“Peace be with you, now and always! ”
These words of the Brahmin had not been in vain, peace had remained with Madame Ronald. The image of Sant’Anna was there, behind her forehead, but diminished, effaced, powerless to hasten the beating of her heart, to cause her regret. And the Hindu had given her an even more divine gift: according to his promise, he had inspired in her a sense of human brotherhood, he had put her in more intimate communion with the little ones, with lower beings, with nature itself. . His understanding had grown, his charity had acquired more tenderness and warmth, and unexpected events had come to purify his soul of the dross that passion had left there.
On her return to America, Hélène had found the country in the first convulsions of war fever. The majority of the upper class women preached and wanted peace. Many, moreover, knew Spain from having traveled there, had felt more or less its charm, its poetry, the radiance of its great past. They all felt sexual sympathy, sincere admiration for the Queen Regent, tender pity for the Child King. Under the influence of these sentiments, they had deemed this war unworthy of a nation as civilized as theirs, and bluntly denounced the interests and ambitions that were hidden under the humanitarian flag: the humanitarian flag is, moreover, that which often covers the ugliest commodities. As soon as war is declared, they were all taken to the bowels by the love of the country, the hatred of the Spaniard. There were, in many, magnificent outbursts of generosity and devotion. Their generation experienced for the first time the pangs of battle, the anguish of the homicidal struggle. They trembled and prayed for their own, quivered at the cannon of victory, vibrated at the tale of heroic deeds. And all these waves of emotion renewed more than one woman’s heart, none perhaps as much as that of Helene. shuddered at the tale of heroic deeds. And all these waves of emotion renewed more than one woman’s heart, none perhaps as much as that of Helene. shuddered at the tale of heroic deeds. And all these waves of emotion renewed more than one woman’s heart, none perhaps as much as that of Helene.
Ronald Henry, Charley and Jack Beauchamp Ascott enlisted first and were incorporated into the 10 th Cavalry Regiment.
At the battle of San-Juan, the 1 stJuly, while going up to the assault of the hill which dominates Santiago, Jack Ascott found the death which he had come to seek. Charley Beauchamp was spared; Mr. Ronald received two serious injuries to his left thigh. Hélène, who had followed him to Florida where, with a few friends, she had established a relief headquarters, found a way to get to him. She had never had the opportunity to do anything for her husband; she had received everything, demanded everything from him. For the first time, she was called to care for him, for she had had him in her arms, weak as a child. She spent nights and nights at his bedside. Growing tenderness made his fingers wonderfully skillful and light. She disputed her leg with the surgeon’s knife and saved it from amputation: to this work of wife and wife, she found the sweetest joys she had ever known, and from her very anxieties arose for Henri a love which until then had been powerless to inspire in her. In September only, she was able to bring him back to Massachusetts, to Saint-Hubert, the beautiful property that had come to her from her father. There he finished recovering. The time of his convalescence was for both of them like a second honeymoon, infinitely sweeter and happier than the first. About the middle of October they returned to New York, where Mr. Ronald was preparing to make known the new strength he had discovered. in Saint-Hubert, the beautiful property that came to him from his father. There he finished recovering. The time of his convalescence was for both of them like a second honeymoon, infinitely sweeter and happier than the first. About the middle of October they returned to New York, where Mr. Ronald was preparing to make known the new strength he had discovered. in Saint-Hubert, the beautiful property that came to him from his father. There he finished recovering. The time of his convalescence was for both of them like a second honeymoon, infinitely sweeter and happier than the first. About the middle of October they returned to New York, where Mr. Ronald was preparing to make known the new strength he had discovered.
And we find Hélène in her famous bathroom. She had changed it entirely. No more changing brocade on the walls, no more salamanders, no more butterflies on the panels. Ancient Persian, white, matt woodwork, watercolors by Leloir, Corelli, and a single oil painting, that of Willie Gray: La Folie de Titania .
Dressed in a soft, mauve-gray dress, she was sitting in front of her mirror, absent-mindedly polishing her nails, and looking at herself without seeing herself. His mirror, always the same, reflected a very different face, nobler and softer in expression. Between the eyebrows, the crease of thought had widened. To paint her another palette would have been needed: her beauty had richer and warmer tones; her hair was really the color of hyacinth. Under his big brown eyes, passion had left light, indelible circles.
On the dressing table was an open letter, and Dora’s extravagant handwriting could be recognized from afar. The war having delayed the departure of the Sant’Anna, they did not arrive in America until the end of August and went directly to the countryside, in Maine, where they had spent September and October. The Countess, who returned to New York the same day, had stayed at the Waldorf Hotel and had announced her visit to Madame Ronald for the afternoon. Hélène was waiting for him with a little emotion and a strong curiosity. As four o’clock struck, a sharp knock, recognizable among a thousand, was knocked at the door and, as was his old habit. Dora burst in immediately.
– It’s me ! It’s me !
– Dody!
This affectionate and familiar diminutive came naturally to Helene’s lips.
The two women kissed with a burst of genuine friendship, then they looked each other in the eyes for a few seconds.
– I’m so glad to see you again! said the countess.
– So the grandeur did not make you forget your friends?
Dora shrugged.
– No, no … my vanity has a lot of scope, she replied smiling, – but little depth; it never reaches the heart.
– So much the better! Your post gave me a pleasant surprise: I wasn’t expecting you until next week.
– The weather has become too bad to stay longer in the countryside. Lelo has accepted one last hunting trip; I took the initiative, with mom. You will see her later. She must bring you Baby. I can not wait to show it to you, it is beautiful to envy a queen.
– Didn’t he suffer from the trip and the climate change?
– No, thank God!… He has no idea how grateful I am to him for having done so well. If anything had happened to her, the Sant’Annas would never have forgiven me.
– Let’s go to the small living room! suggested Mrs. Ronald.
– Oh ! please, let’s stay here a moment longer. We are better at talking… But you have changed everything! cried the countess, looking around her.
– When you get older, it is wise to give yourself a more sober setting.
– Old, you! You are more delicious to see than ever.
Then, suddenly noticing the painting of Willie Gray:
– Here, the Madness of Titania ! In order to have such a subject in her house, a woman must have a quite superior husband like you. For many, it would be a pretty satire!
– Indeed ! said Hélène, smiling.
Dora took off her jacket, her gloves, threw them on a lounge chair and came to sit in Mr. Ronald’s rocking chair .
– The dear armchair! she said, stroking and squeezing with her thin hands the arms of the favorite seat. – I’ve never found one so comfortable.
Helene had resumed her place in front of her dressing table.
“Tell me about Henri,” asked the countess. How’s his leg?
– She’s walking… I was so afraid he would lose her!
– Oh ! I assure you that I have shared your concerns. I imagined what the loss of a limb would be for him, so active. I saw him crippled, condemned to crutches, it was a nightmare for me and, the day you telegraphed that all threat of amputation was ruled out, I heaved a famous phew of relief.
– And I therefore ! I went through cruel anguish; I am amazed that I don’t have gray hair.
Dora gave her chair an accelerated and uneven movement that betrayed a sudden nervous agitation. She looked at Helene between her closed eyelashes, opened her mouth twice without being able to speak, then in a somewhat hoarse voice:
– So… Jack was killed… she said.
– Yes, the 1 st of July, at the Battle of San Juan, and it was a great mercy. Since leaving the business, he drank and gambled in a scary way. He had bought himself a ranch in the west. From time to time he would shut himself up there as if he wanted to stop on the slope, then he would come back and start descending again. It was heartbreaking. He got involved at the same time as Henri and Charley. They both told me that during the campaign, especially at El Caney, he had shown admirable spirit and composure. Under enemy fire, he ran to transmit orders, picked up the wounded, carried them to the riverbank. In this affair of the 1 stJuly, when so many lives were sacrificed, he had a good chance of dying. Seven thousand men had been thrown into the valley, in front of the hill of San-Juan which dominates Santiago, and whose summit spat fire like an erupting volcano. Impossible to go back: you had to take her or be killed to the last. They made it their masters, but at an enormous cost of lives. Charley, Henry, and Jack were part of the first line that mounted the assault, a thin line, drawn out in an arch. They all climbed slowly under the thundering batteries. With each step, the danger increased and the enemy’s fire became more deadly. At the last discharge of the Spaniards, Henri and Jack were wounded. Henri, hit in the thigh, fell. Jack, punched in the chest, bloody, eyes out of his head, continued to climb. As a weapon he held a flag. By a miracle of will and heroism, he reached the top of the deserted trench, planted the star-spangled banner in the soft earth and fell down, face down. It was Charley who picked him up. He lived a few more minutes. Through his agony, he must have heard the cheers of victory, for he died with a smile on his face.
Listening to this story. Little by little, Dora had slowed down, then stopped the movement of her rocking chair. Reflections of emotion had passed and passed again on his face, his eyes had wet, finally, the tears had welled.
‘I didn’t tell you this to hurt you,’ said Mrs. Ronald, ‘but to honor Jack’s memory and so that you know his full value.
– I know her, I know her! replied the countess hastily, wiping her cheeks. – I have no remorse, because I suspect that we do not make our destinies, no more than we do ourselves … but I would have liked another had been chosen to send Jack to that glorious death… I didn’t love him enough to make him happy. With me he would have had a troubled life. This thought will always console me.
At that moment, the maid came to announce that tea was served. Madame Ronald offered her arm to Dora and led her into a lovely little living room, very pale water green, with gray and gold paneling. The two women remained silent for a few moments, moved.
– How does your husband find America? Helene finally asked to resume the conversation.
– She pleases him much more than I dared to hope. I was so afraid that he would be bored there! Boredom falls on him like influenza would, and then he becomes sad and doesn’t speak anymore, it’s annoying. It’s very happy that the d’Anguilhon and the de Kéradieu came this year: I invited them to Orienta, so that we had a very pleasant company there… Lelo was charming all the time. It is true that he was successful!… I think I would have even more trouble keeping him here than in Rome! American women have a loathsome way of provoking men’s gallantry.
– And it is you, you, who find that!
Dora blushes.
– Sorry, I have never flirted with other people’s husbands! Besides, I have nothing to fear. Lelo loves me, I’m sure, and always more. Then the Italian is very wise, very selfish: he knows, as we say, on which side his bread is buttered. The woman who has children and money is very powerful.
– I had the d’Anguilhon’s for dinner last week; Annie has an air of bliss!…
– Oh ! she adores her husband. When you love, everything is easy. Here is a force that love!
The tone was so funny that Mrs. Ronald couldn’t help but smile.
– The marquis is charming, added Dora, but he would worry me: he is too complicated. You never know what these French people are capable of. Lelo is simpler. He doesn’t have a touch of ideality or enthusiasm. A lot of heart, wit, wit… and nerves… that’s enough for Dody.
– So you are happy with your fate?
– Archicontente!
– Especially delighted to have a title!
– Yes, I’m not hiding it. When I was little, I ennobled my companions for the pleasure of playing with princes and dukes. It was a hunch.
– And Roman society, what do you think?
– Oh ! I have come to the conclusion that all the “societies”, French, English, transatlantic, are only facades of various architectures. It is not in people of the world that one should look for deep feelings and lofty ideas. Roman society is also a facade. It has beautiful, noble, simple lines, like those of its palaces, but we hardly distinguish them anymore, so dirty are they, blackened by the dust of centuries, in other words by prejudices, by a lot of antediluvian things. There are now, here and there, great, clear, brand new pieces: the Italian-American clan. It’s ugly as a mending, I realize. Will these pieces darken to match, or will the rest go white? Chi lo sa?
Hélène looked at the young woman with surprise.
– I see that you have not lost the gift of picturesque comparisons … This one proves that you have reflected and observed. I believe it is very fair. All my compliments.
– Oh ! we age quickly… morally, in Europe. Do you know what surprises me the most? it is the place that love holds in the life of all these Italians. It is the constant theme of their conversations. It is to him that they owe, in large part, the animation of their faces, the warmth of their voices, their looks, their electricity… because they have electricity like cats!… Over there , when there are two people together, they talk about their affairs of the heart; if there are several, they speak of those of the others; Throughout society there is a current of intrigue, of flirtation, of secret intelligence. With us, love is an appetizer; in Rome, it’s the main course.
– Oh ! Dody! …
– It’s the truth, and it infuriates me. Good Lord ! but there are so many more interesting things in life! Count Ripalta, who is somewhat French, makes commendable efforts to tear society away from its loves, its gossip, and turn its mind towards subjects more worthy of it. Through conferences, through artistic mornings, he tries to put her in motion, but he will have a hard time!
– It’s surprising, all the same, to see how our compatriots love Roman society!
– No, because she has a great charm. I could not say what it consists of, for example! As for me, I like it more and more. I have learned to weigh my words, not to say everything that crosses my mind; It was pretty hard. When I set foot in America again, I involuntarily exclaimed: “Ah! finally I will be able to speak! Lelo laughed about it for eight days.
– Do you plan to spend some time in New York?
– A month, six weeks, maybe … I was fortunate enough to get at the Waldorf, this beautiful apartment Empire at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 33 th Street. I hope my dear husband will like it. And now I come to invite you for tomorrow. The d’Anguilhon and the de Kéradieu are leaving in three days: I wanted to give them a farewell dinner. I prayed to Willie Gray, your brother, Mrs. Newton, Mrs. Loftus, Lili Munroë, Marguerite Daner, the women who jealous me the most, who were the most enraged of my marriage. It will be an intimate and charming dinner. Lelo won’t be back until very late, he won’t be able to visit you before.
A tinge of emotion, of embarrassment, passed over Helene’s face.
– But we have a commitment for tomorrow!
– You will free yourself.
– And then… I don’t know… if Henri…
– If Henri will agree to accept the invitation of Count and Countess Sant’Anna? said the young woman, laughing. – I’ll take care of it.
As she was saying this, Mr. Ronald appeared in the doorway. He had grown pale and thin, the traces of his physical suffering were still very visible.
With its beautiful flexibility. Dora jumped up to meet him and threw her arms around his neck.
– Uncle, uncle, what happiness to find you safe and sound! she cried, kissing him as before.
The scholar stiffened under the caresses of his niece, he pressed his thin lips, tried to extricate himself from this affectionate embrace, but she tightened it.
– How? ‘Or’ What ! this is how you receive me, after having caused me such horrible anxieties! Will your grudge against me last a lifetime? “The heart of the good man is an abyss of hidden evil. “I am sure I have read these words in the Book of Wisdom, – said Dora boldly. – They seemed a little strong to me, but you would make me believe that they are true!
This time Mr. Ronald could not stand it; something like a smile crossed his eyes. The young woman saw it and, emboldened by this first success:
– Come and sit there, – she continued, leading her uncle to an armchair. – We will offer you a cup of tea, it will reinvigorate your feelings for me.
After serving Henry very kindly, the irrepressible Dora perched on the arm of her seat.
While drinking his tea, Mr. Ronald examined him curiously.
– Would you find me embellished?
– I do not say no !
– Say yes, you’ll make me happy. My best enemies agree. That does not surprise me. If, as you told me in one of your unforgettable sermons, it is devotion and self-sacrifice that beautify a woman, I must have become a beauty.
Helene laughed:
– So you practice these virtues now? she asked.
– If I practice them!… But I’m not complaining…
– Your husband must not complain about it either! … said Mr. Ronald.
– Him ? Well, that’s what’s annoying! He finds my way of doing things quite natural. He had no idea what Dora Carroll was. These Europeans are incredible: real pashas!
– And how do you get along with your uncle the Eminence?
– We’re at our best together. He is even the only one in the family with whom I have a pleasant relationship … By the way, Hélène! since you are a Catholic now, if you ever need the papal blessing or an extraordinary permission, contact me: I will take care of obtaining it for you.
– Good ! I’ll remember it.
– When you think that you must have become Cardinal Salvoni’s niece! said Mr. Ronald. It is all the same extraordinary. Do you call him “Eminence”?
– No, I just call him “ zio ”, which means uncle in Italian, but the word is not as familiar as in English and French … For example, when I shake his hand instead of kissing him, it always seems to amaze him.
– Oh ! he must have surprises with you!
– That is to say, I am a revelation for him. Judge, I believe that before me he had never met with an independent and modern mind. We talk a lot together. I suggest a bunch of things to him, American ideas, with the hope that he will remember them if he becomes pope.
A pope taking inspiration from Dora’s ideas, this seemed so enormous to Helene, and even to her husband, that they both burst out laughing.
– Make fun of you, make fun of you, but the cardinal keeps asking me about America. He seems to feel her pulse in me.
– It is unfortunate that he does not have the pulse of a more sensible woman under his fingers! Mr Ronald said.
- Zio, zio , you disrespect me! Dora said with her imperturbable good humor. – Joking aside, we, the cardinal and I, have very interesting conversations. And do you know? I think I have come to understand the organization of the Catholic Church.
– Really!… Exclaimed Hélène, ah! that interests me.
– Well, it is quite simply a formidable spiritual army of which the Pope is the general-in-chief. The high clergy, the officers, work for the temporal power, for their respective ambitions: the low clergy, the simple soldiers, them, believe to work for God, to gain the sky, and they accomplish superhuman works; in reality, all these works only serve to increase the glory of the Church.
– I think you are wrong, said Helene a little dryly.
– Not at all ! I have the illustration of the system in front of me, at the Salvoni Palace, in the person of the cardinal, who only dreams of becoming Pope, of increasing the power of the Vatican, and that of Don Agostino, a poor priest. who is hypnotized by a dream of paradise and lives only to save souls. It is certain, for the high clergy the slogan is: “Everything for the Church”; for the lower clergy: “Everything for God”. This does not scandalize me; on the contrary ! I find this organization admirable, necessary, and I have much more respect for the Roman Church than in the past. She is really very tall.
– Did the cardinal try to convert you? asked Mr. Ronald, smiling.
– No never ; but do you know what he got from me? … that people should be thin in my house, on Fridays and on the eve of certain holidays: he gave me the list. “For the good religious example,” he said. In reality, it is so that we know in Rome that among the Sant’Anna, – in casa Sant’Anna , – the commandments of the Church are observed. I gave in, because he seemed to care about it in an extraordinary way, but I let him see that I understood the reason for his desire.
– He has a very beautiful head; the Scribner’s Magazine gave his portrait some time ago.
– Yes, and above all he looks great. He would make a splendid Pope.
– Do you see him often? said Helene.
– For the past six months, we’ve been dining with him every Sunday. He lives in the Salvoni Palace, a palace filled with beautiful things, but icy as if never a ray of sunshine and a woman had never entered it. If it still contained microbes from the Middle Ages, that wouldn’t surprise me. There, in these magnificent apartments, there is a curious smell of church, of incense, of books, of old boys, of tobacco, a smell of other centuries… It has long intrigued and teased my nose; he ended up getting used to it, loving it, even.
– Oh ! Dody, Dody! cried Helene, you have not changed.
– I hope so! … Finally, I familiarized myself with this Italian decor and everything else. After dinner, we have glorious games of billiards or beesigue: His Eminence appreciates my little talents in society, I assure you!… Joking aside, I think he really has friendship for me. This spring, I made a big mistake …
“It must happen to you sometimes,” said Mr. Ronald.
– Yes… no matter… I will tell it to you some day, if you are good. The cardinal thought that Lelo had agreed with me, and he looked cold on him. So I confessed everything. Well, he didn’t scold me, he just said, patting me on the shoulder: “ Figlia mia, you have a very bad head, but a big good heart… ”I bet he regrets me!… Before leaving, I brought Baby to him: he gave him his blessing; then he made the sign of the cross on my forehead and put his ring against my lips – a beautiful ruby - and I kissed it, my faith! … It’s funny, I don’t couldn’t help myself; he had hypnotized me: I no longer saw my opponent at billiards or beesigue, but His Eminence Cardinal Salvoni, a prince of the Church, in every inch of his person. If he becomes pope, I am perfectly capable of kneeling before him. But enough on that!… I told you all this, so that you might be as kind to Lelo as his uncle is to me. As long as a cardinal has resigned himself to having an American and Protestant niece, you may well, resign yourself to having an Italian and Catholic nephew. It would be nice if an American, a Democrat, had narrower ideas than a Roman prelate!… During my marriage, you weren’t nice. He looked like a comedy tutor in love with his niece and forced to give her to a handsome young man. Lelo was very offended, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still held a grudge against you. He has a very Latin susceptibility, horribly proud. If you look cold on him, he will turn his back on you and never want to set foot in your house again. It would cause me great grief and spoil all the pleasure of my trip. We need to sign peace now, and promise me to welcome Lelo back and be back to what you once were: my best friend. if an American, a democrat, had narrower ideas than a Roman prelate!… During my marriage, you were not nice. He looked like a comedy tutor in love with his niece and forced to give her to a handsome young man. Lelo was very offended, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still held a grudge against you. He has a very Latin susceptibility, horribly proud. If you look cold on him, he will turn his back on you and never want to set foot in your house again. It would cause me great grief and spoil all the pleasure of my trip. We need to sign peace now, and promise me to welcome Lelo back and be back to what you once were: my best friend. if an American, a democrat, had narrower ideas than a Roman prelate!… During my marriage, you were not nice. He looked like a comedy tutor in love with his niece and forced to give her to a handsome young man. Lelo was very offended, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still held a grudge against you. He has a very Latin susceptibility, horribly proud. If you look cold on him, he will turn his back on you and never want to set foot in your house again. It would cause me great grief and spoil all the pleasure of my trip. We need to sign peace now, and promise me to welcome Lelo back and be back to what you once were: my best friend. He looked like a comedy tutor in love with his niece and forced to give her to a handsome young man. Lelo was very offended, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still held a grudge against you. He has a very Latin susceptibility, horribly proud. If you look cold on him, he will turn his back on you and never want to set foot in your house again. It would cause me great grief and spoil all the pleasure of my trip. We need to sign peace now, and promise me to welcome Lelo back and be back to what you once were: my best friend. He looked like a comedy tutor in love with his niece and forced to give her to a handsome young man. Lelo was very offended, I wouldn’t be surprised if he still held a grudge against you. He has a very Latin susceptibility, horribly proud. If you look cold on him, he will turn his back on you and never want to set foot in your house again. It would cause me great grief and spoil all the pleasure of my trip. We need to sign peace now, and promise me to welcome Lelo back and be back to what you once were: my best friend. If you look cold on him, he will turn his back on you and never want to set foot in your house again. It would cause me great grief and spoil all the pleasure of my trip. We need to sign peace now, and promise me to welcome Lelo back and be back to what you once were: my best friend. If you look cold on him, he will turn his back on you and never want to set foot in your house again. It would cause me great grief and spoil all the pleasure of my trip. We need to sign peace now, and promise me to welcome Lelo back and be back to what you once were: my best friend.
– What friend do you need, you who do what you want! said Mr. Ronald in order to fight against his tenderness.
– Yes… and, for once I have listened to my heart, you are angry with me! Does it make sense?
– No, finally said Hélène, – it’s even unfair, on the part of a man who denies free will, who affirms that love is a magnetic wave, a fluid, and who even seeks to invent the necessary instruments. to save or photograph it.
The young woman jumped to her feet. His eyes wide open hinted at the rapid work of his thought. A sort of dread mingled with respect was painted on his face.
– Love, a fluid! she repeated, but that’s it, that’s it! Lelo attracted me irresistibly. When he was near me, everything seemed more beautiful, the air was different… Oh! uncle, I think you really are a great man!
As the young woman spoke these words, Madame Carroll entered, followed by a superb Roman nurse who carried little Guido.
Mr. Ronald went to meet his sister and greeted her very affectionately.
Meanwhile, Dora had taken off the Baby’s large feathered hat, ruffled the thick curls of her hair golden brown like a fresh chestnut with a dexterous finger, then presented it to Helene.
– The beautiful little creature! the latter cried, gazing unmistakably at Sant’Anna’s child.
– Is not it ? Does he look enough like his father!
– A lot, indeed.
Dora approached Mr. Ronald.
– Uncle, she said gravely, see… – this one was to be born.
A sudden and deep emotion softens the figure of the scientist. He looked for a moment at little Guido, then, wrapping his arm around the mother and the child, he kissed them both.
– You are right, he said, this one had to be born… and another had to die! he added lower.
