DOI article:
Beerbohm, Max: The happy hypocrite
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.38746#0048
44
The Happy Hypocrite
not look at me. Turn your eyes from the foul reality that I
dissembled.” He shuddered and hid his face in his hands. “Do
not look at me. I will go from the garden. Nor will I ever
curse you with the odious spectacle of my face. Forget me,
forget me.”
But, as he turned to go, Jenny laid her hands upon his wrists
and besought him that he would look at her. “ For indeed,” she
said, “ I am bewildered by your strange words. Why did you
woo me under a mask ? And why do you imagine I could love
you less dearly, seeing your own face ? ”
He looked into her eyes. On their violet surface he saw the
tiny reflection of his own face. He was filled with joy and
wonder.
“Surely,” said Jenny, “your face is even dearer to me, even
fairer, than the semblance that hid it and deceived me. I am not
angry. ’Twas well that you veiled from me the full glory of your
face, for indeed I was not worthy to behold it too soon. But I
am your wife now. Let me look always at your own face. Let
the time of my probation be over. Kiss me with your own
lips.”
So he took her in his arms, as though she had been a little
child, and kissed her with his own lips. She put her arms round
his neck, and he was happier than he had ever been. They were
alone in the garden now. Nor lay the mask any longer upon the
lawn, for the sun had melted it.
The Happy Hypocrite
not look at me. Turn your eyes from the foul reality that I
dissembled.” He shuddered and hid his face in his hands. “Do
not look at me. I will go from the garden. Nor will I ever
curse you with the odious spectacle of my face. Forget me,
forget me.”
But, as he turned to go, Jenny laid her hands upon his wrists
and besought him that he would look at her. “ For indeed,” she
said, “ I am bewildered by your strange words. Why did you
woo me under a mask ? And why do you imagine I could love
you less dearly, seeing your own face ? ”
He looked into her eyes. On their violet surface he saw the
tiny reflection of his own face. He was filled with joy and
wonder.
“Surely,” said Jenny, “your face is even dearer to me, even
fairer, than the semblance that hid it and deceived me. I am not
angry. ’Twas well that you veiled from me the full glory of your
face, for indeed I was not worthy to behold it too soon. But I
am your wife now. Let me look always at your own face. Let
the time of my probation be over. Kiss me with your own
lips.”
So he took her in his arms, as though she had been a little
child, and kissed her with his own lips. She put her arms round
his neck, and he was happier than he had ever been. They were
alone in the garden now. Nor lay the mask any longer upon the
lawn, for the sun had melted it.