Part 21 (1/2)
”With whom?”
”With her whom the world calls my wife, the mother of my children.”
”What is her name?”
”Lucia.”
After I had spoken this, I have nevertheless quite frequently forgotten myself and spoken of ”my wife.” But Elsje never, not a single time.
”What did you say about me?”
”May I tell you quite frankly, Elsje? And will you tell me just as frankly whether what I said was right?”
”Yes,” said Elsje, shyly and softly.
”I said that I had met a woman of whom, at first sight and after two brief encounters, I could say that she would give me the great love which was still wanting in my life. Was that rightly said, Elsje?”
”Yes,” I heard a whisper beside me. Arm in arm we wandered through the dark lonely streets of the little town which was going to rest. The confidential pressure of her arm in mine was a never experienced joy.
”It was not quite understood, Elsje. It was taken for self-delusion and the entire case treated as a common gallant adventure. That's not surprising and it will appear that way to everyone. We must resign ourselves to that.”
”Of course!” said Elsje.
”But I had a difficult half hour, for Lucia begged me not to see you again.”
”Poor Lucia - does she care for you very much?”
”Certainly - and I told her that nothing was taken away from my affection for her. But she wouldn't hear of that -”
”Of course!” said Elsje again. ”I shouldn't accept that either. Why should she?”
”Look, look,” thought I smilingly; ”even the rivals among women yet ever conspire together.”
”I thought it might be a consolation. But I seem to be mistaken in that. I remained firm, though I told her that nothing would hold me back from Elsje.”
”Oh, if I am only worthy of it! If only I am worthy of it!”
”That is fear of responsibility, Elsje. That we both have. But it is a weakness.”
”And did Lucia yield?”
”She first asked whether it could remain a spirit friends.h.i.+p. I refused to promise that.” Elsie remained silent.
”Do you think that was right, Elsie?”
She nodded.
”Then she yielded, but on one condition.”
”What?”