登陆注册
37910600000059

第59章 XIX(3)

In the taxi she had time, through their light rattle of talk, to readjust herself and drop back into her usual feeling of friendly ease with him. He had been extraordinarily considerate, for anyone who always so undisguisedly sought his own satisfaction above all things; and if his considerateness were just an indirect way of seeking that satisfaction now, well, that proved how much he cared for her, how necessary to his happiness she had become. The sense of power was undeniably pleasant; pleasanter still was the feeling that someone really needed her, that the happiness of the man at her side depended on her yes or no. She abandoned herself to the feeling, forgetting the abysmal interval of his caress, or at least saying to herself that in time she would forget it, that really there was nothing to make a fuss about in being kissed by anyone she liked as much as Streff ....

She had guessed at once why he was taking her to see the Reynoldses. Fashionable and artistic Paris had recently discovered English eighteenth century art. The principal collections of England had yielded up their best examples of the great portrait painter's work, and the private view at the Petit Palais was to be the social event of the afternoon. Everybody--Strefford's everybody and Susy's--was sure to be there; and these, as she knew, were the occasions that revived Strefford's intermittent interest in art. He really liked picture shows as much as the races, if one could be sure of seeing as many people there. With Nick how different it would have been! Nick hated openings and varnishing days, and worldly aesthetics in general; he would have waited till the tide of fashion had ebbed, and slipped off with Susy to see the pictures some morning when they were sure to have the place to themselves.

But Susy divined that there was another reason for Strefford's suggestion. She had never yet shown herself with him publicly, among their own group of people: now he had determined that she should do so, and she knew why. She had humbled his pride; he had understood, and forgiven her. But she still continued to treat him as she had always treated the Strefford of old, Charlie Strefford, dear old negligible impecunious Streff; and he wanted to show her, ever so casually and adroitly, that the man who had asked her to marry him was no longer Strefford, but Lord Altringham.

At the very threshold, his Ambassador's greeting marked the difference: it was followed, wherever they turned, by ejaculations of welcome from the rulers of the world they moved in. Everybody rich enough or titled enough, or clever enough or stupid enough, to have forced a way into the social citadel, was there, waving and flag-flying from the battlements; and to all of them Lord Altringham had become a marked figure. During their slow progress through the dense mass of important people who made the approach to the pictures so well worth fighting for, he never left Susy's side, or failed to make her feel herself a part of his triumphal advance. She heard her name mentioned: "Lansing--a Mrs. Lansing--an American ... Susy Lansing? Yes, of course .... You remember her? At Newport, At St. Moritz? Exactly.... Divorced already? They say so ...

Susy darling! I'd no idea you were here ... and Lord Altringham! You've forgotten me, I know, Lord Altringham ....

Yes, last year, in Cairo ... or at Newport ... or in Scotland ... Susy, dearest, when will you bring Lord Altringham to dine?

Any night that you and he are free I'll arrange to be ...."

"You and he": they were "you and he" already!

同类推荐
  • 法苑珠林

    法苑珠林

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 奇门旨归

    奇门旨归

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 罗近溪先生明道录

    罗近溪先生明道录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 咏张諲山水

    咏张諲山水

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 胜军化世百瑜伽他经

    胜军化世百瑜伽他经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 浮生如梦之南柯一梦

    浮生如梦之南柯一梦

    穿越千年的等候,跨时空的爱恋,梦中之人,何去何从。现实与梦境交织,她该如何选择?
  • 这个系统很逆天

    这个系统很逆天

    一代屌丝,偶得系统,逆袭成神。。收个小弟是仙帝!收个奴仆是魔神!
  • 神皇争霸

    神皇争霸

    我命由我不由天,披荆斩棘闯天下,万般屈辱炼心境,他日功成破云霄……
  • 让信念冲破苍穹

    让信念冲破苍穹

    我驾驶一艘飞船离开蓝色星球,光速前往一片紫色星系,来不及对身边的一切道别,而故事从此开始。
  • 大罗剑歌

    大罗剑歌

    众生皆求仙,方知仙慕天。永恒何其艰?唯有大罗仙。真仙谪红尘,剑歌吟三界。我头顶是漫天仙佛,我脚下是浑浑九幽。会有那么一天,仙佛因我俯首!幽冥任我窥探!
  • 奋斗小农女:逍遥山林间

    奋斗小农女:逍遥山林间

    一朝穿越,异界灵魂来袭,设计脱离毫无亲情可言的农家,携弟带妹,山林求生,发家致富,渐渐混的风生水起,捡个上门美相公,不料是个腹黑郎,可也伴我山林水涧,齐逍遥!本文纯属虚构,请勿模仿。
  • 守墓执行者

    守墓执行者

    因为一口棺材引发出了一长串渊远的故事。被抛弃到森林中的女主误入了守墓人的禁地,却因为一场因缘而得到了一个莫名其妙的身份!而这个身份让她更加扑朔迷离。也因为如此,她不得不卷入一场悄无声息的危机中,在此,她能否得到答案,她能否找到她所值得交付的人。
  • 潜伏之中

    潜伏之中

    因为一次预谋,陆瑶来到林琛身边,他危险而冷漠,对待感情从不认真。而她想尽办法,吸引他的注意力。他们第一次谈话时,陆瑶打了个赌:“赌你彻底爱上我,代价是生命。”她努力潜伏在他身边,终于找到把柄将他送进监狱。殊不知,故事才刚刚开始……
  • 我们的岁岁年年

    我们的岁岁年年

    林九言,我见你的第一眼,我就认定你了,我觉得,我们是一样的人。——祁彥祁彥,即使年年不见,也要岁岁平安。——林九言这是一场救赎,但,不巧的是,在这场救赎里,我们谁都没想出去,我们只想拥有彼此。
  • 时间会证明一切

    时间会证明一切

    爱过,错过,都是经过。好事,坏事,皆成往事。生而为人,红尘浮浪,免不了世间一番摸爬滚打。也曾迷茫,也曾彷徨,虽抵不过少年白发,却终可见淬火成金。尝遍人间滋味,领略万种风情,然后发现,这个世界上最强大的是时间。无不可过去之事,有自然相知之人。我们都曾不堪一击,我们终将刀枪不入。时间会证明一切。