Man and Maid

"Don't tell her I love her, Duchesse," I pleaded. "We have much to learn

of each other. If she did not believe it was a bargain equal on both

sides, she would not marry me at all!"

The Duchesse agreed about this.

"Whatever she has promised she will perform, but why she does not love

thee already I cannot tell."

"She dislikes me, she thinks I am a rotter, and I expect she was right,

but I shall not be in the future, and then perhaps she will change."

When I left the Hotel de Courville it had been arranged that the

Duchesse would receive my wife with honour, her world only knowing that

I had married an English "Miss Sharp."

I heard no more of my fiancée until next morning, when she telephoned.

Did I wish her to come that day?

Burton answered that I hoped she would, about eleven o'clock.

I intended to tell her that I thought that it might be wiser now if she

did not come again until the wedding, as once we were engaged I would

not allow her to run the risk of meeting anyone and giving a false

impression. I think the strain would be too great in any case.

I did not come in to the salon until she was there, and she rose as I

entered. She was whiter than ever, and very stern.

"I have been thinking," she said, before I could speak, "that if I

promise to fulfill the bargain, and live here in the flat with you,

going through the ceremony at the Consulate is quite unnecessary. Your

caprice of having me for your wife merely in name in England, may pass,

and it seems ridiculous to be tied. I am quite indifferent to what

anyone thinks of me. I would prefer it like that."

"Why?" I asked, and wondered for a moment what had occurred.

"There are so many stupid law things, if there is a marriage, and if you

have the same from me without, surely you see that it is better."

I first thought that it was this fear of my knowing her family history

which was at the root of this suggestion, but then I remembered that she

would know that I would hear it in any case from the Duchesse. What then

could it be?

I felt cruel, I was not going to make things too easy for her. If she

has the will of the devil, she has also the pride!