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The Black Robe-Part20_WILKIE COLLINS (1824-1899)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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family. "I remember perfectly," he answered. "It was on the



passage from Boulogne to Folkestone--and my friend was with me.

You and he have no doubt met since that time?" He put the



question as a mere formality. The unexpressed thought in him was,

"Another of them in love with Romayne! and nothing, as usual,



likely to come of it."

"I hope you have forgiven me for going to Camp's Hill in your



place," said Stella.

"I ought to be grateful to you," the Major rejoined. "No time has



been lost in relieving these poor people--and your powers of

persuasion have succeeded, where mine might have failed. Has



Romayne been to see them himself since his return to London?"

"No. He desires to remain unknown; and he is kindly content, for



the present, to be represented by me."

"For the present." Major Hynd repeated.



A faint flush passed over her delicatecomplexion. "I have

succeeded," she resumed, "in inducing Madame Marillac to accept



the help offered through me to her son. The poor creature is

safe, under kind superintendence, in a private asylum. So far, I



can do no more."

"Will the mother accept nothing?"



"Nothing, either for herself or her daughter, so long as they can

work. I cannot tell you how patiently and beautifully she speaks



of her hard lot. But her health may give way--and it is possible,

before long, that I may leave London." She paused; the flush



deepened on her face. "The failure of the mother's health may

happen in my absence," she continued; "and Mr. Romayne will ask



you to look after the family, from time to time, while I am

away."



"I will do it with pleasure, Miss Eyrecourt. Is Romayne likely to

be here to-night?"



She smiled brightly, and looked away. The Major's curiosity was

excited--he looked in the same direction. There was Romayne,



entering the room, to answer for himself.

What was the attraction which drew the unsocial student to an



evening party? Major Hynd's eyes were on the watch. When Romayne

and Stella shook hands, the attraction stood self-revealed to



him, in Miss Eyrecourt. Recalling the momentaryconfusion which

she had betrayed, when she spoke of possibly leaving London, and



of Romayne's plans for supplying her place as his almoner, the

Major, with military impatience of delays, jumped to a



conclusion. "I was wrong," he thought; "my impenetrable friend is

touched in the right place at last. When the splendid creature in



yellow leaves London, the name on her luggage will be Mrs.

Romayne."



"You are looking quite another man, Romayne!" he said

mischievously, "since we met last."



Stella gently moved away, leaving them to talk freely. Romayne

took no advantage of the circumstance to admit his old friend to



his confidence. Whatever relations might really exist between

Miss Eyrecourt and himself were evidently kept secret thus far.



"My health has been a little better lately," was the only reply

he made.



The Major dropped his voice to a whisper.

"Have you not had any return--?" he began.



Romayne stopped him there. "I don't want my infirmities made

public," he whispered back irritably. "Look at the people all



round us! When I tell you I have been better lately, _you_ ought

to know what it means."



"Any discoverable reason for the improvement?" persisted the

Major, still bent on getting evidence in support of his own



private conclusions.

"None!" Romayne answered sharply.



But Major Hynd was not to be discouraged by sharp replies. "Miss

Eyrecourt and I have been recalling our first meeting on board



the steamboat," he went on. "Do you remember how indifferent you

were to that beautiful person when I asked you if you knew her?



I'm glad to see that you show better taste to-night. I wish I




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