Part 49 (2/2)
”Thirty-eight years older than she is; it is for me that this difference of age is more to be feared. Yes, I know that, and I am willing to accept all the risks of such a disproportion.”
”And she?”
”She? Well, let her decide for or against me. She is twenty-one; she is no longer a child, and she knows what she is about.”
”Yes; but that does not prevent me from having a certain amount of responsibility, and--”
”Ah, you see; you are afraid that she may consent!”
”Afraid? oh, dear, no! I am quite convinced that such an ideal little creature has, about the man she dreams of for her husband, a vision of someone quite different from you.”
”And, supposing, by chance--I do not expect this at all--but, supposing you were mistaken, what should you do?”
”What do you want me to do?”
”Nothing at all. And it is just this--I am afraid that you would use your influence with Bijou.”
”No; I shall just tell her what I think; I ought to, under the circ.u.mstances--but nothing more.”
”Then you _are_ going to speak to her?”
”Yes.”
”May I come again a little later?”
”Oh, no! give me until to-morrow. I shall not speak to her, probably, before this evening; but that need not prevent your coming to dinner if you feel inclined to. It was for the--for the answer that I was putting you off until to-morrow.”
”If she should refuse, I shall go away.”
”Where?”
”Oh, how can I care where?--my life will be over. I shall go and finish my days in some out-of-the-way spot.”
”You talked like that some twelve years ago; and here you are to-day--I cannot say younger than then.” The marchioness stopped short, and then continued, with a smile: ”Why should I not say it, though? You really do seem younger to me now than you did in those days; you are perfectly astonis.h.i.+ng, my dear friend, anyone would think you were about forty-five.”
”If only it were true what you say!”
”It is, I a.s.sure you! but you know that does not alter the fact that you are fifty-nine.”
M. de Clagny rose to take his leave.
”Farewell!” he said, ”until to-morrow.” And then, with a pathetic little smile, he added: ”Or until this evening. Yes,--towards the end of the day I shall be taken with a violent desire to see her again, and I shall come as I did the day before yesterday, and Thursday, and every day.”
He took Madame de Bracieux's hand in his, and clasped it nervously, as he murmured:
”For the sake of our long friends.h.i.+p, I beg you, be merciful to me.”
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