She was looking at the pictures in the room,and asked for explanations of them which Mr.Engelman only could afford.It struck me as odd that her mother's artistic sympathies did not appear to be excited by the pictures.Instead of joining her daughter at the other end of the room,she stood by the bedside with her hand resting on the little table,and her eyes fixed on the jug of barley-water,absorbed in thought.On a sudden,she started,turned quickly,and caught me observing her.I might have been deceived by the lamp-light;but I thought I saw a flash of expression under her heavy eyelids,charged with such intensity of angry suspicion that it startled me.She was herself again,before I could decide whether to trust my own strong impression or not.
"Do I surprise you,David?"she asked in her gentlest tones."I ought to be looking at the pictures,you think?My friend!I can't always control my own sad recollections.They will force themselves on me--sometimes when the most trifling associations call them up.Dear Mr.Engelman understands me.He,no doubt,has suffered too.May I sit down for a moment?"She dropped languidly into a chair,and sat looking at the famous chimney-piece.Her attitude was the perfection of grace.Mr.Engelman hurried through his explanation of the pictures,and placed himself at her side,and admired the chimney-piece with her.
"Artists think it looks best by lamplight,"he said."The big pediment between the windows keeps out the light in the daytime."Madame Fontaine looked round at him with a softly approving smile.
"Exactly what I was thinking myself,when you spoke,"she said."The effect by this light is simply perfect.Why didn't I bring my sketch-book with me?I might have stolen some little memorial of it,in Mr.Keller's absence."She turned towards me when she said that.
"If you can do without colors,"I suggested,"we have paper and pencils in the house."The clock in the corridor struck the hour.
Mr.Engelman looked uneasy,and got up from his chair.His action suggested that the time had passed by us unperceived,and that Mr.
Keller's return might take place at any moment.The same impression was evidently produced on Minna.For once in her life,the widow's quick perception seemed to have deserted her.She kept her seat as composedly as if she had been at home "I wonder whether I could manage without my colors?"she said placidly.
"Perhaps I might try."
Mr.Engelman's uneasiness increased to downright alarm.Minna perceived the change,as I did,and at once interfered.
"I am afraid,mamma,it is too late for sketching to-night,"she said.
"Suppose Mr.Keller should come back?"
Madame Fontaine rose instantly,with a look of confusion."How very stupid of me not to think of it!"she exclaimed."Forgive me,Mr.
Engelman--I was so interested,so absorbed--thank you a thousand times for your kindness!"She led the way out,with more apologies and more gratitude.Mr.Engelman recovered his tranquillity.He looked at her lovingly,and gave her his arm to lead her down-stairs.
On this occasion,Minna and I were in front.We reached the first landing,and waited there.The widow was wonderfully slow in descending the stairs.Judging by what we heard,she was absorbed in the old balusters now.When she at last joined us on the landing,the doors of the rooms on the first floor delayed her again:it was simply impossible,she said,to pass them without notice.Once more,Minna and I waited on the ground floor.Here,there was another ancient brass lamp which lighted the hall;and,therefore,another object of beauty which it was impossible to pass over in a hurry.
"I never knew mamma behave so oddly before,"said Minna."If such a thing wasn't impossible,in our situation,one would really think she wanted Mr.Keller to catch us in the house!"There was not the least doubt in my mind (knowing as I did,how deeply Madame Fontaine was interested in forcing her acquaintance on Mr.Keller)that this was exactly what she did want.Fortune is proverbially said to favor the bold;and Fortune offered to the widow the perilous opportunity of which she had been in search.
While she was still admiring the lamp,the grating sound became audible of a key put into the street door.
The door opened,and Mr.Keller walked into the hall.
He stopped instantly at the sight of two ladies who were both strangers to him,and looked interrogatively at his partner.Mr.Engelman had no choice but to risk an explanation of some kind.He explained,without mentioning names.
"Friends of mine,Keller,"he said confusedly,"to whom I have been showing the house."Mr.Keller took off his hat,and bowed to the widow.With a boldness that amazed me,under the circumstances,she made a low curtsey to him,smiled her sweetest smile,and deliberately mentioned her name.
"I am Madame Fontaine,sir,"she said."And this is my daughter,Minna."
CHAPTER XIII
Mr.Keller fixed his eyes on the widow in stern silence;walked past her to the inner end of the hall;and entered a room at the back of the house,closing the door behind him.Even if he had felt inclined to look at Minna,it would not have been possible for him to see her.After one timid glance at him,the poor girl hid herself behind me,trembling piteously.I took her hand to encourage her."Oh,what hope is there for us,"she whispered,"with such a man as that?"Madame Fontaine turned as Mr.Keller passed her,and watched his progress along the hall until he disappeared from view."No,"she said quietly to herself,"you don't escape me in that way."As if moved by a sudden impulse,she set forth on the way by which Mr.
Keller had gone before her;walking,as he had walked,to the door at the end of the hall.