FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   234   235   236   237   238   239   240   241   242   243   244   245   246   247   248   249   250   251   252   253   254   255   256   257   258  
259   260   261   262   263   264   265   266   267   268   269   270   271   272   273   274   275   276   277   278   279   280   281   282   283   >>   >|  
hese occasions. She had mentioned the large-mouthed children at Wimbledon--facts that he preferred to forget as much as possible--and he did not know that he forgave her. There was a tranquil malice in realizing that as Madame von Marwitz became more and more displeasing to him, Mrs. Jardine, more and more, became pleasing. A new savour had come into his life since her appearance and he had determined to postpone a final rupture with his great friend and remain on for some time longer at Les Solitudes. He wondered if it would be possible to awaken Mrs. Jardine. "Haven't I heard you practising, once or twice lately?" he asked her now, as they turned at the end of the terrace and walked back. "Yes," said Karen; "I practise every morning." "I'd no idea you played, too." "It is hardly a case of 'too', is it," Karen said, mildly amused. "I don't know. Perhaps it is. One may look at a Memling after a Michael Angelo, you know. I wish you'd play to me." "I am no Memling, I assure you." "You can't, until I hear you. Do play to me. Brahms; a little Brahms." "I have practised no Brahms for a long time. I find him too difficult." "I heard you doing a Bach prelude yesterday; play that." "Certainly, if you wish it, I will play it to you," said Karen, "though I do not think that you will much enjoy it." Mrs. Talcott was in the morning-room over accounts; so Karen went with the young man into the music-room and opened the grand piano there. She then played her prelude, delicately, carefully, composedly. She knew Mr. Drew to be musicianly; she did not mind playing to him. More and more, Mr. Drew reflected, looking down at her, she reminded him of flower-brimmed, inaccessible mountain-slopes. He must discover some method of ascent; for the music brought her no nearer; he was aware, indeed, that it removed her. She quite forgot him as she played. The last bars had been reached when the door opened suddenly and Madame von Marwitz appeared. She had come in haste--that was evident--and a mingled fatigue and excitement was on her face. Her white cheeks had soft, sodden depressions and under her eyes were little pinches in the skin, as though hot fingers had nipped her there. She looked almost old, and she smiled a determined, adjusted smile, with heavy eyes. "_Tiens, tiens_," she said, and, turning elaborately, she shut the door. Karen finished her bars and rose. "This is a new departure," said Madame von M
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   234   235   236   237   238   239   240   241   242   243   244   245   246   247   248   249   250   251   252   253   254   255   256   257   258  
259   260   261   262   263   264   265   266   267   268   269   270   271   272   273   274   275   276   277   278   279   280   281   282   283   >>   >|  



Top keywords:

Brahms

 

Madame

 
played
 

morning

 
determined
 

Memling

 
Marwitz
 

opened

 

Jardine

 
prelude

method

 

playing

 
discover
 

ascent

 

slopes

 

brought

 

nearer

 

mountain

 

delicately

 
carefully

reminded

 
musicianly
 

inaccessible

 

composedly

 

brimmed

 

flower

 

reflected

 

fatigue

 

looked

 

smiled


adjusted

 

nipped

 

fingers

 
pinches
 
departure
 

finished

 

turning

 

elaborately

 

depressions

 

reached


suddenly
 

removed

 

forgot

 

appeared

 

cheeks

 
sodden
 

evident

 

mingled

 

excitement

 

Michael