第28章

"You mean, I suppose, that society here is not as brilliant? You're right, I daresay; but we belong here, and people should respect our ways when they come among us.Ellen Olenska especially: she came back to get away from the kind of life people lead in brilliant societies."Newland made no answer, and after a moment his mother ventured: "I was going to put on my bonnet and ask you to take me to see cousin Louisa for a moment before dinner." He frowned, and she continued:

"I thought you might explain to her what you've just said: that society abroad is different...that people are not as particular, and that Madame Olenska may not have realised how we feel about such things.It would be, you know, dear," she added with an innocent adroitness, "in Madame Olenska's interest if you did.""Dearest mother, I really don't see how we're concerned in the matter.The Duke took Madame Olenska to Mrs.Struthers's--in fact he brought Mrs.Struthers to call on her.I was there when they came.If the van der Luydens want to quarrel with anybody, the real culprit is under their own roof.""Quarrel? Newland, did you ever know of cousin Henry's quarrelling? Besides, the Duke's his guest; and a stranger too.Strangers don't discriminate: how should they? Countess Olenska is a New Yorker, and should have respected the feelings of New York.""Well, then, if they must have a victim, you have my leave to throw Madame Olenska to them," cried her son, exasperated."I don't see myself--or you either--offering ourselves up to expiate her crimes.""Oh, of course you see only the Mingott side," his mother answered, in the sensitive tone that was her nearest approach to anger.

The sad butler drew back the drawing-room portieres and announced: "Mr.Henry van der Luyden."Mrs.Archer dropped her needle and pushed her chair back with an agitated hand.

"Another lamp," she cried to the retreating servant, while Janey bent over to straighten her mother's cap.

Mr.van der Luyden's figure loomed on the threshold, and Newland Archer went forward to greet his cousin.

"We were just talking about you, sir," he said.

Mr.van der Luyden seemed overwhelmed by the announcement.He drew off his glove to shake hands with the ladies, and smoothed his tall hat shyly, while Janey pushed an arm-chair forward, and Archer continued: "And the Countess Olenska."Mrs.Archer paled.

"Ah--a charming woman.I have just been to see her," said Mr.van der Luyden, complacency restored to his brow.He sank into the chair, laid his hat and gloves on the floor beside him in the old-fashioned way, and went on: "She has a real gift for arranging flowers.I had sent her a few carnations from Skuytercliff, and I was astonished.Instead of massing them in big bunches as our head-gardener does, she had scattered them about loosely, here and there...I can't say how.

The Duke had told me: he said: `Go and see how cleverly she's arranged her drawing-room.' And she has.I should really like to take Louisa to see her, if the neighbourhood were not so--unpleasant."A dead silence greeted this unusual flow of words from Mr.van der Luyden.Mrs.Archer drew her embroidery out of the basket into which she had nervously tumbled it, and Newland, leaning against the chimney-place and twisting a humming-bird-feather screen in his hand, saw Janey's gaping countenance lit up by the coming of the second lamp.

"The fact is," Mr.van der Luyden continued, stroking his long grey leg with a bloodless hand weighed down by the Patroon's great signet-ring, "the fact is, I1

Mrs.Archer produced an indulgent smile."Has the Duke been carrying her off to parties?""You know what these English grandees are.They're all alike.Louisa and I are very fond of our cousin--but it's hopeless to expect people who are accustomed to the European courts to trouble themselves about our little republican distinctions.The Duke goes where he's amused." Mr.van der Luyden paused, but no one spoke."Yes--it seems he took her with him last night to Mrs.Lemuel Struthers's.Sillerton Jackson has just been to us with the foolish story, and Louisa was rather troubled.So I thought the shortest way was to go straight to Countess Olenska and explain--by the merest hint, you know--how we feel in New York about certain things.I felt I might, without indelicacy, because the evening she dined with us she rather suggested...rather let me see that she would be grateful for guidance.And she WAS."Mr.van der Luyden looked about the room with what would have been self-satisfaction on features less purged of the vulgar passions.On his face it became a mild benevolence which Mrs.Archer's countenance dutifully reflected.

"How kind you both are, dear Henry--always!

Newland will particularly appreciate what you have done because of dear May and his new relations."She shot an admonitory glance at her son, who said:

"Immensely, sir.But I was sure you'd like Madame Olenska."Mr.van der Luyden looked at him with extreme gentleness."I never ask to my house, my dear Newland,"he said, "any one whom I do not like.And so I have just told Sillerton Jackson." With a glance at the clock he rose and added: "But Louisa will be waiting.We are dining early, to take the Duke to the Opera."After the portieres had solemnly closed behind their visitor a silence fell upon the Archer family.

"Gracious--how romantic!" at last broke explosively from Janey.No one knew exactly what inspired her elliptic comments, and her relations had long since given up trying to interpret them.

Mrs.Archer shook her head with a sigh."Provided it all turns out for the best," she said, in the tone of one who knows how surely it will not."Newland, you must stay and see Sillerton Jackson when he comes this evening: I really shan't know what to say to him.""Poor mother! But he won't come--" her son laughed, stooping to kiss away her frown.