Part 19 (1/2)
He slance
”Indeed yes,” he answered briskly ”It is a rudeness for which I can only crave your pardon Strange that I should have tasted your father's hospitality so often and should still be a taciturn host”
Madeer,” she said coldly
”And that is--?” saidtoward her attentively
”That you should betray the last request of the man who once sheltered you and trusted you, and showed you every kindness Tell me, captain, is it another display of artistic te?”
Her words seehtly on my father He took a pinch of snuff, and waved his hand in an airy gesture of denial
”Bah,” he said ”If the Marquis were alive, he would understand He was always an opportunist, the Marquis 'Drink your wine,' he would say, 'drink your wine and break your glass We may not have heads to drink it with to the wine, Mademoiselle He would not bla If it were not forhis wine in paradise, instead of cursing at the American climate And you, Mademoiselle--would you have preferred to rehtfully into his snuff box
”Dead men press no bills--surely you recall the Marquis said that also
No, Mademoiselle, we must be practical to live The Marquis would understand The Marquis was always practical”
She caught her breath sharply, but my father seemed not to have perceived the effect of his words
”Ah,” he said, ”here is Brutus with the meal”
Brutus had carried in a sed a loaf of bread and some salt meat
”Made his hands I do not think he expected her reply any ive him a momentary uneasiness
”One must eat,” said Mademoiselle ”We will eat, captain, and then ill talk” I am sorry you have made it necessary, but of course you have expected it”
”Mademoiselle has been unnaturally subdued,” he replied ”It is pleasant she is cory”
”As Mademoiselle says, one must eat,” I answered
”Good,” he said ”The food is poor, but you will find the wine excellent,” and he filled the glasses It was a strange meal
”Noe shall talk,” said Mademoiselle, when it was finished
My father raised his wine glass to the light
”It is always a pleasure to listen to Mademoiselle”
”I fear,” replied Mademoiselle, ”that this will be the exception”
”I his wine
”All thisI have tried to have a ith you,” said Mademoiselle, ”but your time has been well taken up I hoped to speak to you instead of your son, but he failed to take my advice and remain quiet As I said before, you are both stubborn Not that it has made much difference You still have the paper”
She caused, and surveyed him calmly