Swirling Waters Part 41

"Yes; and I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised. I had formed an altogether wrong opinion of her."

"Then I'm glad you met.... You see now that your suspicions of her were absolutely unfounded."

Olive knew the sincerity in Riviere's tone. So it was just as she had guessed--the girl had been attempting a daring bluff by her self-accusation.

"Absolutely unfounded," agreed Olive. "That's why I want to forgive and forget."

She gave him one of her sweetest smiles.

Riviere was puzzled. He had an uneasy feeling that something very vital was being kept from him. He noticed his wife's hands all a-quiver, and that fact jarred against the calm of her words.

He answered: "You've changed your att.i.tude towards me very quickly. I take it you only arrived in Wiesbaden to-day?"

"Yes; but it's more than a fortnight since that scene in Larssen's office. I've had time to reflect over things. I was too hasty in what I said then. You must remember that you sprang a surprise on me when you returned in that secret way, and naturally I was put out. I always hate to be taken at a disadvantage, as you ought to know by now.... Clifford, when _will_ you learn to read women as well as you read men? If you'd approached me a little differently; if you hadn't a.s.sumed I was hostile to you; if you'd only taken me a little more patiently and pressed your point more insistently----" Olive paused significantly.

"Which point?"

"Surely you remember?"

"There were many points we discussed."

"_The_ point--when you were generous enough to offer to start our life afresh."

Riviere looked keenly at his wife. Her eyes were downcast, as though it hurt her modesty to have to make overtures. There was a faint blush on her cheeks.

He began to feel he had been a brute.

She continued: "You ought to have given me a day to think it over, instead of rus.h.i.+ng away as you did. You ought to have known that a woman's pride won't let her yield without being pressed to yield. I wanted you to press me; I wanted to make a fresh start with you; I wanted to help you with your big work! Clifford when _will_ you learn to read a woman?"

"What's your suggestion now?" he asked.

"My suggestion is your own--to wipe out the past, and start our married life afresh. A few days ago I went to see a doctor--a man in Cavendish Square who has a big reputation for women's ailments. Father insisted on my going to consult him, and he was right. I ought to have gone to him months ago."

"What did he tell you?"

"The long and short of it is that I must give up society engagements and all excitements of that kind, and lead a very quiet life. I ought to go to some quiet place away from people, with someone with me whom I care for and who cares for me. That was the gist of his prescription. Of course I have a special dietary and medicine to take, but that's only incidental!"

Her voice held a pathetic braveness, and Riviere was touched by it.

"I'm awfully sorry," he murmured.

"It's hard on me, to give up all that."

"I know."

"It's meant a big fight with myself. Look at me--you can see it in my face. I'm looking a wreck."

"The kind of life you've been leading would crack up any const.i.tution.

I'm glad you've taken advice in time."

"It was the turning-point for me."

"Where are you going for your rest-cure?"

"Isn't that for you to decide, Clifford dear?"

Riviere roused himself with an effort akin to that of Ulysses in the house of Circe.

"I'd better be quite frank with you," he answered. "I can't live with you again as man and wife."

"I realise your feeling so well. I admire you for it. It brings us nearer together. You feel yourself under an obligation to Miss Verney because of her intervention between you and that vitriol-thrower. You don't know just how you can repay it. Obviously you can't offer her money. A girl of her finely-strung feelings couldn't take a pension from you.... Now I have a suggestion that clears away the difficulty completely."

"What is it?" asked Riviere non-committally.

"Let _me_ make her an allowance. Let the money pa.s.s through my hands to her. It needn't be a large allowance. I daresay she could live nicely on three or four pounds a week. If you agree, I'll go and arrange it myself, so as not to hurt her feelings."

That would be indeed revenge on Elaine! To buy back Clifford for a paltry four pounds a week--to have the delicate pleasure of doling out the money in the role of Lady Bountiful! She had a mental vision of the sweet little letters she could write to Elaine when she enclosed the monthly cheque--letters so sweet that they would sear.

But Riviere answered abruptly: "What did Miss Verney say to you to make such a complete change in your att.i.tude towards her?"

"We chatted together this afternoon and came to realise one another's point of view--that was all. It was perfectly natural. A blind girl ...

helpless ... without resources of her own.... Do you think I'm flint?"

"Then she made some appeal to you?"

"Clifford, dear, I don't think you and I ought to discuss what pa.s.sed between Miss Verney and myself in the sick-room this afternoon. Some things are sacred."

"I must know this: did she suggest the idea of the allowance or did you?"

Olive hesitated as to how she should answer that question. It was very tempting to say that Elaine had suggested it--but decidedly risky.

Riviere might ask the girl point-blank. It was better to be prudent in this game of strategy, and accordingly she replied:

"I don't think you ought to ask me that question."

"I must see Miss Verney at once," said Riviere decisively.

"But we must think of her feelings. She's very sensitive, very highly-strung. Wouldn't it be kinder to let _me_ arrange it?"

"I don't think so."

"I ask you this for her sake!"

"Still, I must see her at once."

"As your wife, I ask you to let me end the matter once and for all.

Clifford dear, I must speak out frankly, though I hate to have to do it.

Listen to me quietly while I try to put the situation to you in the proper light.... You're in love with Miss Verney--I know it. It's hard for you to have to cut loose--very hard. But for her sake you _must_ cut loose. _Now, at once._ Matters can't go on as they are. I know perfectly well that the relations between you are absolutely innocent--I haven't a word to breathe against her character now that I've seen her and really know her. But things can't go on as they are. You must put yourself aside and consider her alone. You must think of her reputation. People will begin to talk."