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Updated: May 17, 2025
Lessingham's quarters were in Rue de Belle Chasse, and the Elgars found a suitable dwelling in the same street. Their child was born, and for a few months all questions were postponed to that of its health and Cecily's. The infant gave a good deal of trouble, was anything but robust; the mother did not regain her strength speedily. The immediate effect of paternity upon Elgar was amusing.
He recurred to it several times, and always successfully. Sunday came. This evening would see Elgar back again. No doubt of his return had yet entered his mind. Whether Reuben would in reality settle to some kind of work was a different question; but of course he would come back, if it were only to say that he had kept his promise, but found he must set off again to some place or other.
Now Dudda, perplexed as I, though in my heart was a thought that after all Elgar had escaped, stepped into the large boat, and there he started back so suddenly as almost to overturn it, smothering a cry. Then was silence for a moment, while I for my part drew my dagger. Then I saw him stoop down, and again he hissed to me. The boats were afloat, and I drew that I was in up to the big boat.
Miriam smiled a little, as if she liked the compliment. Before either spoke again, other visitors came to look at the view, and disturbed them. "I shan't ask you to come anywhere to-morrow," said Mallard, when they had again talked for awhile of pictures. "And the next day Mrs. Elgar will be here." She looked at him. "That wouldn't prevent me from going to a gallery if you thought of it."
He accepted the refusal with a courteous smile, raised his hat in approved manner, and turned to cross the Piazza as she went her way. This evening they had a visit from Seaborne, who met Mrs. Lessingham and Cecily for the first time. These ladies were predisposed to like him, and before he left they did so genuinely. In his pleasantly quiet way, he showed much respectful admiration of Mrs. Elgar.
Spence was here this morning, but Cecily would not see her. I made excuses, and of course said nothing of what was going on. I asked the child if she would like to see Mrs. Baske, but she refused." Mallard sat as if he had nothing to say, looking vaguely about the room. "Have you heard from Mr. Elgar?" Mrs. Lessingham inquired. "No. I know nothing about him.
Elgar was not at home. "He is out of town?" The servant thought so; he had not been at the house for two days. "You are unable to tell me when he will return?" Mr. Elgar was often away for a day or two, but not for longer than that. The probability was that he would, at all events, look in before evening, though he might go away again.
Mallard maintained his attitude for a few moments, but at length put his foot to the ground again, and repeated the keen look he had cast at the speaker as soon as that news was delivered. "When did you yourself go home?" he asked gravely. "Late last night." Mallard pondered anxiously. "Then," said he, "what leads you to believe that I have seen Mrs. Elgar?"
"I am very slightly acquainted with Mr. Mallard," Miriam answered, with the cold austerity which was the counterpart in her of Reuben's fiery impulsiveness, "but I understand that he is considered trustworthy and honourable by people of like character." Elgar rose from his chair, and in doing so all but flung it down. "Trustworthy and honourable! Why, so is many a greengrocer.
"All you will," replied Elgar, whose temper was exasperated by the firmness with which he was held at a scornful distance. He began now to imagine that Mallard, from reasons of disinterested friendship, had advised Cecily to seek some retreat, and would not disclose the secret. More than that, he still found incredible. Mallard eyed him scornfully.
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