The Argonauts | Page 8

does her name move
marvellously through his brain with such sounds as if they were the
echo of things very dear, things lost forever and irreplaceable. Can it be?
Is it possible that she did that? Malvina, once an ideal maiden, and ten
years later a woman so loving that when he was going on a journey she
threw herself on her knees and wept, and then besought him not to go
from her! He remembers the scene perfectly.
Her hair of pale gold, dropping then in disorder to her shoulders and
bosom--her magnificent hair, surrounded by which the tears flowing
down her face glistened like diamonds! He raised his head, straightened
himself. What stupidity! On what sentiment and exaltation is he losing
time and energy! He needs them for something else. He needs to
concentrate all his forces to bring his new designs to the desired
culmination. Why does "that hound" not show himself and bring the
answer needed? Ah, if he could only get one hour of that conversation,
he would convince; he would capture; he would overcome rivals, and
seize into his own sole possession new fields of industry and
speculation! There are hindrances, intrigues, dangerous rivalries, he
knows of them, and these oppositions it is precisely which attract him
most of all. Now especially, with those vexations and troubles, victory
and the new work would be as a spoonful of hashish to him, or a glass
of strong, invigorating wine. He must go to the club. A game of cards,
to which he devotes some night hours frequently, is not specially
pleasant, but he plays with persons of high position in society, or with
those who are needed in his business. He will find perhaps, also, that
man for whom he has been waiting, vainly, some days.
He was extending his hand to the button of the electric bell when from
behind the portieres which half hid the door opening to the interior of
the mansion a thin and timid voice came; one could hardly tell whether
it was the voice of a child or a young lady:
"Is it permitted to enter?"

Darvid went to the door hurriedly, saying, also hurriedly:
"It is! It is!"
At that moment, from the darkness which filled the adjoining room,
into the abundant light of the study, came a maiden of fifteen years, in a
bright dress; she was tall and very slender, with a small waist and
narrow breast. An immense wealth of pale, golden hair seemed to bend
back with its weight her small, shapely head somewhat; her oval face,
with its delicate features, had the blush of spring on it; her lips were
like cherries, and under the arches of her dark brows were large dark
eyes. Right behind the bright dress of the girl came a small shaggy
creature, a ball of ash colored silk, a little dog.
"Cara!" cried Darvid, "well, you are here, little one! How often have I
asked you to come always boldly. How do you feel to-day? You have
not coughed much, I think? Have you taken your daily walk? With
whom did you go? With Miss Mary, or Irene? Come, come, sit here in
this armchair."
He held her small hand in his and led her toward the table, which was
surrounded with armchairs. In his movements there was something
polished and exquisite, as it were delicacy toward a person who was
very dear and not much known, pushed to the degree where it might be
called gallantry. Joined with this was a feeling of delight. She was
pleased and smiling, but she was blushing and embarrassed. Advancing
with short steps at his side, she bent to his hand every moment and
kissed it. Her act was full of a timid charm, half capricious. They both
looked like persons who were greatly pleased at meeting, but who
remained on a footing of ceremony with each other. He received her in
his study as a queen; he seated her in an armchair, then, sitting very
near, he held her hands in his. Between them, on the edge of his
mistress's skirt, sat the dog with the ash-colored coat, in a posture of
disquiet and uncertainty; it was evident that he was not accustomed to
visit that room. Cara also, with an expression of timid happiness on her
lips which were open, cast her glance with a smile on the vases and the
walls, uncertain whether she was to speak, not knowing if she might
say something; she bore herself very simply; her small hands rested

without motion between her father's palms. At last she said, in a very
low voice:
"I was so anxious to see you, father, dear; I wished so much to speak
with you that I have come."
"You