Edouard."
And with these words something returned to her mind with its full force: something that Edouard had actually made her forget.She wanted to get rid of him now.
"Edouard," said she, "can you get up early in the morning? If you can, meet me here to-morrow before any of them are up; then we can talk without interruption."Edouard was delighted.
"Eight o'clock?"
"Sooner if you like.Mamma bade me come and read to her in her room to-night.She will be waiting for me.Is it not tiresome?""Yes, it is."
"Well, we must not mind that, dear; in three weeks' time we are to have too much of one another, you know, instead of too little.""Too much! I shall never have enough of you.I shall hate the night which will rob me of the sight of you for so many hours in the twenty-four.""If you can't see me, perhaps you may hear me; my tongue runs by night as well as by day.""Well, that is a comfort," said Edouard, gravely."Yes, little quizzer, I would rather hear you scold than an angel sing.Judge, then, what music it is when you say you love me!""I love you, Edouard."
Edouard kissed her hand warmly, and then looked irresolutely at her face.
"No, no!" said she, laughing and blushing."How rude you are.Next time we meet.""That is a bargain.But I won't go till you say you love me again.
"Edouard, don't be silly.I am ashamed of saying the same thing so often--I won't say it any more.What is the use? You know I love you.There, I HAVE said it: how stupid!""Adieu, then, my wife that is to be."
"Adieu! dear Edouard."
"My hus--go on--my hus--"
"My huswife that shall be."
Then they walked very slowly towards the house, and once more Rose left quizzing, and was all tenderness.
"Will you not come in, and bid them 'good-night'?""No, my own; I am in heaven.Common faces--common voices would bring me down to earth.Let me be alone;--your sweet words ringing in my ear.I will dilute you with nothing meaner than the stars.
See how bright they shine in heaven; but not so bright as you shine in my heart.""Dear Edouard, you flatter me, you spoil me.Alas! why am I not more worthy of your love?""More worthy! How can that be?"
Rose sighed.
"But I will atone for all.I will make you a better--(here she substituted a full stop for a substantive)--than you expect.You will see else."She lingered at the door: a proof that if Edouard, at that particular moment, had seized another kiss, there would have been no very violent opposition or offence.
