The yellow book: an illustrated quarterly (6.1895)

The Dead Wall

240
apparent connection. All the reserves of his nature were enrolled
in that gallant essay to fence him from the Horror of his life, and
hedge him safely about with casual trifles. Of a sudden he saw
things clear about him. A certain bright wit shone in his
soliloquies; he spoke with that incoherence and irresponsibility
which begets sometimes effective phrasing. His wife considered
him ; the novelty of his conversation struck her, its frivolity took
her with admiration. Slowly the barriers of her own reserve
broke down, the sense of satisfaction in herself grew upon
her, and by degrees her good-humour returned. She joined
in his talk, laughed a little, was inspired by his mood into newer,
fresher, wilder hopes. No word was said about the scene in the
bedroom ; it had dropped into past history, and their feet were
set to the future. And when Williams was gone, she turned
swiftly upon him, her zeal showing in her eyes.
“And now, Freddy,” she said, “ tell me all about Maclagan.”
His face started into haggard lines ; he lowered his eyes, and,
with a short laugh, shook his head.
“Later ; not now,” he said. “You begin.”
She laughed also. “I have seen Lord Hambleton,” she said
with a burst of excitement. “ He is coming to-night.” And
watched upon his face for the effect.
“ Oh, you clever girl ! ” he cried, his eyes smiling, his lips
quivering slightly. “You clever girl.”
Again she laughed. It almost seemed to her at that moment
that she loved him.
“ Ah, you would think so, if you knew how I managed it.”
“ But I know it, I know it,” he cried, seizing her hand across
the table. “ You are as clever as you are beautiful.”
He hardly recalled the point to which their conversation related ;
he was aware only of her proximity and her kindly eyes. She
returned