Part 42 (1/2)
”No. Don't talk, please. Later....”
He was too weak to sit up.
”Things will have to be straightened out,” he muttered. ”The fool was an American officer. There'll be trouble.”
”No, don't worry. Von Stinnes has fixed things.”
His eyes grew heavy and closed. Sleep ... and let things, fixed or unfixed, go to the devil.
When he awoke again the room was lighted. Mathilde, standing by the window, turned as he stirred.
”Are you awake?”
”Yes, and hungry.”
She brought a tray to his bed. He raised himself carefully, his head unbearably heavy. Mathilde watched him with wide eyes as he sipped some broth.
”What did they arrest the Baron for?” he asked.
She waited till he had finished, and cleared the bed, sitting down on the edge. Her face lowered toward him till her lips touched and kissed him.
”For murder,” she whispered. Another kiss. ”Now you must be quiet and I'll tell you. He gave himself up when the police came. We carried you out first. And then I left him.”
”But,” Dorn looked bewilderedly into the eyes of the girl.
”It was easier for him than for you. They would take you away for trial to America. But he will be tried here. And he will come out all right.
Don't worry. We thought your skull was fractured, but the doctor says it was only a hard blow.”
She lowered her head beside him on the pillow and whispered, ”I love you! Poor Erik! He is defenseless--with a broken head.”
”You are kind,” he answered; ”von Stinnes, too. But we must set matters right....”
”No, no, be still!”
He grew silent. It was night again. In the morning he would be strong enough to get up. A misty calm, the pain almost gone, veins throbbing and a little split in his thought ... but no more.
”I will sleep by you,” Mathilde spoke. She stood up and removed her waist and shoes. He watched her with interest. Another woman curiously like Anna, like Rachel--like the two creatures in Paris. Shoulders suddenly bare. Possessive, unashamed gestures.... She lay down beside him with a sigh.
”Poor Erik! I take advantage of a broken head.”
”No,” he smiled.
They lay motionless, her head touching his shoulder timidly.
”I could live with you forever and be happy,” she whispered.
”We will see about forever--when it comes.”
”Do you like me--perhaps--now?”