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How the rumour arose, then, that 'something very dreadful, my dear, was pending, no one, least of all Soames, could tell, secret as he kept everything. Possibly some eye had seen 'Forsyte v. Forsyte and Forsyte, in the cause list; and had added it to 'Irene in Paris with a fair beard. Possibly some wall at Park Lane had ears.
"You forget," he said with a queer pride, "I can hold on, too I'm a Forsyte myself. We're all in the path of great forces. The man who leaves the shelter of the wall well you know what I mean. I don't," he ended very low, as though uttering a threat, "recommend every man to-go-my-way. It depends." The colour rushed into Bosinney's face, but soon receded, leaving it sallow-brown as before.
Swithin ceased to wonder; he ceased to wonder at anything they did. One evening he found Boleskey deep in conversation with a pale, dishevelled-looking person. "Our friend Mr. Forsyte Count D....," said Boleskey.
He sealed this note but did not address it, refusing to write the maiden name which she had impudently resumed, or to put the word Forsyte on the envelope lest she should tear it up unread. Then he went out, and made his way through the glowing streets, abandoned to evening pleasure-seekers.
There is wonderful finality about a meal; it removes a world of doubts, for no one misses meals except for reasons beyond control. He played many games with Holly on the lawn, pitching them up to her who was batting so as to be ready to bowl to Jolly in the holidays. For she was not a Forsyte, but Jolly was and Forsytes always bat, until they have resigned and reached the age of eighty-five.
At Hyde Park Corner he ran into George Forsyte, very sunburnt from racing, holding a false nose in his hand. "Hallo, Soames!" he said, "have a nose!" Soames responded with a pale smile. "Got this from one of these sportsmen," went on George, who had evidently been dining; "had to lay him out for trying to bash my hat.
Nothing in this world is more sure to upset a Forsyte than the discovery that something on which he has stipulated to spend a certain sum has cost more. And this is reasonable, for upon the accuracy of his estimates the whole policy of his life is ordered. If he cannot rely on definite values of property, his compass is amiss; he is adrift upon bitter waters without a helm.
You went to sleep a long sleep; no dreams. A nap after dinner! Dinner! His tongue sought his palate! Yes! he could eat a good dinner! That dog hadn't put him off his stroke! The best dinner he had ever eaten was the one he gave to Jack Herring, Chichester, Thornworthy, Nick Treffry and Jolyon Forsyte at Pole's. Good Lord! In 'sixty yes 'sixty-five?
And then unseen, uneasy, flapping above them, trying to make noises, his Forsyte spirit watched her balanced on the log, her pretty figure swaying, smiling down at that young man gazing up with such strange, shining eyes, slipping now a ah! falling, o oh! sliding down his breast; her soft, warm body clutched, her head bent back from his lips; his kiss; her recoil; his cry: "You must know I love you!"
And touching there the bedrock of reality, the bottom of his Forsyte spirit, Soames rested for a moment. When one ceased, all ceased; it might go on, but there'd be nothing in it! He looked at his watch. In half an hour the doctor would be back. He must decide! If against the operation and she died, how face her mother and the doctor afterwards? How face his own conscience?
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