Part 41 (2/2)
”Where are you going for your rest-cure?”
”Isn't that for you to decide, Clifford dear?”
Riviere roused himself with an effort akin to that of Ulysses in the house of Circe.
”I'd better be quite frank with you,” he answered. ”I can't live with you again as man and wife.”
”I realise your feeling so well. I admire you for it. It brings us nearer together. You feel yourself under an obligation to Miss Verney because of her intervention between you and that vitriol-thrower. You don't know just how you can repay it. Obviously you can't offer her money. A girl of her finely-strung feelings couldn't take a pension from you.... Now I have a suggestion that clears away the difficulty completely.”
”What is it?” asked Riviere non-committally.
”Let _me_ make her an allowance. Let the money pa.s.s through my hands to her. It needn't be a large allowance. I daresay she could live nicely on three or four pounds a week. If you agree, I'll go and arrange it myself, so as not to hurt her feelings.”
That would be indeed revenge on Elaine! To buy back Clifford for a paltry four pounds a week--to have the delicate pleasure of doling out the money in the role of Lady Bountiful! She had a mental vision of the sweet little letters she could write to Elaine when she enclosed the monthly cheque--letters so sweet that they would sear.
But Riviere answered abruptly: ”What did Miss Verney say to you to make such a complete change in your att.i.tude towards her?”
”We chatted together this afternoon and came to realise one another's point of view--that was all. It was perfectly natural. A blind girl ...
helpless ... without resources of her own.... Do you think I'm flint?”
”Then she made some appeal to you?”
”Clifford, dear, I don't think you and I ought to discuss what pa.s.sed between Miss Verney and myself in the sick-room this afternoon. Some things are sacred.”
”I must know this: did she suggest the idea of the allowance or did you?”
Olive hesitated as to how she should answer that question. It was very tempting to say that Elaine had suggested it--but decidedly risky.
Riviere might ask the girl point-blank. It was better to be prudent in this game of strategy, and accordingly she replied:
”I don't think you ought to ask me that question.”
”I must see Miss Verney at once,” said Riviere decisively.
”But we must think of her feelings. She's very sensitive, very highly-strung. Wouldn't it be kinder to let _me_ arrange it?”
”I don't think so.”
”I ask you this for her sake!”
”Still, I must see her at once.”
”As your wife, I ask you to let me end the matter once and for all.
Clifford dear, I must speak out frankly, though I hate to have to do it.
Listen to me quietly while I try to put the situation to you in the proper light.... You're in love with Miss Verney--I know it. It's hard for you to have to cut loose--very hard. But for her sake you _must_ cut loose. _Now, at once._ Matters can't go on as they are. I know perfectly well that the relations between you are absolutely innocent--I haven't a word to breathe against her character now that I've seen her and really know her. But things can't go on as they are. You must put yourself aside and consider her alone. You must think of her reputation. People will begin to talk.”
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