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contained a lofty window with a crimson curtain； which； being
undrawn； afforded another glimpse of the garden； through the
large； clear panes； round which some leaves of ivy； some tendrils
of vine were trained
“Monsieur Creemsvort； n’est ce pas？” said a voice behind me；
and； starting involuntarily； I turned。 I had been so taken up with
the contemplation of the pretty little salon that I had not noticed
the entrance of a person into the larger room。 It was； however；
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Mdlle Reuter who now addressed me； and stood close beside me；
and when I had bowed with instantaneously recovered sang…
froid—for I am not easily embarrassed—I commenced the
conversation by remarking on the pleasant aspect of her little
cabinet； and the advantage she had over M。 Pelet in possessing a
garden。
“Yes；” she said； “she often thought so；” and added； “it is my
garden； monsieur； which makes me retain this house； otherwise I
should probably have removed to larger and more commodious
premises long since； but you see I could not take my garden with
me； and I should scarcely find one so large and pleasant anywhere
else in town。”
I approved her judgment。
“But you have not seen it yet；” said she； rising； “come to the
window and take a better view。” I followed her； she opened the
sash； and leaning out I saw in full the enclosed demesne which
had hitherto been to me an unknown region。 It was a long； not
very broad strip of cultured ground； with an alley bordered by
enormous old fruit trees down the middle； there was a sort of
lawn； a parterre of rose…trees； some flower…borders； and； on the far
side； a thickly planted copse of lilacs； laburnums； and acacias。 It
looked pleasant； to me—very pleasant； so long a time had elapsed
since I had seen a garden of any sort。 But it was not only on Mdlle
Reuter’s garden that my eyes dwelt； when I had taken a view of
her well…trimmed beds and budding shrubberies； I allowed my
glance to come back to herself； nor did I hastily withdraw it。
I had thought to see a tall； meagre； yellow； conventual image in
black； with a close white cap； bandaged under the chin like a nun’s
head…gear； whereas； there stood by me a little and roundly formed
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woman； who might indeed be older than I； but was still young； she
could not； I thought； be more than six or seven and twenty； she
was as fair as a fair Englishwoman； she had no cap； her hair was
nut…brown； and she wore it in curls； pretty her features were not；
nor very soft； nor very regular； but neither were they in any
degree plain； and I already saw cause to deem them expressive。
What was their predominant cast？ Was it sagacity？—sense？ Yes； I
thought so； but I could scarcely as yet be sure。 I discovered；
however； that there was a certain serenity of eye； and freshness of
complexion； most pleasing to behold。 The colour on her cheek was
like the bloom on a good apple； which is as sound at the core as it
is red on the rind。
Mdlle Reuter and I entered upon business。 She said she was not
absolutely certain of the wisdom of the step she was about to take；
because I was so young； and parents might possibly object to a
professor like me for their daughters： “But it is often well to act on
one’s own judgment；” said she； “and to lead parents； rather than
be led by them。 The fitness of a professor is not a matter of age；
and； from what I have heard； and from what I observe myself； I
would much rather trust you than M。 Ledru； the music…master；
who is a married man of near fifty。”
I remarked that I hoped she would find me worthy of her good
opinion； that if I knew myself； I was incapable of betraying any
confidence reposed in me。 “Du reste；” said she； “the surveillance
will be strictly attended to。” And then she proceeded to discuss the
subject of terms。 She was very cautious； quite on her guard； she
did not absolutely bargain； but she warily sounded me to find out
what my expectations might be； and when she could not get me to
name a sum； she reasoned and reasoned with a fluent yet quiet
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circumlocution of speech； and at last nailed me down to five
hundred francs per annum—not too much； but I agreed。 Before
the negotiation was completed； it began to grow a little dusk。 I did
not hasten it； for I liked well enough to sit and hear her talk； I was
amused with the sort of business talent she displayed。 Edward
could not have shown himself more practical； though he might
have evinced more coarseness and urgency； and then she had so
many reasons； so many explanations； and； after all； she succeeded
in proving herself quite disinterested and even liberal。 At last she
concluded； she could say no more； because； as I acquiesced in all
things； there was no further ground for the exercise of her parts of
speech。 I was obliged to rise。 I would rather have sat a little longer；
what had I to return to but my small empty room？ And my eyes
had a pleasure in looking at Mdlle Reuter； especially now； when
the twilight softened her features a little； and； in the doubtful
dusk； I could fancy her forehead as open as it was really elevated；
her mouth touched with turns of sweetness as well as defined in
lines of sense。 When I rose to go； I held out my hand； on purpose；
though I knew it was contrary to the etiquette of foreign habits；
she smiled； and said—
“Ah！ c’est comme tous les Anglais；” but gave me her hand very
kindly。
“It is the privilege of my country； Mademoiselle；” said I； “and；
remember； I shall always claim it。”
She laughed a little； quite good…naturedly； and with the sort of
tranquillity obvious in all she did—a tranquillity which soothed
and suited me singularly； at least I thought so that evening。
Brussels seemed a very pleasant place to me when I got out again
into the street； and it appeared as if some cheerful； eventful；
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upward…tending career were even then opening to me； on that
selfsame mild； still April night。 So impressionable a being is man；
or at least such a man as I was in those days。
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Chapter X
ext day the morning hours seemed to pass very slowly at
NM。 Pelet’s； I wanted the afternoon to come that I might
go again to the neighbouring pensionnat and give my
first lesson within its pleasant precincts； for pleasant they
appeared to me。 At noon the hour of recreation arrived； at one
o’clock we had lunch； this got on the time； and at last St。 Gudule’s
deep bell； tolling slowly two； marked the moment for which I had
been waiting。
At the foot of the narrow back…stairs that descended from my
room； I met M。 Pelet。
“Comme vous avez l’air rayonnant！” said he。 “Je ne vous ai
jamais vu aussi gai。 Que s’est…il donc passé？”
“Apparemment que j’aime les changements；” replied I。
“Ah！ je comprends—c’est cela…soyez sage seulement。 Vou