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！
e had desired marriage in order to acquire the respect and liberty of a married woman； but feeling towards her husband only a vague gratitude。 〃We end where others begin；〃 she had said to Desnoyers。
Their passion took the form of an intense； reciprocal and vulgar love。 They felt a romantic sentimentality in clasping hands or exchanging kisses on a garden bench in the twilight。 He was treasuring a ringlet of Marguerite'salthough he doubted its genuineness； with a vague suspicion that it might be one of the latest wisps of fashion。 She would cuddle down with her head on his shoulder； as though imploring his protection； although always in the open air。 If Julio ever attempted greater intimacy in a carriage； madame would repel him most vigorously。 A contradictory duality appeared to inspire her actions。 Every morning； on awaking； she would decide to yield； but then when near him； her middle…class respectability； jealous of its reputation； kept her faithful to her mother's teachings。
One day she agreed to visit his studio with the interest that the haunts of the loved one always inspires。 〃Promise that you will not take advantage of me。〃 He readily promised； swearing that everything should be as Marguerite wished。 。 。 。 But from that day they were no longer seen in the gardens； nor wandering around persecuted by the winter winds。 They preferred the studio； and Argensola had to rearrange his existence； seeking the stove of another artist friend； in order to continue his reading。
This state of things lasted two months。 They never knew what secret force suddenly disturbed their tranquility。 Perhaps one of her friends； guessing at the truth； had told the husband anonymously。 Perhaps it was she herself unconsciously； with her inexpressible happiness； her tardy returns home when dinner was already served； and the sudden aversion which she showed toward the engineer in their hours alone； trying to keep her heart faithful to her lover。 To divide her interest between her legal companion and the man she loved was a torment that her simple and vehement enthusiasm could not tolerate。
While she was hurrying one night through the rue de la Pompe； looking at her watch and trembling with impatience at not finding an automobile or even a cab； a man stood in front of her。 。 。 。 Etienne Laurier！ She always shuddered with fear on recalling that hour。 For a moment she believed that he was going to kill her。 Serious men； quiet and diffident； are most terrible in their explosions of wrath。 Her husband knew everything。 With the same patience that he employed in solving his industrial problems； he had been studying her day by day； without her ever suspecting the watchfulness behind that impassive countenance。 Then he had followed her in order to complete the evidence of his misfortune。
Marguerite had never supposed that he could be so common and noisy in his anger。 She had expected that he would accept the facts coldly with that slight tinge of philosophical irony usually shown by distinguished men； as the husbands of her friends had done。 But the poor engineer who； outside of his work； saw only his wife； loving her as a woman； and adoring her as a dainty and superior being； a model of grace and elegance； could not endure the thought of her downfall； and cried and threatened without reserve； so that the scandal became known throughout their entire circle of friends。 The senator felt greatly annoyed in remembering that it was in his exclusive home that the guilty ones had become acquainted； but his displeasure was visited upon the husband。 What lack of good taste！ 。 。 。 Women will be women； and everything is capable of adjustment。 But before the imprudent outbursts of this frantic devil no elegant solution was possible； and there was now nothing to do but to begin divorce proceedings。
Desnoyers； senior； was very indignant upon learning of this last escapade of his son。 He had always had a great liking for Laurier。 That instinctive bond which exists between men of industry； patient and silent； had made them very congenial。 At the senator's receptions he had always talked with the engineer about the progress of his business； interesting himself in the development of that factory of which he always spoke with the affection of a father。 The millionaire； in spite of his reputation for miserliness； had even volunteered his disinterested support if at any time it should become necessary to enlarge the plant。 And it was this good man's happiness that his son； a frivolous and useless dancer； was going to steal！ 。 。 。
At first Laurier spoke of a duel。 His wrath was that of a work horse who breaks the tight reins of his laboring outfit； tosses his mane； neighs wildly and bites。 The father was greatly distressed at the possibility of such an outcome。 。 。 。 One scandal more！ Julio had dedicated the greater part of his existence to the handling of arms。
〃He will kill the poor man！〃 he said to the senator。 〃I am sure that he will kill him。 It is the logic of life； the good…for… nothing always kill those who amount to anything。〃
But there was no killing。 The Father of the Republic knew how to handle the clashing parties； with the same skill that he always employed in the corridors of the Senate during a ministerial crisis。 The scandal was hushed up。 Marguerite went to live with her mother and took the first steps for a divorce。
Some evenings； when the studio clock was striking seven； she would yawn and say sadly： 〃I must go。 。 。 。 I have to go； although this is my true home。 。 。 。 Ah； what a pity that we are not married！〃
And he； feeling a whole garden of bourgeois virtues； hitherto ignored； bursting into bloom； repeated in a tone of conviction：
〃That's so； why are we not married！〃
Their wishes could be realized。 The husband was facilitating the step by his unexpected intervention。 So young Desnoyers set forth for South America in order to raise the money and marry Marguerite。
CHAPTER IV
THE COUSIN FROM BERLIN
The studio of Julio Desnoyers was on the top floor； both the stairway and the elevator stopping before his door。 The two tiny apartments at the back were lighted by an interior court； their only means of communication being the service stairway which went on up to the garrets。
While his comrade was away； Argensola had made the acquaintance of those in the neighboring lodgings。 The largest of the apartments was empty during the day； its occupants not returning till after they had taken their evening meal in a restaurant。 As both husband and wife were employed outside； they could not remain at home except on holidays。 The man； vigorous and of a martial aspect； was superintendent in a big department store。 。 。 。 He had been a soldier in Africa； wore a military decoration； and had the rank of sub…lieutenant in the Reserves。 She was a blonde； heavy and rather anaemic； with bright eyes and a sentimental expression。 On holidays she spent long hours at the piano； playing musical reveries； always the same。 At other times Argensola saw her through the interior window working in the kitchen aided by her companion； the two laughing over their clumsiness and inexperience in preparin