The Complete Project Gutenberg Works of Galsworthy

the round of the family, and created the flutter that any

ness of her heart, had told Mrs. Small, giving her leave only to tell Aunt Ann-she thought

miling as she lay back on her pillows, s

e; but I hope they will be c

frown, like a cloud presaging a

er will went on all the time; it spread to her face, too, and tigh

formed every morning with extreme punctiliousness the crowning ceremony of that ancient toilet. Taking from the recesses of their pure whi

a house; whether young Roger's wife was really-expecting; how the operation on Archie had succeeded; and what Swithin had done about that empty house in Wigmore Street, where the tenant had lost all his money and treated him so badl

r turn had asked Winifred Dartie for confirmation, supposing, of course, that, being Soames's sister, she would kn

go direct to Soames himself, of whose taciturnity he was

ry good of dear Soames, they thought, to employ Mr. Bosinney, but rather risky. What had George named him? 'The Buccaneer' How droll! But George was alway

here b

es wants with a young man like that. I shouldn't be sur

dn't wish it mentioned. He wouldn't like it to be talked about

is hand beh

a bad toe. We shan't be able to start for Wales till the end of the month. There'

n a visit to the country. He took the slanting path from the Bayswater side of the Row to the Knightsbridge Gate, across a pasture of short, burnt grass, dotted

or speculation in his mind. These corpses flung down, there, from out the press and turmoil of the struggle, these pairs of lovers sitting cheek by jowl for an hour of idle Elysium snatched fro

ve question whether he had not better turn him out at once, and so run the risk of not re-letting before

e silk in the middle. And, with his thin, high shoulders stooped, his long legs moving with swift mechanical precision, this passage through the Park, where the sun shone with

the arm as he came

of Piccadilly, where he had been walking home f

s; "I was, just coming to you, bu

nattached. Perhaps they regarded one another as an investment; certainly they were solicitous of each other's welfare, glad of each other's company.

them was a cold-blooded man. Indeed, in James love of his children was now the prime motive of his existence. To have creatures who were parts of himself, to whom he might transmit t

d loved with such a dumb love, as the centre of his opportunities. He had the marvellous instinctive sanity of the middle class. In him-more than in Jolyon, with his masterful will and his moments of tenderness and philosophy-more than in Swithin

sions were formed of a cream which he skimmed off the family mind; and, through that family, off the minds of thousands of other families of similar fibre. Year after year, week after week, he went to Timothy's, and in his brother's front draw

his feelings towards his own children; it was a nightmare to him to think of them exposed to the treatment of the world, in money, health, or reputation. When his old friend John Street's son volunteered for special service, he shook his head querulo

t; the knell of all prosperity seemed to have sounded. It took him three months and a visit to Baden-Baden to get better; ther

and children as in the nature of personal grievances, special interventions of Providence for the purpose of destroying his peace of mind; but

as: "What can they expe

ot ca

om anybody; and Ann, she was ill-he did not believe she would last through the summer; he had called there three times now without her being able to see him! And this

nner, was seated in the drawing-room. She was wearing her gold-coloured frock-for, having been displayed at a dinner-party, a soiree, and a

vated voice. "I never see Rachel and Cicely looking

to prove to him th

uctive perfume exhaling from her. No self-respecting Forsyte surrendered at a blow; s

ated him in Soames's usual place, round the corner on her left. The light fell softly there, so that

of praise. He felt that what he was eating was agreeing with him; he could not get that feeling at home; he did not know when he had enjoyed a glass of champagne so much, and, on inquiring the brand a

rom his food

. Now, what did you give for that sugar-sift

ppearance of a picture, on the wall op

it was so g

drawing-room, and James

wn on her shoulder; "nothing heavy-and not too Frenchified. But I can't get it at

nor did he when Soames, pleading the excuse of business, beto

you, and seemed to understand what you were saying; and, while talking, he kept examining her figure, from her bronze-coloured shoes to the waved gold of her hair. She was leaning back in an Empire chair,

d a sudden dumbness to fall on James. He did not remember ever having been quite alone with Irene before. And,

hinking about-sitt

sharper voice, as if he had bee

self all day?" he said.

k L

did not look at her. He did not want to believe tha

ell me she's never at home now; your Uncle Jolyon he doesn't like it, I fancy, being left so much alone as he is. They tell me she's always hanging about for this young Bosinney;

rene's face; and James w

uite understand Mr.

e artistic chaps. They say he's clever-they all think they're clever. You know m

ames," she said softly, evident

d James; "I don't know what Soames wants with a young

Bosinney is

d took a turn

ng people, you all stick togeth

sed a finger, and levelled it at her bosom, as t

call themselves, they're as unreliable as they can be; and

nce. Her breast rose and fell as though with secret anger; she drew her hands inwards from their rest on

omily scrutini

"it's a pity you haven't got a chi

became conscious of the rigidity that took possession of her

, and like most men with but little courage, he

Hurlingham with us? And go to the theatre now and then. At your time

darkened on her fa

ything. Soames ought to be able to take care of himself. If h

finger he stole a cold, sharp

wn, so dark and deep, that he stopped,

be asked to stop. Giving his hand to Irene, he allowed himself to be conducted to the door, and let out into the street. He would not have a cab,

tell her that it was his impression things were in a bad way at Soames's; on this theme he descanted for half an

y the last post. She turned back into the drawing-room; but in a minute came out, and stood as if listening. Then she came stealing up the stairs, wi

aw him, and he

rs for me?

hr

out another word she pas