Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Part I - V
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
THE CONFESSION OF A FOOL 57
even. It made me think of the elective affinities o£ the
chemists, in this case acting on living beings.
The dinner dragged on, slowly and heavily, like a cart
which has lost its fourth wheel, and wearily lumbers along
on the three remaining ones. But the cousin, henceforth
the indispensable complement of our quartet, which, with-
out her, was beginning to be out of harmony, was expected
to come later on and take coffee with us.
At dessert I proposed a toast to the married couple, in
conventional terms, without spirit or wit, like champagne
which has grown flat.
Husband and wife, animated by the memories of the
past, kissed tenderly, and, in mimicking their former fond
ways, became affectionate, amorous even, just as an actor
will feel genuinely depressed when he has been feigning
tears.
Or was it that the fire was still smouldering underneath
the ashes, ready to burst into fresh flames if fanned by a
skilful hand? It was impossible to guess how matters
stood.
After dinner we went into the garden and sat in the
summer-house, the window of which looked on to the
street. Digestive processes did not favour conversation.
The Baron stood at the window, absent-mindedly watching
the street, in the hope of catching a glimpse of the cousin.
Suddenly he darted off like an arrow, evidently with the
intention of going to meet the expected guest.
Left alone with the Baroness, I at once became embar-
rassed ; I was not naturally self-conscious, but she had
a queer way of looking at me and paying me compliments
on certain details of my appearance. After a long, almost
painful silence, she burst out laughing, and pointing in
the direction in which the Baron had disappeared, she
exclaimed
—
"Dear old Gustav, he is head-over-ears in love !
"
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
