ishand(athinghehadneverdonebefore),convincedmethathethoughtIhadmadeaterriblefoolofmyselfandthat,ruinedandthrownawayasIwas,itwasnotimeforsarcasmorcynicism,orindeedforanythingbutindulgenceandforbearance.
“Goodnight,William,”hesaid,inareallysoftvoice,whilehisfacelookedbenevolentlycompassionate.“Goodnight,lad.IwishyouandyourfuturewifemuchprosperityandIhopeshewillsatisfyyourfastidioussoul.”
IhadmuchadotorefrainfromlaughingasIbeheldthemagnanimouspityofhismienmaintaining,however,agraveair,Isaid:—
“IthoughtyouwouldhavelikedtohaveseenMdlle.Henri?”
“Oh,thatisthename!Yes—ifitwouldbeconvenient,Ishouldliketoseeher—but——.”Hehesitated.
“Well?”
“Ishouldonnoaccountwishtointrude.”
“Come,then,”saidI.Wesetout.Hunsdennodoubtregardedmeasarash,imprudentman,thustoshowmypoorlittlegrisettesweetheart,inherpoorlittleunfurnishedgrenierbuthepreparedtoacttherealgentleman,having,infact,thekernelofthatcharacter,undertheharshhuskitpleasedhimtowearbywayofmentalmackintosh.Hetalkedaffably,andevengently,aswewentalongthestreethehadneverbeensociviltomeinhislife.Wereachedthehouse,entered,ascendedthestairongainingthelobby,HunsdenturnedtomountanarrowerstairwhichledtoahigherstoryIsawhismindwasbentontheattics.
“Here,Mr.Hunsden,”saidIquietly,tappingatFrances’door.Heturnedinhisgenuinepolitenesshewasalittledisconcertedathavingmadethemistakehiseyerevertedtothegreenmat,buthesaidnothing.
Wewalkedin,andFrancesrosefromherseatnearthetabletoreceiveushermourningattiregaveherarecluse,ratherconventual,butwithalverydistinguishedlookitsgravesimplicityaddednothingtobeauty,butmuchtodignitythefinishofthewhitecollarandmanchettessufficedforarelieftothemerinogownofsolemnblackornamentwasforsworn.Francescurtsiedwithsedategrace,looking,asshealwaysdid,whenonefirstaccostedher,moreawomantorespectthantoloveIintroducedMr.Hunsden,andsheexpressedherhappinessatmakinghisacquaintanceinFrench.Thepureandpolishedaccent,thelowyetsweetandratherfullvoice,producedtheireffectimmediatelyHunsdenspokeFrenchinreplyIhadnotheardhimspeakthatlanguagebeforehemanageditverywell.Iretiredtothewindow-seatMr.Hunsden,athishostess’sinvitation,occupiedachairnearthehearthfrommypositionIcouldseethemboth,andtheroomtoo,ataglan