Part 17 (1/2)

”Yes,” she whispered softly, almost inaudibly.

”When?”

”I don't know.”

A pause....

”Won't you be so kind as to lift your veil, only just for a minute,” I asked. ”So that I can see whom I have been talking to. Just for one moment, for indeed I must see whom I have been talking to.”

Another pause....

”You can meet me outside here on Tuesday evening,” she said. ”Will you?”

”Yes, dear lady, if I have permission to.”

”At eight o'clock.”

”Very well.”

I stroked down her cloak with my hand, merely to have an excuse for touching her. It was a delight to me to be so near her.

”And you mustn't think all too badly of me,” she added; she was smiling again.

”No.”

Suddenly she made a resolute movement and drew her veil up over her forehead; we stood and gazed at one another for a second.

”Ylajali!” I cried. She stretched herself up, flung her arms round my neck and kissed me right on the mouth--only once, swiftly, bewilderingly swiftly, right on the mouth. I could feel how her bosom heaved; she was breathing violently. She wrenched herself suddenly out of my clasp, called a good-night, breathlessly, whispering, and turned and ran up the stairs without a word more....

The hall door shut.

It snowed still more the next day, a heavy snow mingled with rain; great wet flakes that fell to earth and were turned to mud. The air was raw and icy. I woke somewhat late, with my head in a strange state of confusion, my heart intoxicated from the foregone evening by the agitation of that delightful meeting. In my rapture (I had lain a while awake and fancied Ylajali at my side) I spread out my arms and embraced myself and kissed the air. At length I dragged myself out of bed and procured a fresh cup of milk, and straight on top of that a plate of beef. I was no longer hungry, but my nerves were in a highly-strung condition.

I went off to the clothes-shop in the bazaar. It occurred to me that I might pick up a second-hand waistcoat cheaply, something to put on under my coat; it didn't matter what.

I went up the steps to the bazaar and took hold of one and began to examine it.

While I was thus engaged an acquaintance came by; he nodded and called up to me. I let the waistcoat hang and went down to him. He was a designer, and was on the way to his office.

”Come with me and have a gla.s.s of beer,” he said. ”But hurry up, I haven't much time.... What lady was that you were walking with yesterday evening?”

”Listen here now,” said I, jealous of his bare thought. ”Supposing it was my _fiancee_.”

”By Jove!” he exclaimed.

”Yes; it was all settled yesterday evening.”

This nonplussed him completely. He believed me implicitly. I lied in the most accomplished manner to get rid of him. We ordered the beer, drank it, and left.

”Well, good-bye! O listen,” he said suddenly. ”I owe you a few s.h.i.+llings. It is a shame, too, that I haven't paid you long ago, but now you shall have them during the next few days.”