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She read it through again this time, she felt almost sure that it had been dictated to him. If he had composed the wording himself, he would never have resisted a gibe at the law, or a gibe at himself for thus safeguarding her virtue. It was Rosek's doing. Her anger flamed up anew. Since they used such mean, cruel ways, why need she herself be scrupulous?
Was it too tragic, too painful, too strange not "pretty" enough? Gyp felt sorry for her. Her head ached now. She would so have liked to slip away when it was all over. But she had not the needful rudeness. She would have to go through with this evening at Rosek's and be gay. And why not? Why this shadow over everything?
Wagge's puggy grey-bearded countenance, the red pampas-grass, the blue bowl, Rosek's face swooping at her, her last glimpse of her baby asleep under the trees! She reached Kensington Gardens, turned into that walk renowned for the beauty of its flowers and the plainness of the people who frequent it, and sat down on a bench.
To account for this, she devised the formula of a room at Count Rosek's, where he slept when music kept him late, so as not to disturb her. Whether the servants believed her or not, she never knew. Nor did she ever ask him where he went too proud, and not feeling that she had the right.
Oh, yes; you are; I can see that! And I think your husband's awfully in love with you. I should be, if I were a man. You know, I've been studying five years, and I haven't come out yet. But now Count Rosek's going to back me, I expect it'll be very soon. Will you come to my first night? Mother says I've got to be awfully careful. She only let me come this evening because you were going to be here.
The word "home" hurt him, and he only answered: "Very well, Gyp; when?" "The house is quite ready. I think I had better go to-morrow. He's still at Rosek's. I won't let him know. Two or three days there by myself first would be better for settling baby in." "Very well; I'll take you up." He made no effort to ascertain her feelings toward Fiorsen. He knew too well.
Fiorsen came here, and, since then, I've seen him at Count Rosek's and and " "Yes; but don't trouble to tell me, please." Daphne Wing hurried on. "Of course, I'm quite mistress of myself now." Then, all at once, the uneasy woman-of-the-world mask dropped from her face and she seized Gyp's hand. "Oh, Mrs. Fiorsen, I shall never be like you!" With a little shiver, Gyp said: "I hope not."
But now that my daughter is here, there will be no further need for your kind services. Good-day!" At the cruel curtness of those words, Gyp gave the tiniest start forward. She had seen them go through Rosek's armour as a sword through brown paper. He recovered himself with a sickly smile, bowed, and went out. Winton followed precisely as if he did not trust him with the hats in the hall.
You know nothing of me do you?" A smile of sheer irony formed on her lips without her knowing it was there. She said: "Have you had a good time at Count Rosek's?" And, without her will, against her will, the words slipped out: "I'm afraid you've missed the music-room!" His stare wavered; he began to walk up and down. "Missed! Missed everything! I have been very miserable, Gyp.
That evening, at dinner, Winton said calmly: "Well, I've been to see Fiorsen, and warned him off. Found him at that fellow Rosek's." Gyp received the news with a vague sensation of alarm. "And I met that girl, the dancer, coming out of the house as I was going in made it plain I'd seen her, so I don't think he'll trouble you." An irresistible impulse made her ask: "How was she looking, Dad?"
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