the four horsemen of the apocalypse-第22节
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fly up as if moved by a spring。 Various dances with Desnoyers and a visit to the rue de la Pompe she seemed to consider as her sacred rights； and she pursued the master with the desperation of an abandoned zealot。 Julio had made good his escape upon learning that this beauty of youthful elegancewhen seen from the backhad two grandchildren。 〃MASTER Desnoyers has gone out；〃 Argensola would invariably say upon receiving her。 And； thereupon she would burst into tears and threats； longing to kill herself then and there that her corpse might frighten away those other women who would come to rob her of what she considered her special privilege。 Now it was Argensola who sped his companion to the street when he wished to be alone。 He had only to remark casually； 〃I believe that Yankee is coming；〃 and the great man would beat a hasty retreat； oftentimes in his desperate flight availing himself of the back stairs。
At this time began to develop the most important event in Julio's existence。 The Desnoyers family was to be united with that of Senator Lacour。 Rene； his only son； had succeeded in awakening in Chichi a certain interest that was almost love。 The dignitary enjoyed thinking of his son allied to the boundless plains and immense herds whose description always affected him like a marvellous tale。 He was a widower； but he enjoyed giving at his home famous banquets and parties。 Every new celebrity immediately suggested to him the idea of giving a dinner。 No illustrious person passing through Paris； polar explorer or famous singer； could escape being exhibited in the dining room of Lacour。 The son of Desnoyers… …at whom he had scarcely glanced beforenow inspired him with sudden interest。 The senator was a thoroughly up…to…date man who did not classify glory nor distinguish reputations。 It was enough for him that a name should be on everybody's lips for him to accept it with enthusiasm。 When Julio responded to his invitation； he presented him with pride to his friends； and came very near to calling him 〃dear master。〃 The tango was monopolizing all conversation nowadays。 Even in the Academy they were taking it up in order to demonstrate that the youth of ancient Athens had diverted itself in a somewhat similar way。 。 。 。 And Lacour had dreamed all his life of an Athenian republic。
At these reunions； Desnoyers became acquainted with the Lauriers。 He was an engineer who owned a motor…factory for automobiles in the outskirts of Parisa man about thirty…five； tall； rather heavy and silent； with a deliberate air as though he wished to see deeply into men and things。 She was of a light； frivolous character； loving life for the satisfactions and pleasures which it brought her； appearing to accept with smiling conformity the silent and grave adoration of her husband。 She could not well do less with a man of his merits。 Besides； she had brought to the marriage a dowry of three hundred thousand francs； a capital which had enabled the engineer to enlarge his business。 The senator had been instrumental in arranging this marriage。 He was interested in Laurier because he was the son of an old friend。
Upon Marguerite Laurier the presence of Julio flashed like a ray of sunlight in the tiresome salon of Lacour。 She was dancing the fad of the hour and frequenting the tango teas where reigned the adored Desnoyers。 And to think that she was being entertained with this celebrated and interesting man that the other women were raving about！ 。 。 。 In order that he might not take her for a mere middle… class woman like the other guests at the senator's party； she spoke of her modistes； all from the rue de la Paix； declaring gravely that no woman who had any self…respect could possibly walk through the streets wearing a gown costing less than eight hundred francs； and that the hat of a thousand francsbut a few years ago； an astonishing noveltywas nowadays a very ordinary affair。
This acquaintanceship made the 〃little Laurier；〃 as her friends called her notwithstanding her tallness； much sought by the master of the dance； in spite of the looks of wrath and envy hurled at her by the others。 What a triumph for the wife of a simple engineer who was used to going everywhere in her mother's automobile！ 。 。 。 Julio at first had supposed her like all the others who were languishing in his arms； following the rhythmic complications of the dance； but he soon found that she was very different。 Her coquetry after the first confidential words； but increased his admiration。 He really had never before been thrown with a woman of her class。 Those of his first social period were the habituees of the night restaurants paid for their witchery。 Now Glory was tossing into his arms ladies of high position but with an unconfessable past； anxious for novelties although exceedingly mature。 This middle class woman who would advance so confidently toward him and then retreat with such capricious outbursts of modesty； was a new type for him。
The tango salons soon began to suffer a great loss。 Desnoyers was permitting himself to be seen there with less frequency； handing Glory over to the professionals。 Sometimes entire weeks slipped by without the five…to…seven devotees being able to admire his black locks and his tiny patent leathers twinkling under the lights in time with his graceful movements。
Marguerite was also avoiding these places。 The meetings of the two were taking place in accordance with what she had read in the love stories of Paris。 She was going in search of Julio； fearing to be recognized； tremulous with emotion； selecting her most inconspicuous suit； and covering her face with a close veil〃the veil of adultery；〃 as her friends called it。 They had their trysts in the least…frequented squares of the district； frequently changing the places； like timid birds that at the slightest disturbance fly to perch a little further away。 Sometimes they would meet in the Buttes Chaumont； at others they preferred the gardens on the left bank of the Seine； the Luxembourg； and even the distant Parc de Montsouris。 She was always in tremors of terror lest her husband might surprise them； although she well knew that the industrious engineer was in his factory a great distance away。 Her agitated aspect； her excessive precautions in order to slip by unseen； only served to attract the attention of the passers…by。 Although Julio was waxing impatient with the annoyance of this wandering love affair which only amounted to a few fugitive kisses； he finally held his peace； dominated by Marguerite's pleadings。
She did not wish merely to be one in the procession of his sweethearts； it was necessary to convince herself first that this love was going to last forever。 It was her first slip and she wanted it to be the last。 Ay； her former spotless reputation！ 。 。 。 What would people say！ 。 。 。 The two returned to their adolescent period； loving each other as they had never loved before； with the confident and childish passion of fifteen…year…olds。
Julio had leaped from childhood to libertinism； taking his initiation into life at a single bound。 She had desired marriage in order to acquire the respect and liberty of a married woman； but feeling towards her husband only a vague gratitude。 〃We end where others begin；〃 she had said to Desnoyers。
Their passion took the form of an intense； reciprocal and vulgar love。 They felt a romantic sentimentality in clasping hands or exchanging kisses on a garden bench in the twilight。 He was treasuring a ringlet of Marguerite'salthough he doubted its genuineness； with a vague suspicion that it might be one of the latest wisps of fashion。 She would cuddle down with her head on his shoulder； as though imploring his protection； although always in the open air。 If Julio ever attempted greater intimacy in a carriage； madame would repel him most vigorously。 A contradictory duality appeared to inspire her actions。 Every morning； on awaking； she would decide to yield； but then when near him； her middle…class respectability； jealous of its reputation； kept her faithful to her mother's teachings。
One day she agreed to visit his studio with the interest that the haunts of the loved one always inspires。 〃Promise that you will not take advantage of me。〃 He readily promised； swearing that everything should be as Marguerite wished。 。 。 。 But from that day they were no longer seen in the gardens； nor wandering around persecuted by the winter winds。 They preferred the studio； and Argensola had to rearrange his existence； seeking the stove of another artist friend； in order to continue his reading。
This state of things lasted two months。 They never knew what secret force suddenly disturbed their tranquility。 Perhaps one of her friends； guessing at the truth； had told the husband anonymously。 Perhaps it was she herself unconsciously； with her inexpressible happiness； her tardy returns home when dinner was already served； and the sudden aversion which she showed toward the engineer in their hours alone； trying to keep her heart faithful to her lover。 To divide her interest between her legal companion and the man she loved was a torment that her simple and vehement enthusiasm could not tolerate。
While she was hurry
