The Whirlpool

Her letter, however amusing, was deliberate impertinence; to have answered it in a serio

part? Plainly, Alma had returned to England in no amiable mood; in all probability she resented her step-mother's behaviour, now that it had been explained to her; th

im, and lured his fancy with a wanton seduction. In self-defence-pathetic stratagem of intellectual man at issue with the flesh-he fell back upon the idealism which ever strives to endow a fair woman with a beautiful soul; he endeavoured to forget her body in contemplation of the spiritual excellencies that might lurk behind it. To depreciate her was simpler, and had generally been his wont; but subjugation had reached another stage in him. He summoned all possible p

she had undergone, there would have been excuse enough for decline of character, to say nothing of a lapse from the articles of good breeding. This letter of hers, what did it signify but the revolt of a spirit of independence, irritated by all mann

gentleman. And how many a time, in how many situa

ceased to trouble. As the fates directed, so be it. He beg

opposite side of the platform, and among them he saw Alma. On her way towards the stairs she was obliged to pass him; he kept his position, and only

t soon after I had written, and I

Harvey replied. 'I ought not

considered. I'm rather i

fered her hand. Harvey watc

didn't-please not to reply to this, but let us see you on Wednesday afternoon, just in the ordinary way. If Mamma has been told, still don't trouble to write

For that escape he had no longer much mind. Quite consciously, and with uneasiness which was now taking a new form, he had yielded to Alma's fascination. However contemptible

ould have been quieter or more home-like. No sooner had he entered than he overcame all restraint, all misgiving; there was nothing here today but peace and good feeling, gentle voices a

on friends, the Carnabys, asking whether

,' he answered. 'But I haven't

e, they had spent a fortnight at Melbourne, and were going on to Brisbane. Mr. Carnaby

had persuaded Carnaby to take an active interest in his projects. Discussion on speculative enterprises did not recommend itself to t

es back! Before she left England, I'm sure she hadn't the least idea in what part of Australia Brisbane was, or M

ustralian geograph

ven't you b

is beyond seas. I would have children taught all about the Colonies before bothering them with his

lau

ll sorts of things I've heard you say at other times.-Do you think, Mamma

peared in her today; manipulating the coloured silks, she only now

very theoretical, your admiration of the new countries. And I believe you woul

of mind, t

ed. You always smile at other people's conf

thought one of my faul

s how little we

at this moment in a perfectly new light; he could not have pictured her so simple of manner, so direct, so placi

ut your wanderings in France this summer. Engli

d fighting-ground of French and English-interesting

ad a serious illness.-Did Mr. Rolfe tell you, Mamma de

ew nothing of it. Harvey, obliged to narrate, did so

experiences,' said Alma. 'And when

f going for the winter to a place in Nort

n), he had come upon this still little town between the mountains and the shore, amid a country shining with yellow g

ace for a pedant to escape to, and live the

ightful for people who are

hough even then the civilised per

I'm sure it's nothing but affectation when

y I hope I

mildest humour today. We mustn't expect any reproofs for our good.

am spoke in a

here, Mr Rolfe, you can't think how I have got to enjoy the simplicity of this kind of life. Everything is so easy; things go so

ean by over-civilisatio

e houses would agree with Mrs. Frothingham. It's easy to imagine a time when such burde

e nonsense. I agree with that. We

gnised. For a moment her face lost its placid smile, and Harvey hop

gham, with feeling, 'that most ha

' asked Alma. 'Don't you think w

now what you mean by t

ife without poverty, I should say. I'm thinking of disregard for other people's foolish opi

requires courage

ping up houses and things they can't afford, when, if they only considered themselves, their income would

hed to have more of Alma's views in this direction. They seemed to strike

p fashionable extravagance just because they saw it to be foolish. People haven't the strength of mind. I dare say,'

m?' Rol

uaintances who we

envy are not commonly excited

than merely reasonable. It would

smiling sadly, 'people would never bel

e it. It would depend entirel

throw it aside. Harvey noticed a shadow on her f

y concluded that it was probably as void of meaning as of event. Alma, on friendly terms once more with her step-mother, felt for the moment amiably disposed towards everyone, himself included; this idle good humour and insignificant talk was meant, no doubt, for an apology, all he had to ex

rs to the Frothinghams' flat; even more nervous than last time, much more ashamed of himself, and utterly doubtful as to his reception. The maid a

aid, languidly shaking hands wit

t. She seated herself with a lifeless movement, l

speech-'that Wednesday was pro

arranged our life. We are glad to see our

lowed, their eyes met, and, as though it were too much trouble to avert her

e?' fell from her lips, just

fault on my side. You wrote under such a strange miscon

ember what I said, but I know it must have been outrageous. After that

ithout any evidence, that I came

good-humoured, and Alma

ng about her affairs, and mentioned that she had co

must say,' remark

k logic is my

ade her companion, like an influence from the air; he gazed at her, perceiving a new beauty in the half-upturned face, a new seductiveness in the slim, abandoned b

ted to what she was doing. Nothing of the kind. I didn't quite see why she had kept it from me, that was all. It was as if she felt afraid of my greediness. But I'm

and spoke in

about one person, wh

rs. Ab

rvant appeared with tea. Alma slowly raised herself, and, whilst she plied the office of hostess, Harv

door sounded a rat-tat-tat, causing him silently to execrate the intruder, whoever it might be. Unheeding, and as if she had not hear

Abbo

, as if beginning a remark

thing. A friend of hers, a Mrs. Langland, who lives at Gunnersbury, was very kind and helpful. They talked things ove

dren of

he care of two, whose mother-a cousin of h

n a

ret to starve, or go to the workhouse, or anything else. A

bott has to

ld take them. Th

mention th

ought it

arrassing to Harvey. He broke it

practised

the abse

ther tired, as if you ha

too hard,' said

ember that it is a

rly hard just now; thinking a good deal, though. Suppose you let me have your thought

ding her steadily. 'At all events'-his voi

ty of courage, and quite enough obstinacy. It rather d

nderstand,' m

with Mamma, as I suspected, but you think about me just as she does.-No, let me go on, then you shall confess I was right. You have no faith in my powers, to begin with. It seems to you very unlikely that an everyday sort of girl, whom you have met in society and k

ssion, as he listened and fi

y that these thing

this moment, that's quite ce

, wha

rrelling with me. Why do you use this tone? Do I strike

t subdued her. Sh

see you in

a man, and one who has-perhaps-the misfortune to see i

here sounded again a rat-tat at the outer door. Through his whirling senses, Harvey was aware of the threatened interruption, and all but cursed aloud.

rtune, you

mbs more conventionally; also in the tuning of

rhaps the

turned to the door. 'Perhaps is a great word; one of th

ngham had j