Athalie - Page 56/222

He drew a big soft arm-chair to the mounting blaze. Athalie stood

motionless, staring at the flames, then with a sudden, nervous gesture

she sank down on the arm-chair and covered her face with her gloved

hands.

He stood waiting, happy and excited, and finally he went over and

touched her; and the girl caught his hand convulsively in both of hers

and looked up at him with wet eyes.

"How can I do this, Clive? How can I?" she whispered.

"Any brother would do as much for his sister--"

"Oh, Clive! You are different! You are more than that. You know you

are. How can I take all this? Will you tell me? How can I live

here--this way--"

"Your sisters will be here. You saw their room just now--"

"But what can I tell them? How can I explain? They know we cannot

afford such luxury as this?"

"Tell them the rent is the same."

"They won't believe it. They couldn't. They don't understand even now

how it is with you and me--that you are so dear and generous and kind

just because you are my friend--and no more than my friend.... Not

that they really believe--anything--unpleasant--of me--but--but--"

"What do you care--as long as it isn't so?" he said, coolly.

"I don't care. Except that it weakens my authority over them....

Catharine is very impulsive, and she dearly loves a good time--and she

is becoming sullen with me when I try to advise her or curb her....

And it's so with Doris, too.... I'd like to keep my influence.... But

if they ever really began to believe that between you and me there

was--more--than friendship, I--I don't know what they might feel free

to think--or do--"

"They're older than you."

"Yes. But I seem to have the authority,--or I did have."

They looked into the leaping flames; he threw open his fur coat and

seated himself on the padded arm of her chair.

"All I know is," he said, "that it gives me the deepest and most

enduring happiness to do things for you. When the architect planned

this house I had him design a place for you. Ultimately all the row of

old houses are to be torn down and replaced by modern apartments with

moderate rentals. So you will have to move anyway sooner or later. Why

not come here now?"

Half unconsciously she had rested her cheek against the fur lining of

his coat where it fell against his arm. He looked down at her, touched

her hair--a thing he had never thought of doing before.