Beyond the Rocks

He had foreseen the disposition of the party, and by sitting in the

outside corner seat at the end knew he would have Theodora almost en

tête-à-tête, once they were all seated along the velvet sofa beyond

Josiah Brown.

"What do you do with yourself all the time here?" he asked, lowering his

voice to that deep note which only carries to the ear it is intended

for. "May one ever see you again except at a chance meal like this?"

"I don't know," said Theodora. "I walk up and down in the side allées of

the Bois in the morning with my husband, and when he has had his sleep,

after déjeuner, we drive nearly all the afternoon, and we have tea, at

the Pré Catalan and drive again until about seven, and then we come in

and dine, and I go to bed very early. Josiah is not strong enough yet

for late hours or theatres."

"It sounds supernaturally gay for Paris!" said Lord Bracondale; and then

he felt a brute when he saw the cloud in the blue eyes.

"No, it is not gay," she said, simply. "But the flowers are beautiful,

and the green trees and the chestnut blossoms and the fine air here, and

there is a little stream among the trees which laughs to itself as it

runs, and all these things say something to me."

He felt rebuked--rebuked and interested.

"I would like to see them all with you," he said.

That was one of his charms--directness. He did not insinuate often; he

stated facts.

"You would find it all much too monotonous," she answered. "You would

tire of them after the first time. And you could if you liked, too,

because I suppose you are free, being a man, and can choose your own

life," and she sighed unconsciously.

And there came to Hector Bracondale the picture of her life--sacrificed,

no doubt, to others' needs. He seemed to see the long years tied to

Josiah Brown, the cramping of her soul, the dreary desolation of it.

Then a tenderness came over him, a chivalrous tenderness unfelt by him

towards women now for many a long day.

"I wonder if I can choose my life," he said, and he looked into her

eyes.

"Why can you not?" She hesitated. "And may I ask you, too, what you do

with yourself here?"

He evaded the question; he suddenly realized that his days were not more

amusing than hers, although they were filled up with racing and varied

employments--while the thought of his nights sickened him.