Part 27 (1/2)
Aurora, unused to the mode of procedure at a _veglione_, asked helplessly in a whisper of Landini:
”What shall I say to them?”
He spoke for her then, in Italian, because he thought it probable that these were Florentines who had come into a strange box for a lark.
”Good evening,” he said. ”Will you speak, or sing, and let us know what we can do for your service?”
The bravo, lifting two long hands in loose and torn black gloves, rapidly made signs, like the deaf and dumb.
”You speak too loud,” said Gerald. ”We are deafened. Let the lady speak.”
The black domino, with a shrug of the shoulders and a gesture of black-gloved hands excusing the limitations of a bird, answered by a simple caw.
Aurora now found her tongue and her cue:
”And is it yourselves?” she burst in rollickingly. ”Proud to meet you!
Will you partake?”
With a hospitable sweep of the arm, intelligible to speakers of any language, she made them free of her supper-table, where the candles still twinkled over an appetizing abundance.
Gerald watched sharply, saying to himself: ”If they accept, we shall at least see their chins.”
But upon the invitation _Sparafucile_, with farcical demonstrations of greed, reached forth his long fingers in the flapping gloves, seized cakes, white grapes, mandarins, nuts, and stuffed them into his wide pockets; while the black domino grasped the neck of a bottle of champagne and possessed herself of a gla.s.s. A caw of thanks issued from the black beak, and from the bravo, as with their booty the two retreated to the door, there proceeded, as unexpected as upsetting, a whoop of rejoicing so loud that those near him fell back as if from the danger of an explosion. In the midst of this consternation the maskers were gone.
”My land! did you hear that?” cried Aurora, who had clapped both hands over the pit of her stomach. ”Goodness! he's scared the liver-pin out of me! Who d'you suppose they were?”
Landini lost not another minute before asking Mrs. Hawthorne if they should go down together for a turn.
Gerald had been on the point of asking the same thing. He had almost uttered the first word when Landini antic.i.p.ated him. He felt a sharp p.r.i.c.k of annoyance with himself for not having been quicker as much as with Landini for having been so quick. A little jealousy was quite in order with regard to Mrs. Hawthorne now, on the simple ground of that more intimate footing of friends.h.i.+p established between them by the portrait. With the expression of courteous mournfulness proper in an outrivaled cavalier, he made the gesture silently of having been at the lady's service. Manlio did the same.
The singular blonde, with Nubian lip and Parisian hair, Miss Deliverance Jones, or, more commonly, Livvy, who spent this evening at the farther end of the box making her own reflections on the European doings of which she got glimpses, held up a white satin domino for her mistress's arms. Gerald precipitated himself, took it from the maid and held it in her place. He tried to meet his friend's glance, hoping for some faintest sign of partic.i.p.ation in his regret at not having been ”spryer.” For the s.p.a.ce of a second, just before she fastened on her mask, he caught her eye. Brief and bright as the illumination of summer lightning, a look of fun flashed over her face. She winked at him.
Landini ceremoniously held his arm for her and Gerald saw them leave together with a lessened objection.
Gerald had for some time past suspected that Landini was paying court to Mrs. Hawthorne. Whether the lady were aware of it he could not tell.
Gerald had not believed the man had a chance, although, women being incalculable, one can never feel quite easy. But now he could almost have found it in himself to pity the somewhat singular man--Italian in fact, English in manner, Oriental in looks,--if so were he had built up any little practical dream on the fair widow's acceptance of him. To the possibility of a sentimental dream Gerald did not accord one single thought.
He seated himself, to wait for their return. Only Manlio was left in the box besides himself. Manlio, consecrated to the wors.h.i.+p of one afar, cared little to mix with the profane and noisy mult.i.tude. As Gerald leaned forth to see the couple that had just left them reappear down-stairs, Manlio, whose eyes followed his, remarked very sincerely, when the large easily-recognized white domino came into sight ”_e buona_!” which can be translated either, ”She is kind,” or ”She is good.”
Gerald felt the warmth of an increased liking for him, because of the perspicacity he showed. They lighted cigarettes, and together looked over the marvelous scene, so rich in color and life, while they talked of things that bore no relation to it, serious things and manly--politics.
Charlie came in with Francesca, who at the door doffed her domino and mask. Both, heated from dancing, were ready for a rest and a little more of the Champagne-cup.
”By the way, Gerald,” said Charlie, ”that's a jolly good painting, old chap, you made of our charming hostess.”
”Glad you like it!” answered Gerald carelessly, without irony.
He did not at the moment dislike Charlie.