The Tenth Man. W. Somerset Maugham

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ I haven’t. When I thought that everything was over for me and that life was meaningless, I found it was only just beginning. And I thanked God for all I’d gone through because perhaps it made me less unfit for the great love that descended upon me.

      Lady Francis.

      It’s Robert Colby, isn’t it?

      Catherine.

      Yes.

      Lady Francis.

      And you’ve made your arrangements, I suppose, to be married as soon as the decree is made absolute?

      Catherine.

      We haven’t discussed the matter.

      Lady Francis.

      But still, I may take it that is the intention?

      Catherine.

      Yes.

      Lady Francis.

      Your father wishes me to tell you that if you quarrel with George it will ruin him. He could hardly keep the position that George has given him on his various boards.

      Catherine.

      You will be no worse off than before I married.

      Lady Francis.

      Except that it appears your father owes George fifteen thousand pounds.

      Catherine.

      Do you want to cheat me again out of the little happiness that seems in store for me?

      Lady Francis.

      I want you to do what is right in your own eyes.

      Catherine.

      How can you be so cruel?

      George Winter.

      [Opening the door.] May I come in?

      [He enters with Francis Etchingham. George Winter is a man of powerful build, with fine hair and fine eyes; he wears a short red beard. He is inclined to corpulence, but bears himself with an attractive swagger. He is a jovial, bland fellow. He appears to be the best-natured person in the world, and his great astuteness suggests itself only now and then in a look of his eyes. He has admirable control over an execrable temper. Catherine turns round with a startled cry at the sound of her husband’s voice.

      Catherine.

      George!

      George Winter.

      My dear, look pleased to see me. It’s only decent.

      Catherine.

      It’s infamous that you should come here. If you had any decent feeling. …

      George Winter.

      [Blandly.] My dear child, I had a business engagement with your father. It’s unreasonable to expect me not to keep it because you have temporarily abandoned the conjugal roof.

      Catherine.

      [To her father.] You might have warned me.

      Etchingham.

      My dear, I was hoping that after a talk with your mother you’d have. …

      Catherine.

      [Interrupting.] What can I do to show you that I’ve made up my mind for good and all?

      George Winter.

      Even after one’s made up one’s mind, it’s not too late to listen to reason.

      Lady Francis.

      I think for all our sakes you should listen to anything that George has to say.

      Catherine.

      [To George Winter.] Do you understand what my mother means?

      George Winter.

      [With a little chuckle.] I dimly suspect.

      Catherine.

      My father owes you a lot of money. He’s chairman of half your companies. He thinks that if I divorce you he’ll have to pay that money. …

      George Winter.

      I’m sure his sense of delicacy would prevent him from remaining in my debt.

      Catherine.

      And you’ll make him resign his directorships?

      George Winter.

      [With his tongue in his cheek.] I know him well enough to feel certain that he would never wish to retain them.

      Catherine.

      Oh, it’s vile.

      George Winter.

      Or is it common sense?

      [There is a moment’s pause, and when George Winter speaks it is with great seriousness.

      George Winter.

      Now look here, Kate; listen to me carefully. You know that all our interests are in Central America. The Lewishams had it all their own way out there till I came along. They owned the railways and the mines and the trams—everything that was worth having. Well, I knew I couldn’t oust them, but I thought I could make them take me in. I’ve been fighting them tooth and nail for ten years. They’ve done all they could to smash me by fair means and foul, but they haven’t succeeded. And now I’m in sight of my goal. I can force them to come to terms.

      Catherine.

      All this is nothing to me.

      George Winter.

      The Lewishams got on to a big thing—a mine called the Campo del Oro. But that earthquake the other day queered their pitch, and they offered bills when hard cash was the only thing to do the trick. I thought that what was good enough for the Lewishams was good enough for me. I knew that if I could get it they’d have to take me in. I had two hours to think it over. I found the cash and bought the mine last week.

      Catherine.

      It doesn’t interest me.

      George Winter.

      It will. I sent Macdonald out there.

      Etchingham.

      Macdonald is George’s expert. He’s the soundest man in the profession.

      George СКАЧАТЬ