How many a woman, believed to have been Without a regret, I have known turn aside To burst into heartbroken tears undescried!
On how many a lip have I witness'd the smile Which but hid what was breaking the poor heart the while!"
Said Matilda, "Your life, it would seem, then, must be One long act of devotion"
"Perhaps so," said he;
"But at least that devotion small merit can boast, For one day may yet come,--if ONE day at the most,--
When, perceiving at last all the difference--how great!--
Twixt the heart that neglects, and the heart that can wait, Twixt the natures that pity, the natures that pain, Some woman, that else might have pass'd in disdain Or indifference by me,--in passing that day Might pause with a word or a smile to repay This devotion,--and then" . . .
XXVIII.
To Matilda's relief At that moment her husband approach'd.
With some grief I must own that her welcome, perchance, was express'd The more eagerly just for one twinge in her breast Of a conscience disturb'd, and her smile not less warm, Though she saw the Comtesse de Nevers on his arm.
The Duke turn'd and adjusted his collar.
Thought he, "Good! the gods fight my battle to-night. I foresee That the family doctor's the part I must play.
Very well! but the patients my visits shall pay."
Lord Alfred presented Lucile to his wife;
And Matilda, repressing with effort the strife Of emotions which made her voice shake, murmur'd low Some faint, troubled greeting. The Duke, with a bow Which betoken'd a distant defiance, replied To Lucile's startled cry, as surprised she descried Her former gay wooer. Anon, with the grace Of that kindness which seeks to win kindness, her place She assumed by Matilda, unconscious, perchance, Or resolved not to notice the half-frighten'd glance, That follow'd that movement.
The Duke to his feet Arose; and, in silence, relinquish'd his seat.
One must own that the moment was awkward for all But nevertheless, before long, the strange thrall Of Lucile's gracious tact was by every one felt, And from each the reserve seem'd, reluctant, to melt;
Thus, conversing together, the whole of the four Thro' the crowd saunter'd smiling.
XXIX.
Approaching the door, Eugene de Luvois, who had fallen behind, By Lucile, after some hesitation, was join'd.
With a gesture of gentle and kindly appeal, Which appear'd to imply, without words, "Let us feel That the friendship between us in years that are fled, Has survived one mad moment forgotten," she said:
"You remain, Duke, at Ems?"
He turn'd on her a look Of frigid, resentful, and sullen rebuke;
And then, with a more than significant glance At Matilda, maliciously answer'd, "Perchance.
I have here an attraction. And you?" he return'd.
Lucile's eyes had follow'd his own, and discern'd The boast they implied.
He repeated, "And you?"
And, still watching Matilda, she answer'd, "I too."
And he thought, as with that word she left him, she sigh'd.
The next moment her place she resumed by the side Of Matilda; and they soon shook hands at the gate Of the selfsame hotel.
XXX.
One depress'd, one elate, The Duke and Lord Alfred again, thro' the glooms Of the thick linden alley, return'd to the Rooms.
His cigar each had lighted, a moment before, At the inn, as they turn'd, arm-in-arm, from the door.
Ems cigars do not cheer a man's spirits, experto (Me miserum quoties!) crede Roberto.
In silence, awhile, they walk'd onward.
At last The Duke's thoughts to language half consciously pass'd.
LUVOIS.
Once more! yet once more!
ALFRED.
What?
LUVOIS.
We meet her, once more, The woman for whom we two madmen of yore (Laugh, mon cher Alfred, laugh!) were about to destroy Each other!
ALFRED.
It is not with laughter that I Raise the ghost of that once troubled time. Say! can you Recall it with coolness and quietude now?
LUVOIS.
Now? yes! I, mon cher, am a true Parisien:
Now, the red revolution, the tocsin, and then The dance and the play. I am now at the play.
ALFRED.
At the play, are you now? Then perchance I now may Presume, Duke, to ask you what, ever until Such a moment, I waited . . .
LUVOIS.
Oh! ask what you will.
Franc jeu! on the table my cards I spread out.
Ask!
ALFRED.
