登陆注册
15465600000074

第74章 CHAPTER XX THE LADY FROM BEYOND(1)

The morning was sultry, brooding, steamy. Antonia was at her music, and from the room where Shelton tried to fix attention on a book he could hear her practising her scales with a cold fury that cast an added gloom upon his spirit. He did not see her until lunch, and then she again sat next the Connoisseur. Her cheeks were pale, but there was something feverish in her chatter to her neighbour; she still refused to look at Shelton. He felt very miserable. After lunch, when most of them had left the table, the rest fell to discussing country neighbours.

"Of course," said Mrs. Dennant, "there are the Foliots; but nobody calls on them.""Ah!" said the Connoisseur, "the Foliots--the Foliots--the people--er--who--quite so!"

"It's really distressin'; she looks so sweet ridin' about. Many people with worse stories get called on," continued Mrs. Dennant, with that large frankness of intrusion upon doubtful subjects which may be made by certain people in a certain way," but, after all, one couldn't ask them to meet anybody.""No," the Connoisseur assented. "I used to know Foliot. Thousand pities. They say she was a very pretty woman.""Oh, not pretty!" said Mrs. Dennant! "more interestin than pretty, Ishould say."

Shelton, who knew the lady slightly, noticed that they spoke of her as in the past. He did not look towards Antonia; for, though a little troubled at her presence while such a subject was discussed, he hated his conviction that her face, was as unruffled as though the Foliots had been a separate species. There was, in fact, a curiosity about her eyes, a faint impatience on her lips; she was rolling little crumbs of bread. Suddenly yawning, she muttered some remark, and rose. Shelton stopped her at the door.

"Where are you going?"

"For a walk."

"May n't I come?".

She shook her head.

"I 'm going to take Toddles."

Shelton held the door open, and went back to the table.

"Yes," the Connoisseur said, sipping at his sherry, "I 'm afraid it's all over with young Foliot.""Such a pity!" murmured Mrs. Dennant, and her kindly face looked quite disturbed. "I've known him ever since he was a boy. Of course, I think he made a great mistake to bring her down here. Not even bein' able to get married makes it doubly awkward. Oh, I think he made a great mistake!""Ah!" said the Connoisseur, "but d' you suppose that makes much difference? Even if What 's--his-name gave her a divorce, I don't think, don't you know, that--""Oh, it does! So many people would be inclined to look over it in time. But as it is it's hopeless, quite. So very awkward for people, too, meetin' them about. The Telfords and the Butterwicks--by the way, they're comin' here to dine to-night--live near them, don't you know.""Did you ever meet her before-er-before the flood?" the Connoisseur inquired; and his lips parting and unexpectedly revealing teeth gave him a shadowy resemblance to a goat.

"Yes; I did meet her once at the Branksomes'. I thought her quite a charmin' person.""Poor fellow!" said the Connoisseur; "they tell me he was going to take the hounds.""And there are his delightful coverts, too. Algie often used to shoot there, and now they say he just has his brother down to shoot with him. It's really quite too melancholy! Did you know him, Dick?""Foliot?" replied Shelton absently. "No; I never met him: I've seen her once or twice at Ascot."Through the window he could see Antonia in her scarlet Tam-o'-shanter, swinging her stick, and he got up feigning unconcern. Just then Toddles came bounding up against his sister. They went off arm in arm. She had seen him at the window, yet she gave no friendly glance; Shelton felt more miserable than ever. He stepped out upon the drive. There was a lurid, gloomy canopy above; the elm-trees drooped their heavy blackish green, the wonted rustle of the aspen-tree was gone, even the rooks were silent. A store of force lay heavy on the heart of nature. He started pacing slowly up and down, his pride forbidding him to follow her, and presently sat down on an old stone seat that faced the road. He stayed a long time staring at the elms, asking himself what he had done and what he ought to do.

And somehow he was frightened. A sense of loneliness was on him, so real, so painful, that he shivered in the sweltering heat. He was there, perhaps, an hour, alone, and saw nobody pass along the road.

Then came the sound of horse's hoofs, and at the same time he heard a motor-car approaching from the opposite direction. The rider made appearance first, riding a grey horse with an Arab's high set head and tail. She was holding him with difficulty, for the whirr of the approaching car grew every moment louder. Shelton rose; the car flashed by. He saw the horse stagger in the gate-way, crushing its rider up against the gatepost.

He ran, but before he reached the gate the lady was on foot, holding the plunging horse's bridle.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 王爷请靠边之本妃不侍寝

    王爷请靠边之本妃不侍寝

    别人穿越不是侯门千金就是宰相府嫡女,为什么她穿过去就是青楼里一舞女?还是挂牌脱光灌药的?哦MYGOD,要命啊!就算她上辈子为了活命做过领舞DJ,熟悉蛇舞钢管舞,你也不能让我在这破时代跳脱衣舞吧?没说的,肚子上切一刀,疼痛换回理智,赶紧逃吧……等等,这贱人是谁?怎么长的像那负心贼?不过,好老!啊啊!是这辈子的爹?!夭寿哦!老天,这老婆子说什么?要她嫁人?还是王爷?楚楚撇嘴,谁家的王爷会娶一个妓女?啊哈,原来是抬进王府做替身!替身就替身咯。但是,老娘替你老婆当刀子品毒药都是小事,这个侍寝就不用了吧?
  • 牛逼校草宠妻无限

    牛逼校草宠妻无限

    加群.334263600)洛雨一摊手表示很无辜:“真的不是我的错,桃花遍地开,只能说我魅力无限,都不用勾引的,各种美男自己就扑上来了。”某男危险一眯眼:等会扑得你下不了床”(绝对虐,但是收藏就…)
  • 现实之界

    现实之界

    这些人生活在现实中,却是仿佛隔离在普通人之外的凶兽,他们强大的力量,决定了他们不能够过平凡的生活,或许为了权势,或许为了亲友,或许为了承诺,或许为了生存.…..这一群人在我们的世界正在进行着一场场我们所不能接触的生死搏斗。现实之界,我们身处界中,却又身处界外。
  • 霸道凯,我爱你

    霸道凯,我爱你

    “雪灵,我们......分手吧。”“呵呵,王俊凯,没关系,我在你眼里就是一个玩具啊.......分手就分手,记住在每年的今天,我说我恨你!”
  • 邪魅五殿下PK腹黑五公主

    邪魅五殿下PK腹黑五公主

    她们是风靡全球的美少女更是世界八大家族的继承人,她们有着绝美的容貌有着强大的背景,他们是邪魅的皇家校草,更是黑道一手遮天的少主,她们和他们将是擦出怎样的火花,又有怎样的结局……
  • 幽冥重胜

    幽冥重胜

    幽冥与否,责任重大。我不想一辈子在黑暗中生活,杀人,嗜血。我能离开吗?——暗妍你觉得呢?似笑非笑。——诺幽
  • 执掌无尽世界

    执掌无尽世界

    一朵七彩莲花,居然蕴含了无尽世界,这其中又究竟拥有着怎样的秘密?高考落榜的孙宇辰,又为何能够得到七彩莲花的青眯?且看孙宇辰如何玩转地球,踏步无尽世界,成就无上强者,破解七彩莲花的秘密!
  • 胤王爷的命定妃

    胤王爷的命定妃

    女主夙惜遵从母亲遗愿进京寻父,在路上差点死去让凤修师徒所救,并认凤修为师。到了京城丞相府后爹不疼,还遭继母妹妹算计。机缘巧合遇到男主云胤,云胤对夙惜一见钟情去向皇帝求赐婚,而夙惜也对云胤日久生情而不自知,因误会带着儿子和肚子的龙凤胎离开,五年后被云惜默和龙凤胎兄妹打包送上给自己父亲。
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 亚莎年代记

    亚莎年代记

    跳海逃生的少年,在一座桃源小岛得到了创世始祖亚莎的力量,仁义礼智信忠孝,创世七神力与魔王七原罪,哪个才能继续书写历史新的篇章?“姐姐,为什么这本‘亚莎年代记’最后写着未完待续?”“花羽大人的故事,从他来到亚莎岛的时候开始,但是他的冒险,还远远没有结束……”