按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
instead： 〃Delighted； I'm sure！〃 and to offer mechanical congratulations。
Reginald Peters was a pretty but remarkably foolish…looking lad of about
two…and…twenty； with curly hair and receding chin； but to Miss
Ramsbotham evidently a promising Apollo。 Her first meeting with him
had taken place at one of the many political debating societies then in
fashion； attendance at which Miss Ramsbotham found useful for
purposes of journalistic 〃copy。〃 Miss Ramsbotham； hitherto a Radical
of pronounced views； he had succeeded under three months in
converting into a strong supporter of the Gentlemanly Party。 His feeble
political platitudes； which a little while before she would have seized
upon merrily to ridicule； she now sat drinking in； her plain face suffused
with admiration。 Away from him and in connection with those
subjectssomewhat numerousabout which he knew little and cared
less； she retained her sense and humour； but in his presence she
remained comparatively speechless； gazing up into his somewhat watery
eyes with the grateful expression of one learning wisdom from a master。
Her absurd adorationirritating beyond measure to her friends； and
which even to her lover； had he possessed a grain of sense； would have
73
… Page 74…
Tommy and Co。
appeared ridiculousto Master Peters was evidently a gratification。 Of
selfish； exacting nature； he must have found the services of this brilliant
woman of the world of much practical advantage。 Knowing all the
most interesting people in London； it was her pride and pleasure to
introduce him everywhere。 Her friends put up with him for her sake； to
please her made him welcome； did their best to like him； and disguised
their failure。 The free entry to a places of amusement saved his limited
purse。 Her influence； he had instinct enough to perceive； could not fail
to be of use to him in his profession： that of a barrister。 She praised
him to prominent solicitors； took him to tea with judges' wives；
interested examiners on his behalf。 In return he overlooked her many
disadvantages； and did not fail to let her know it。 Miss Ramsbotham's
gratitude was boundless。
〃I do so wish I were younger and better looking；〃 she sighed to the
bosom friend。 〃For myself； I don't mind； I have got used to it。 But it
is so hard on Reggie。 He feels it； I know he does； though he never
openly complains。〃
〃He would be a cad if he did；〃 answered Susan Fossett； who having
tried conscientiously for a month to tolerate the fellow； had in the end
declared her inability even to do more than avoid open expression of
cordial dislike。 〃Added to which I don't quite see of what use it would
be。 You never told him you were young and pretty； did you？〃
〃I told him； my dear；〃 replied Miss Ramsbotham； 〃the actual truth。 I
don't want to take any credit for doing so； it seemed the best course。
You see； unfortunately； I look my age。 With most men it would have
made a difference。 You have no idea how good he is。 He assured me
he had engaged himself to me with his eyes open； and that there was no
need to dwell upon unpleasant topics。 It is so wonderful to me that he
should care for mehe who could have half the women in London at his
feet。〃
〃Yes； he's the type that would attract them； I daresay；〃 agreed Susan
Fossett。 〃But are you quite sure that he does？care for you； I mean。〃
〃My dear；〃 returned Miss Ramsbotham； 〃you remember
Rochefoucauld's definition。 'One loves； the other consents to be loved。'
74
… Page 75…
Tommy and Co。
If he will only let me do that I shall be content。 It is more than I had
any right to expect。〃
〃Oh； you are a fool；〃 told her bluntly her bosom friend。
〃I know I am；〃 admitted Miss Ramsbotham； 〃but I had no idea that
being a fool was so delightful。〃
Bohemia grew day by day more indignant and amazed。 Young Peters
was not even a gentleman。 All the little offices of courtship he left to
her。 It was she who helped him on with his coat； and afterwards
adjusted her own cloak； she who carried the parcel； she who followed
into and out of the restaurant。 Only when he thought anyone was
watching would he make any attempt to behave to her with even
ordinary courtesy。 He bullied her； contradicted her in public； ignored
her openly。 Bohemia fumed with impotent rage； yet was bound to
confess that so far as Miss Ramsbotham herself was concerned he had
done more to make her happy than had ever all Bohemia put together。
A tender light took up its dwelling in her eyes； which for the first time it
was noticed were singularly deep and expressive。 The blood； of which
she possessed if anything too much； now came and went； so that her
cheeks； in place of their insistent red； took on a varied pink and white。
Life had entered her thick dark hair； giving to it shade and shadow。
The woman began to grow younger。 She put on flesh。 Sex； hitherto
dormant； began to show itself； femininities peeped out。 New tones；
suggesting possibilities； crept into her voice。 Bohemia congratulated
itself that the affair； after all； might turn out well。
Then Master Peters spoiled everything by showing a better side to
his nature； and； careless of all worldly considerations； falling in love
himself； honestly； with a girl at the bun shop。 He did the best thing
under the circumstances that he could have done： told Miss
Ramsbotham the plain truth； and left the decision in her hands。
Miss Ramsbotham acted as anyone who knew her would have foretold。
Possibly； in the silence of her delightful little four…roomed flat over the
tailor's shop in Marylebone Road； her sober； worthy maid dismissed for
a holiday； she may have shed some tears； but； if so； no trace of them was
allowed to mar the peace of mind of Mr。 Peters。 She merely thanked
75
… Page 76…
Tommy and Co。
him for being frank with her； and by a little present pain saving them
both a future of disaster。 It was quite understandable； she knew he had
never really been in love with her。 She had thought him the type of
man that never does fall in love； as the word is generally understood
Miss Ramsbotham did not add； with anyone except himselfand had
that been the case； and he content merely to be loved； they might have
been happy together。 As it waswell； it was fortunate he had found out
the truth before it was too late。 Now； would he take her advice？
Mr。 Peters was genuinely grateful； as well he might be； and would
consent to any suggestion that Miss Ramsbotham might make； felt he
had behaved shabbily； was very much ashamed of himself； would be
guided in all things by Miss Ramsbotham； whom he should always
regard as the truest of friends； and so on。
Miss Ramsbotham's suggestion was this： Mr。 Peters； no more robust
of body than of mind； had been speaking for some time past of travel。
Having nothing to do now but to wait