The Wings of the Dove Henry James (android based ebook reader TXT) đ
- Author: Henry James
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Densher could ask himself that even after she had presently lighted the tall candles on the mantel-shelf. This was all their illumination but the fire, and she had proceeded to it with a quiet dryness that yet left play, visibly, to her implication between them, in their trouble and failing anything better, of the presumably genial Christmas hearth. So far as the genial went this had in strictness, given their conditions, to be all their geniality. He had told her in his note nothing but that he must promptly see her and that he hoped she might be able to make it possible; but he understood from the first look at her that his promptitude was already having for her its principal reference. âI was prevented this morning, in the few minutes,â he explained, âasking Mrs. Lowder if she had let you know, though I rather gathered she had; and itâs what Iâve been in fact since then assuming. It was because I was so struck at the moment with your having, as she did tell me, so suddenly come here.â
âYes, it was sudden enough.â Very neat and fine in the contracted firelight, with her hands in her lap, Kate considered what he had said. He had spoken immediately of what had happened at Sir Luke Strettâs door. âShe has let me know nothing. But that doesnât matterâ âif itâs what you mean.â
âItâs part of what I mean,â Densher said; but what he went on with, after a pause during which she waited, was apparently not the rest of that. âShe had had her telegram from Mrs. Stringham; late last night. But to me the poor lady hasnât wired. The event,â he added, âwill have taken place yesterday, and Sir Luke, starting immediately, one can see, and travelling straight, will get back tomorrow morning. So that Mrs. Stringham, I judge, is left to face in some solitude the situation bequeathed to her. But of course,â he wound up, âSir Luke couldnât stay.â
Her look at him might have had in it a vague betrayal of the sense that he was gaining time. âWas your telegram from Sir Luke?â
âNoâ âIâve had no telegram.â
She wondered. âBut not a letterâ â?â
âNot from Mrs. Stringhamâ âno.â He failed again however to develop thisâ âfor which her forbearance from another question gave him occasion. From whom then had he heard? He might at last, confronted with her, really have been gaining time; and as if to show that she respected this impulse she made her enquiry different. âShould you like to go out to herâ âto Mrs. Stringham?â
About that at least he was clear. âNot at all. Sheâs alone, but sheâs very capable and very courageous. Besidesâ â!â He had been going on, but he dropped.
âBesides,â she said, âthereâs Eugenio? Yes, of course one remembers Eugenio.â
She had uttered the words as definitely to show them for not untender; and he showed equally every reason to assent. âOne remembers him indeed, and with every ground for it. Heâll be of the highest value to herâ âheâs capable of anything. What I was going to say,â he went on, âis that some of their people from America must quickly arrive.â
On this, as happened, Kate was able at once to satisfy him. âMr. Someone-or-other, the person principally in charge of Millyâs affairsâ âher first trustee, I supposeâ âhad just got there at Mrs. Stringhamâs last writing.â
âAh that then was after your aunt last spoke to meâ âI mean the last time before this morning. Iâm relieved to hear it. So,â he said, âtheyâll do.â
âOh theyâll do.â And it came from each still as if it wasnât what each was most thinking of. Kate presently got however a step nearer to that. âBut if you had been wired to by nobody what then this morning had taken you to Sir Luke?â
âOh something elseâ âwhich Iâll presently tell you. Itâs what made me instantly need to see you; itâs what Iâve come to speak to you of. But in a minute. I feel too many things,â he went on, âat seeing you in this place.â He got up as he spoke; she herself remained perfectly still. His movement had been to the fire, and, leaning a little, with his back to it, to look down on her from where he stood, he confined himself to his point. âIs it anything very bad that has brought you?â
He had now in any case said enough to justify her wish for more; so that, passing this matter by, she pressed her own challenge. âDo you mean, if I may ask, that she, dyingâ â?â Her face, wondering,
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