When he had examined everything, he sparred at the mantelpiece, and imagined
himself taking vengeance on Anatole. At last, having finished the soda water, he lay down again, and slept uneasily until six o’clock, when he rose and looked at himself in a mirror. His hair was disheveled and dusty; his lip discolored; his eyes were inflamed; but the thought of rubbing his soiled face with a towel, or even touching it with water made him wince. Seeing that he was unpresentable, and being sober enough to judge his last nights conduct, he resolved to make off before any of the household were astir. Accordingly, he made himself as clean as he could without hurting himself. From his vest pockets, which contained fourteen francs, an English half-crown, a latchkey. a lead pencil, and a return ticket to Charing Cross, he took ten francs and left them on the table with a scrap of paper inscribed Pour la belle propriétaire — Hommage du misérable Anglais.” Then, on another scrap, which he directed to Aurélie, as follows:
“I hope you will forgive me for behaving like an unmitigated cad last night, As I was not sober and had had my sense almost knocked out of me by a foul blow, I was hardly accountable for what I was doing. I can never repay your kindness nor expiate my own ingratitude; but please do not say anything about me to Mr Herbert, as you would get me into no end of trouble by doing so. I am running away early early because I should be ashamed to look you in the face now that I have recovered my senses — Yours, most gratefully—”
He “took several minutes to consider how he should sign this note. Eventually he put down the initial C only. After draining the soda-water bottle of the few flat and sickly drops he had left in it the night before, he left the room and crept downstairs, where he succeeded in letting himself out without alarming the household. The empty street looked white and spacious in the morning sun; and the young man — first looking round to see that no one was at hand to misinterpret his movements — took to his heels and ran until he turned a corner and saw a policeman, who seemed half disposed to arrest him on suspicion. Escaping this danger, he went on until he found a small eating house where some workmen were breakfasting. Here he procured a cheap but plentiful meal,and was directed to the railway station, whither he immediately hastened. A train had just arrived as he entered. As he stood for a moment to watch the passengers coming out, a hand was laid gently on his arm. He turned, and confronted Adrian Herbert, who looked at him with a quiet smile.
“Well, Charlie,” he said: “so this is Hounslow, is it? What particular branch of engineering are you studying here?”
“Who told you I was at Hounslow?” said Charlie, with a grin.
“Your father, whom I met yesterday at Mrs. Hoskyn’s. He told me that you were working very hard at engineering with a tutor. I am sorry to see that your exertions have quite knocked you up.”
“On the contrary, somebody else’s exertions have knocked me down. No, I ran over here a few days ago for a little change. Of course I didn’t mention it to the governor: he thinks Paris a sink of iniquity. You needn’t mention it to him either, unless you like.”
“I hope I am too discreet for that. Did you know that Mrs. Herbert is in Paris?”
“Is she? No, I didn’t know it: I thought she was with you in Kensington. I hope you will have a good time here. ‘‘
“Thank you. How long do you intend to stay?”
“Oh, I am going back directly. If I don’t get a train soon, I shall starve; for I have only two or three francs left to keep me in sandwiches during the voyage.”
“Draw on me if you are inconvenienced.”
Thanks,” said Carlie, coloring. “but I can get on well enough with what I have — at least if you could spare me I if you could spare me five franks — Thanks awfully. I have run a rig rather this time; for I owe Mary five pounds already on the strength of this trip. It is a mistake coming to Paris. I wish I had stayed at home.”
“Well, at least you have had some experience for your money. What has happened to your lip? Is it a bruise?”
“Yes, I got a toss. It’s nothing. I’m awfully obliged for—”
“Not at all. Have you breakfasted yet? What, already! You are an early bird. I was thinking of asking you to breakfast with me. I do not wish to disturb my wife too early, and so will have to kill some time for a while. By the by, have you ever been introduced to her?
“No,” “said Charlie hastily; but nothing would induce to me to face her in this trim. I know I look a perfect blackguard. I can’t wash my face; and I have a blue and and green spot right here” — touching the hollow of his chest— “which would make me screech if anyone rubbed me with a brush. In fact I shall take it as a particular favor if you wont mention to her that you have met me. Not that it matters much, of course; but still—”
“Very well, I shall not breathe a word of it to anyone. Goodbye.*’
Charlie shook his hand; and they parted. “Now,” thought Charlie, looking after him with a grin, and jingling the borrowed money in his pocket, “if his wife will only hold her tongue, I shall be all right. I wish she was my wife.” And heaving a sigh, he walked slowly away to inquire about the trains.
Herbert breakfasted alone. When his appetite was appeased, he sat trying to read, and looking repeatedly at his watch. He had resolved not to seek his wife until ten o’clock; but he had miscalculated his patience; and he soon convinced himself that half past nine, or even nine, would be more convenient. Eventually he arrived at ten minutes to nine, and found Madame Szczympliça alone at table in an old crimson bed gown, with her hair as her pillow had left it.
“Monsieur Adrian!” she exclaimed, much discomposed. “Ah, you take us by surprise. I had but just stepped in to make coffee for the little one. She will be enchanted to see you. And I also.”
“Do not let me disturb you. I have breakfasted already. Is Aurélie up?”
“She will be here immediately. How delighted she will be! Are you quite well?”
Not badly, madame. And you?” I have suffered frightfully with my face. Last night I was unable to go to the concert with Aurélie. It is a great misfortune for me, this neuralgia.”
“I am very sorry. It is indeed a terrible affliction. Are you quite sure that Aurélie is not fast asleep?”
“I have made her coffee, mon cher; and I know her too well to do that before she is afoot. Trust me, she will be here in a moment. I hope it is nothing wrong that has brought you to Paris.”
“Oh no. I wanted a little change; and when you came so near, I determined to run over and meet you. You have been all round Europe since I last saw you.”
“Ah, what successes, Monsieur Adrian! You cannot figure to yourself how she was received at Budapesth. And at Leipzig too! It was — behold her!”
Aurélie stopped on the threshold and regarded Adrian with successive expressions of surprise, protest and resignation. He advanced and kissed her cheek gently, longing to clasp her in his arms, but restrained by the presence of her mother. Aurélie paused on her way to the table just long enough to suffer this greeting, and then sat down, exclaiming:
“I knew it! I knew it from that last letter! Oh thou silly one! Could not Mrs. Hoskyn console thee for yet another week?”
“How Indifferent she is,” said Madame Sczympliça. “She is glad at heart to see you, Mr. Adrian.” Now, this interference of his motherin law, though made with amiable intention, irritated Herbert. He smiled politely, and turned a little away from her and towards Aurélie”.
“And SO you have had nothing but triumphs since we parted,”