Part 35 (1/2)
Betty told Senator North of the impression the Army and Navy men had made on her, and he laughed.
”Of course they are not excited and say little,” he said. ”They will do the acting and leave the talking to the private citizens. The only argument in favour of the war and the large standing army which might be its consequence is that several hundred thousand more men would have disciplined brains inside their skulls.”
”That dreadful housekeeper I had in the Adirondacks is here, married to a Representative named George Was.h.i.+ngton Mudd.”
”I never heard of him, but I am sorry she has come here to remind you of what I should like to have you forget for a time. I do believe a specimen of every queer fish in the country comes to this pond.”
They pa.s.sed one of the bands, and conversation was impossible until they entered the great conservatory with its wide cool walks among the green. It was not crowded, and although there was no seclusion in it at any time, its lights were few and it had a sequestered atmosphere.
Betty and Senator North involuntarily drew closer together.
”In a way I am happy now,” she said. ”It is something to be with you and close to you. I will not think of how much this may lack until I am alone again and there is no limit to my wants.”
”I feel the reverse of depressed,” he said, smiling. ”Are you quite well? You look a little tired.”
”I am tired with much thinking; but that is inevitable. One cannot love hopelessly and look one's best. I always despised the heroines of romance who went into a decline, but Nature demands some tribute in spite of the strongest will.”
He held her arm more closely, but he set his lips and did not answer.
She spoke again after a moment.
”Since that night I have not been nearly so unhappy, however. I even feel gay sometimes, and my sense of humour has come back. It would be quite dreadful to go through life without that, but I thought I had lost it.”
He had turned his eyes and was regarding her intently; but much as she loved them she felt as helpless as ever before their depths. They could pierce and burn, but they never were limpid for a moment.
”You do not misunderstand that?” she asked hurriedly. ”It does not mean that I love you less, but more, if anything. And I am not resigned!
Only, I feel as if in some way I had received a little help, as if--I cannot express it.”
”I understand you perfectly. We are a little closer than we were, and life is not quite so grey.”
”That is it. And I would supplement your bare statement of the fact, if I dared.”
”If you do, I certainly shall kiss you right here in the crowd,” he said, and they smiled into each other's eyes. There was little need of explanations between them.
”That would form a brief diversion for Was.h.i.+ngton. And as for Mrs.
Mudd--By the way, I hope I am not going off. You are the second person who has told me that I am not looking well.”
”You are improved as far as I am concerned. And if you ever faded, happiness would restore you at once. If happiness never came, perhaps you would not care--would you?”
She shrugged her beautiful shoulders and smiled quizzically.
”I don't know. _Je suis femme_. I think I might always find some measure of consolation in the mirror if it behaved properly.”
”Your sincerity is one of your charms. So walk and eat and live in the world, and think as little as you can.”