Part 15 (1/2)
”I hope I may. At present I'm in a maze. I am to say to her--what am I to say?”
”That so long as you have a house there will be a Katrine's room, and a welcome for her, if she chooses to stay. And you are to take no notice--not the slightest--of anything she says in reply, but to leave things to time, and her own good sense... Now we've wasted quite enough time on silly details. Let's be sensible!--_I love you_, Martin!” ...
CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
Grizel came to meet Katrine on her return from the afternoon expedition and drew her into the oak-panelled morning-room. Her cheeks were flushed, but her air was serenely unmoved.
”What do you think I've been doing? I've been proposing to Martin,” she announced placidly. ”He's upstairs now, suffering from nervous shock, but he is going to take me! ... Katrine, are you pleased?”
”But, but,--_all_ that money!” At the moment of certainty, the remembrance of the enormous sacrifice involved swamped everything else.
Katrine gasped, and Grizel sighed.
”Yes! isn't it a bore? I _am_ sick about it,” she said simply. Another woman would have rolled her eyes, protested that ”money was as naught when compared with love,” or some such ba.n.a.lity, but that was not Grizel. She heaved a second sigh, before recovering her cheerfulness, then added hopefully: ”However! I shall soon be fifty... Katrine, are you pleased?”
For a moment Katrine was silent. Then she bent her tall head and kissed Grizel on the cheek.
”Yes,” she said sweetly, ”I'm pleased. Martin will be happy.”
”He is,” Grizel held on to her hand. ”Incredibly happy! And so am I.
I've loved him a long time, Katrine. I want you to know. There has never been any one else. Thank you, dear, for taking care of him for me so well.”
Katrine was silent. That acknowledgment had a sting, sweet as it was, since it seemed to point out the finality of her own office. Martin needed her no longer. Grizel would take care of him now. She moved away, and sat down in a chair.
”I didn't know. I should have suspected, I suppose, but you have known each other so long, and Martin showed no sign.--I thought you were just good friends.”
A gleam shone into Grizel's eyes; an impish gleam. Her red lips curled.
”Martin would have _jumped_ at me, any time during the last five years!
I had only to lift a finger; but it suited me to wait. I had my old Buddy, and I knew he would be there, waiting for me, whenever I was ready.”
Katrine's glance was full of wounded dignity.
”You may be right. Probably you are. I begin to think I am very dense, but I don't think, Grizel, you ought to have _said_ so!”
”Oh, be hanged to it, _not_ of course I shouldn't, but it was your fault! You insinuated that he didn't care, and I won't be insinuated!
He did--he does--he will, he always shall!” cried Grizel belabouring the table with a startling vigour. ”And I'll kill you dead this moment if you dare to doubt it! For pity's sake, Katrine, be _nice_!”
”I _am_ nice, and I'm sorry. I was jealous, and just for the moment I snapped, but I won't do it again. I _did_ suspect during that last visit, and I know he cares, but I was afraid that Lady Griselda's will might come between you. It's a difficult position for Martin.”
”It's difficult for Me, but--” Grizel shrugged, ”what can't be cured must be endured! I'm bound to have Martin, so I shall have to put up with being poor, but I am not coming to this house, Katrine. It's too dull and dark, and full of sad old thoughts. Martin will have to find a new one for me. It will be a good thing. Keep him quiet while he is waiting.”
Katrine stared blankly. The news of the new home hit her like a fresh blow, removing as it did another landmark in the familiar life. Despite all her efforts to rejoice unselfishly, a feeling of unutterable loneliness possessed her.
”And when will you be--?”
”Married? In three or four months, I suppose; probably January. I am leaving the town house at once, and going on a round of visits; Martin will join me sometimes, and be introduced to my friends. Then there'll be the _trousseau_! Won't it be _great_, Katrine, choosing one's _trousseau_ for such a scrumptious man?”
It was all settled! Grizel had dictated, and Martin had agreed. That one eventful interview had settled it all. Nothing remained to be arranged but that one insignificant problem, her own future. Katrine tasted the bitterness of loneliness; her strained glance met Grizel's, soft with understanding love.