She said:
"Have you had a good time at Count Rosek's?" And, without her will,
against her will, the words slipped out: "I'm afraid you've missed the
music-room!"
His stare wavered; he began to walk up and down.
"Missed! Missed everything! I have been very miserable, Gyp. You've no
idea how miserable. Yes, miserable, miserable, miserable!" With each
repetition of that word, his voice grew gayer. And kneeling down in
front of her, he stretched his long arms round her till they met behind
her waist: "Ah, my Gyp! I shall be a different being, now."
And Gyp went on smiling. Between that, and stabbing these false raptures
to the heart, there seemed to be nothing she could do. The moment his
hands relaxed, she got up and said:
"You know there's a baby in the house?"
He laughed.
"Ah, the baby! I'd forgotten. Let's go up and see it."
Gyp answered:
"You go."
She could feel him thinking: 'Perhaps it will make her nice to me!' He
turned suddenly and went.
She stood with her eyes shut, seeing the divan in the music-room and the
girl's arm shivering. Then, going to the piano, she began with all her
might to play a Chopin polonaise.
That evening they dined out, and went to "The Tales of Hoffmann." By
such devices it was possible to put off a little longer what she was
going to do. During the drive home in the dark cab, she shrank away
into her corner, pretending that his arm would hurt her dress; her
exasperated nerves were already overstrung.
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