第84章

THE AMBASSADOR FALLEN--A SEARCH FOR THE GATE

Carrie, left alone by Drouet, listened to his retreating steps, scarcely realising what had happened.She knew that he had stormed out.It was some moments before she questioned whether he would return, not now exactly, but ever.She looked around her upon the rooms, out of which the evening light was dying, and wondered why she did not feel quite the same towards them.She went over to the dresser and struck a match, lighting the gas.

Then she went back to the rocker to think.

It was some time before she could collect her thoughts, but when she did, this truth began to take on importance.She was quite alone.Suppose Drouet did not come back? Suppose she should never hear anything more of him? This fine arrangement of chambers would not last long.She would have to quit them.

To her credit, be it said, she never once counted on Hurstwood.

She could only approach that subject with a pang of sorrow and regret.For a truth, she was rather shocked and frightened by this evidence of human depravity.He would have tricked her without turning an eyelash.She would have been led into a newer and worse situation.And yet she could not keep out the pictures of his looks and manners.Only this one deed seemed strange and miserable.It contrasted sharply with all she felt and knew concerning the man.

But she was alone.That was the greater thought just at present.

How about that? Would she go out to work again? Would she begin to look around in the business district? The stage! Oh, yes.

Drouet had spoken about that.Was there any hope there? She moved to and fro, in deep and varied thoughts, while the minutes slipped away and night fell completely.She had had nothing to eat, and yet there she sat, thinking it over.

She remembered that she was hungry and went to the little cupboard in the rear room where were the remains of one of their breakfasts.She looked at these things with certain misgivings.

The contemplation of food had more significance than usual.

While she was eating she began to wonder how much money she had.

It struck her as exceedingly important, and without ado she went to look for her purse.It was on the dresser, and in it were seven dollars in bills and some change.She quailed as she thought of the insignificance of the amount and rejoiced because the rent was paid until the end of the month.She began also to think what she would have done if she had gone out into the street when she first started.By the side of that situation, as she looked at it now, the present seemed agreeable.She had a little time at least, and then, perhaps, everything would come out all right, after all.

Drouet had gone, but what of it? He did not seem seriously angry.

He only acted as if he were huffy.He would come back--of course he would.There was his cane in the corner.Here was one of his collars.He had left his light overcoat in the wardrobe.She looked about and tried to assure herself with the sight of a dozen such details, but, alas, the secondary thought arrived.

Supposing he did come back.Then what?

Here was another proposition nearly, if not quite, as disturbing.

She would have to talk with and explain to him.He would want her to admit that he was right.It would be impossible for her to live with him.

On Friday Carrie remembered her appointment with Hurstwood, and the passing of the hour when she should, by all right of promise, have been in his company served to keep the calamity which had befallen her exceedingly fresh and clear.In her nervousness and stress of mind she felt it necessary to act, and consequently put on a brown street dress, and at eleven o'clock started to visit the business portion once again.She must look for work.

The rain, which threatened at twelve and began at one, served equally well to cause her to retrace her steps and remain within doors as it did to reduce Hurstwood's spirits and give him a wretched day.

The morrow was Saturday, a half-holiday in many business quarters, and besides it was a balmy, radiant day, with the trees and grass shining exceedingly green after the rain of the night before.When she went out the sparrows were twittering merrily in joyous choruses.She could not help feeling, as she looked across the lovely park, that life was a joyous thing for those who did not need to worry, and she wished over and over that something might interfere now to preserve for her the comfortable state which she had occupied.She did not want Drouet or his money when she thought of it, nor anything more to do with Hurstwood, but only the content and ease of mind she had experienced, for, after all, she had been happy--happier, at least, than she was now when confronted by the necessity of making her way alone.

When she arrived in the business part it was quite eleven o'clock, and the business had little longer to run.She did not realise this at first, being affected by some of the old distress which was a result of her earlier adventure into this strenuous and exacting quarter.She wandered about, assuring herself that she was making up her mind to look for something, and at the same time feeling that perhaps it was not necessary to be in such haste about it.The thing was difficult to encounter, and she had a few days.Besides, she was not sure that she was really face to face again with the bitter problem of self-sustenance.

Anyhow, there was one change for the better.She knew that she had improved in appearance.Her manner had vastly changed.Her clothes were becoming, and men--well-dressed men, some of the kind who before had gazed at her indifferently from behind their polished railings and imposing office partitions--now gazed into her face with a soft light in their eyes.In a way, she felt the power and satisfaction of the thing, but it did not wholly reassure her.She looked for nothing save what might come legitimately and without the appearance of special favour.She wanted something, but no man should buy her by false protestations or favour.She proposed to earn her living honestly.