The White Rose of Memphis. Falkner William Clark

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СКАЧАТЬ she made the heels of her little boots clatter against the floor rapidly, and I could see by the sparkle of her eyes that she meant what she said. I was partially pleased, and partially vexed – pleased to hear her say that she never would marry any man unless she loved him; vexed to hear her speak of her love toward me as a dear brother– I wanted a different sort of love. She now took the beautiful white rose from her throat and put it in the button-hole of my coat, and while she was doing so her lovely face was within three inches of mine, and I felt her cool breath gently touching my cheek. When she finished the job, over which I thought she lingered a long time, she gave me a gentle slap on the cheek and said:

      “‘There, now, that is very nice; and I want you to drive away that ugly frown from your brow, and go in and help me to entertain my guests. Will you do it?’

      “‘Yes, Lottie, you know I will do anything to please you; but stop a moment – I want to know what you meant by composing such a song as the one you sang a moment ago? Who is it that loved you truly then, and loves you now no more?’

      “‘Ask me no questions, and I will tell you no falsehoods, but I guess you could answer that question better than I could. But come along now – we must go in, for I heard some one inquiring for me; give me your arm, and don’t forget the ugly frown.’

      “‘Trust me now, Lottie, and I’ll be as polite to your guests as a French dancing master.’

      “‘Good enough, Edward! so come along.’

      “We returned to the ball-room, when Mr. Heartsell came up to engage Lottie as his partner for the next set.

      “‘I beg you to excuse me, Mr. Heartsell – I am going to dance with Mr. Demar in this set.’

      “Now here was unmistakable evidence of partiality on Lottie’s part toward me, for I had not asked her to dance with me; in fact, I had not intended to dance any more that night.

      “My self-conceit went up to a premium, my heart swelled with indescribable delight, and I began to think that after all I was not to be laid entirely on the shelf. I knew that Heartsell was going to be a suitor for Lottie’s hand, and I considered him my most dangerous rival, as I was aware of the fact that he was Mr. Rockland’s favorite. He bit his lip with vexation as I led Lottie off to begin the waltz, while a feeling of triumph swelled up in my bosom. When the waltz was ended, Lottie parted from me as she whispered:

      “‘Now, Eddie, remember my guests, and try to help to entertain them.’

      “As she left me, Heartsell drew up in front of me, and stared at me for a moment, while I thought that I perceived something like a sneer of contempt play for a second on his face. ‘Hullo, Demar!’ he exclaimed, ‘where did you get that beautiful white rose?’

      “‘That, sir, was fastened here by the prettiest girl in this room,’ I replied, haughtily, as I drew myself up and walked away. I saw his cheeks grow purple with anger as he went toward Lottie, who was talking with a middle-aged lady near by.

      “‘Miss Wallingford,’ he said as he bowed low before her, ‘will you honor me with a short interview?’

      “Without uttering a word, Lottie took his arm and was led out through a side door which opened on the corridor. They came round on the outside of the room and stopped within six feet of the seat where I was, and immediately opposite a window, the sash of which was up, but the curtains were down. I knew from the tone of Mr. Heartsell’s voice that he was angry with Lottie about something.

      “‘You seem to be enjoying yourself better than usual to-night.’

      “‘Why should I not enjoy myself when I am among so many good kind friends?’

      “‘I am truly glad to see you enjoying the society of your very good friend.’

      “‘Why do you choose to use the singular number?’

      “‘Because if you have any more than one friend (and I am happy to believe you have), you have been very careful to avoid letting them know that you recognized them.’

      “‘Why, Mr. Heartsell, how can you be so unjust as to say that?’

      “‘How many times have you danced with me to-night?’

      “‘Once.’

      “‘How many times with Mr. Campston?’

      “‘I have not danced with him at all.’

      “‘Did he ask you?’

      “‘Yes.’

      “‘How many sets have you danced with Demar?’

      “‘Two.’

      “‘“Now, in the name of all the gods at once, upon what meat doth this our Cæsar feed that he is grown so great? Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world like a Colossus, and we petty men walk under his huge legs and peep about to find ourselves dishonorable graves.”’

      “‘If your sarcasm is intended for Mr. Demar, I beg permission to say that you might find a dishonorable grave without peeping about his legs to find it.’

      “‘Oh, I crave your pardon, Miss Wallingford, I assure you I meant no offense; but candidly, I should be glad to know what Demar has done to entitle him to such distinguished privileges? How is it that this great Cæsar can monopolize the beauteous belle of the ball, while we petty men must peep about among common people to find ourselves partners?’

      “‘Mr. Heartsell, it is not agreeable for me to listen to wit of this nature, because Mr. Demar has been to me a devoted friend, a true, noble, unselfish brother. Look at that scar on my wrist, if you please.’

      “‘Well, I see it; what about that?’

      “‘That scar was made by the poisonous fangs of a rattlesnake, and I would have died in ten minutes but that this generous, heroic brother drew the poison from my veins with his lips, and came very near losing his own life by the brave deed. Well may you compare him with Cæsar, because, while you do it in jest, I will do it in earnest, for his courage entitles him to all the honors that an inexperienced girl like me can bestow. If it should be my pleasure to grant him more favors than I do to other gentlemen, I trust I can do so without giving offense to them.’

      “‘Ah, Miss Wallingford, you are an eloquent orator, and if Cæsar did have his friend Marcus Antonius to defend him, Demar has a more eloquent defender in you. I envy him, and would make any sacrifice to win such favors as fall to his share. I dare say you are quite lucky to have two such brave, good brothers as Demar and Wallingford.’

      “‘Indeed, I think so, and am happy in the thought, too.’

      “‘By the by, Miss Wallingford, you have lost that beautiful white rose that I saw on your throat a while ago.’

      “‘You are mistaken, sir, I did not lose it.’

      “‘Ah, indeed! I asked you to give it to me, and you refused; you certainly did not present it to another gentleman?’

      “‘And why should I not give it to whom I pleased; was it not mine?’

      “‘Hem! yes, I cannot deny that, but such partiality as that would clip an insult very close, and I am loth to believe such a charming lady as Miss Wallingford would offer an indignity to one who loves СКАЧАТЬ