Part 57 (1/2)
”And the people I shall live among, Esther? They have not just the same follies and vices as the rich, but they have their own forms of folly and vice; and they have not what are called the refinements of the rich to make their faults more bearable. I don't say more bearable to me--I'm not fond of those refinements; but you are.”
Felix paused an instant, and then added--
”It is very serious, Esther.”
”I know it is serious,” said Esther, looking up at him. ”Since I have been at Transome Court I have seen many things very seriously. If I had not, I should not have left what I did leave. I made a deliberate choice.”
Felix stood a moment or two, dwelling on her with a face where the gravity gathered tenderness.
”And these curls?” he said, with a sort of relenting, seating himself again, and putting his hand on them.
”They cost nothing--they are natural.”
”You are such a delicate creature.”
”I am very healthy. Poor women, I think, are healthier than the rich.
Besides,” Esther went on, with a mischievous meaning, ”I think of having some wealth.”
”How?” said Felix, with an anxious start. ”What do you mean?”
”I think even of two pounds a week: one needn't live up to the splendor of all that, you know; we might live as simply as you liked: there would be money to spare, and you could do wonders, and be obliged to work too, only not if sickness came. And then I think of a little income for your mother, enough for her to live as she has been used to live; and a little income for my father, to save him from being dependent when he is no longer able to preach.”
Esther said all this in a playful tone, but she ended, with a grave look of appealing submission----
”I mean--if you approve. I wish to do what you think it will be right to do.”
Felix put his hand on her shoulder again and reflected a little while, looking on the hearth: then he said, lifting up his eyes, with a smile at her----
”Why, I shall be able to set up a great library, and lend the books to be dog's-eared and marked with bread-crumbs.”
Esther said, laughing, ”You think you are to be everything. You don't know how clever I am. I mean to go on teaching a great many things.”
”Teaching me?”
”Oh, yes,” she said, with a little toss; ”I shall improve your French accent.”
”You won't want me to wear a stock,” said Felix, with a defiant shake of the head.
”No; and you will not attribute stupid thoughts to me before I've uttered them.”
They laughed merrily, each holding the other's arms, like girl and boy.
There was the ineffable sense of youth in common.
Then Felix leaned forward, that their lips might meet again, and after that his eyes roved tenderly over her face and curls.