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first of their mutual services by making him look at his native city objectively. Viewed thus, as through the wrong end of a telescope, it looked disconcertingly small and distant; but then from Samarkand it would. A flame darted from the logs and she bent over the fire, stretching her thin hands so close to it that a faint halo shone about the oval nails. The light touched to russet the rings of dark hair escaping from her braids, and made her pale face paler. There are plenty of people to tell you what to do, Archer rejoined, obscurely envious of them. Ohall my aunts? And my dear old Granny? She considered the idea impartially. Theyre all a little vexed with me for setting up for myselfpoor Granny especially. She wanted to keep me with her; but I had to be free He was impressed by this light way of speaking of the formidable Catherine, and moved by the thought of what must have given Madame Olenska this thirst for even the loneliest kind of freedom. But the idea of Beaufort gnawed him. I think I understand how you feel, he said. Still, your family can advise you; explain differences; show you the way. She lifted her thin black eyebrows. Is New York such a labyrinth? I thought it so straight up and down like Fifth Avenue. And with all the cross streets numbered! She seemed to guess his faint disapproval of this, and added, with the rare smile that enchanted her whole face: If you knew how I like it for just that the straight-up-and-downness, and the big honest labels on everything! He saw his chance. Everything may be labelled but everybody is not. Perhaps. I may simplify too muchbut youll warn me if I do. She turned from the fire to look at him. There are only two people here who make me feel as if they understood what I mean and could explain things to me: you and Mr. Beaufort. Archer winced at the joining of the names, and then, with a quick readjustment, understood, sympathised and pitied. So close to the powers of evil she must have lived that she still breathed more freely in their air. But since she felt that he understood her also, his business would be to make her see Beaufort as he really was, with all he representedand abhor it. He answered gently: I understand. But just at first dont let go of your old friends hands: I mean the older women, your Granny Mingott, Mrs. Welland, Mrs. van der Luyden. They like and admire youthey want to help you. She shook her head and sighed. Oh, I knowI know! But on condition that they dont hear anything unpleasant. Aunt Welland put it in those very words when I tried. . . . Does no one want to know the truth here, Mr. Archer? The real loneliness is living among all these kind people who only ask one to pretend! She lifted her hands to her face, and he saw her thin shoulders shaken by a sob. Madame Olenska!Oh, dont, Ellen, he cried, starting up and bending over her. He drew down one of her hands, clasping and chafing it like a childs while he murmured reassuring words; but in a moment she freed herself, and looked up at him with wet lashes. Does no one cry here, either? I suppose theres no need to, in heaven, she said, straightening her loosened braids with a laugh, and bending over the tea- kettle. It was burnt into his consciousness that he had called her Ellencalled her so twice; and that she had not noticed it. Far down the inverted telescope he saw the faint white figure of May Wellandin New York. Suddenly Nastasia put her head in to say something in her rich Italian. |
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