第31章 CHAPTER VI(8)

He appeared to be waiting for someone, and in a moment or two a young man came out of the saddlery store, and with a pleasant laugh entered the carriage. It was the Apollo of her dreams, the singer of the Holland House pavement. She could not doubt it. His face, his figure, his walk, and the pleasant smile with which he spoke to his companion were all positive characteristics. She had forgotten none of them. His dress was altered to suit the season, but that was an improvement;for divested of his heavy coat, and clothed only in a stylish afternoon suit, his tall, fine figure showed to great advantage; and Ethel told herself that he was even handsomer than she had supposed him to be.

Almost as soon as he entered his carriage there was a movement, and she hoped her driver might advance sufficiently to make recognition possible, but some feeling, she knew not what, prevented her giving any order leading to this result. Perhaps she had an instinctive presentiment that it was best to leave all to Destiny. Toward the upper part of the avenue the carriage of her eager observation came to a stand before a warehouse of antique furniture and bric-a-brac, and, as it did so, a beautiful woman ran down the steps, and Apollo, for so Ethel had men-tally called him, went hurriedly to meet her.

Finally her coachman passed the party, and there was a momentary recognition. He was bending forward, listening to something the lady was saying, when the vehicles almost touched each other. He flashed a glance at them, and met the flash of Ethel's eyes full of interest and curiosity.

It was over in a moment, but in that moment Ethel saw his astonishment and delight, and felt her own eager questioning answered.

Then she was joyous and full of hope, for "these two silent meetings are promises," she said to Ruth. "I feel sure I shall see him again, and then we shall speak to each other.""I hope you are not allowing yourself to feel too much interest in this man, Ethel; he is very likely married.""Oh, no! I am sure he is not, Ruth."

"How can you be sure? You know nothing about him.""I cannot tell HOW I know, nor WHY I know, but I believe what I feel; and he is as much interested in me as I am in him. I confess that is a great deal.""You may never see him again."

"I shall expect to see him next winter, he evidently lives in New York.""The lady you saw may be his wife. Don't be interested in any man on unknown ground, Ethel. It is not prudent--it is not right.""Time will show. He will very likely be looking for me this summer at Newport and elsewhere. He will be glad to see me when Icome home. Don't worry, Ruth. It is all right.""Fred called soon after you went out this morning. He left for Newport this afternoon.

He will be at sea now."

"And we shall be there in a few days.

When I am at the seaside I always feel a delicious torpor; yet Nelly Baldwin told me she loved an Atlantic passage because she had such fun on board. You have crossed several times, Ruth; is it fun or torpor?""All mirth at sea soon fades away, Ethel.

Passengers are a very dull class of people, and they know it; they rebel against it, but every hour it becomes more natural to be dull.

Very soon all mentally accommodate themselves to being bored, dreamy and dreary.

Then, as soon as it is dark, comes that old mysterious, hungering sound of the sea; and I for one listen till I can bear it no longer, and so steal away to bed with a pain in my heart.""I think I shall like the ocean. There are games, and books, and company, and dinners, and other things.""Certainly, and you can think yourself happy, until gradually a contented cretinism steals over you, body and mind.""No, no!" said Ethel enthusiastically.

"I shall do according to Swinburne--

"`Have therefore in my heart, and in my mouth, The sound of song that mingles North and South;And in my Soul the sense of all the Sea!'"

And Ruth laughed at her dramatic attitude, and answered: "The soul of all the sea is a contented cretinism, Ethel. But in ten days we may be in Yorkshire. And then, my dear, you may meet your Prince--some fine Yorkshire gentleman.""I have strictly and positively promised myself that my Prince shall be a fine American gentleman.""My dear Ethel, it is very seldom "`the time, and the place, And the Loved One, come together.'""I live in the land of good hope, Ruth, and my hopes will be realized.""We shall see."

PART THIRD "I WENT DOWN INTO THE GARDEN

TO SEE IF THE POMEGRANATES BUDDED.

Song of Solomon, VI. 11.