第35章

Victor went and reclined on the wicker lounge behind his mother's chair， where he commanded a view of Edna's face.He had taken her parasol from her hands while he spoke to her， and he now lifted it and twirled it above him as he lay on his back.When Madame Lebrun complained that it was so dull coming back to the city； that she saw so few people now； that even Victor， when he came up from the island for a day or two， had so much to occupy him and engage his time； then it was that the youth went into contortions on the lounge and winked mischievously at Edna.She somehow felt like a confederate in crime， and tried to look severe and disapproving.

There had been but two letters from Robert， with little in them， they told her.Victor said it was really not worth while to go inside for the letters， when his mother entreated him to go in search of them.He remembered the contents， which in truth he rattled off very glibly when put to the test.

One letter was written from Vera Cruz and the other from the City of Mexico.He had met Montel， who was doing everything toward hisadvancement.So far， the financial situation was no improvement over the one he had left in New Orleans， but of course the prospects were vastly better.He wrote of the City of Mexico， the buildings， the people and their habits， the conditions of life which he found there.He sent his love to the family.He inclosed a check to his mother， and hoped she would affectionately remember him to all his friends.That was about the substance of the two letters.Edna felt that if there had been a message for her， she would have received it.The despondent frame of mind in which she had left home began again to overtake her， and she remembered that she wished to find Mademoiselle Reisz.

Madame Lebrun knew where Mademoiselle Reisz lived.She gave Edna the address， regretting that she would not consent to stay and spend the remainder of the afternoon， and pay a visit to Mademoiselle Reisz some other day.The afternoon was already well advanced.

Victor escorted her out upon the banquette， lifted her parasol， and held it over her while he walked to the car with her.He entreated her to bear in mind that the disclosures of the afternoon were strictly confidential.She laughed and bantered him a little， remembering too late that she should have been dignified and reserved.

"How handsome Mrs.Pontellier looked！" said Madame Lebrun to her son.

"Ravishing！" he admitted."The city atmosphere has improved her.Some way she doesn't seem like the same woman."第一章

Some people contended that the reason Mademoiselle Reisz always chose apartments up under the roof was to discourage the approach of beggars， peddlars and callers.There were plenty of windows in her little front room.They were for the most part dingy， but as they were nearly always open it did not make so much difference.They often admitted into the room a good deal of smoke and soot； but at the same time all the light and air that there was came through them.From her windows could be seen the crescent of the river， the masts of ships and the big chimneys of the Mississippi steamers.A magnificent piano crowded the apartment.

In the next room she slept， and in the third and last she harbored a gasoline stove on which she cooked her meals when disinclined to descend to the neighboring restaurant.It was there also that she ate， keeping her belongings in a rare old buffet， dingy and battered from a hundred years of use.

When Edna knocked at Mademoiselle Reisz's front room door and entered， she discovered that person standing beside the window， engaged in mending or patching an old prunella gaiter.The little musician laughed all over when she saw Edna.Her laugh consisted of a contortion of the face and all the muscles of the body.She seemed strikingly homely， standing there in the afternoon light.She still wore the shabby lace and the artificial bunch of violets on the side of her head.

"So you remembered me at last，" said Mademoiselle."I had said to myself， `Ah， bah！ she will never come.'""Did you want me to come？" asked Edna with a smile.

"I had not thought much about it，" answered Mademoiselle.The two had seated themselves on a little bumpy sofa which stood against the wall."I am glad， however， that you came.I have the water boiling back there， and was just about to make some coffee.You will drink a cup with me.And how is la belle dame？ Always handsome！ always healthy！ always contented！" She took Edna's hand between her strong wiry fingers， holding it loosely without warmth， and executing a sort of double theme upon the back and palm.