What do you mean by 'all over the place'?""She couldn't keep still.She was different from the woman one had last seen.She used to be so calm--as if she were always sitting for her portrait.
Wasn't she in fact always being painted in a pink frock and one row of pearls, always staring out at you in exhibitions, as if she were saying 'Here they are again'? Last night she was on the rush.""The rush? Oh!"
"Yes, positively--from one man to another.She was on the pounce.She talked to ten in succession, making up to them in the most extraordinary way and leaving them still more crazily.She's as nervous as a cat.Put it to any man here, and see if he doesn't tell you.""I should think it quite unpleasant to put it to any man here," I returned;"and I should have been sure you would have thought it the same.I spoke to you in the deepest confidence."Mrs.Brissenden's look at me was for a moment of the least accommodating;then it changed to an intelligent smile."How you ARE protecting her! But don't cry out," she added, "before you're hurt.Since your confidence has distinguished me--though I don't quite see why--you may be sure I haven't breathed.So I all the more resent your making me a scene on the extraordinary ground that I've observed as well as yourself.Perhaps what you don't like is that my observation may be turned on you.I confess it is."It was difficult to bear being put in the wrong by her, but I made an effort that I believe was not unsuccessful to recover my good humour."It's not in the least to your observation that I object, it's to the extravagant inferences you draw from it.Of course, however, I admit I always want to protect the innocent.What does she gain, on your theory, by her rushing and pouncing? Had she pounced on Brissenden when we met him with her? Are you so very sure he hadn't pounced on HER? They had, at all events, to me, quite the air of people settled; she was not, it was clear, at that moment meditating a change.It was we, if you remember, who had absolutely to pull them apart.""Is it your idea to make out," Mrs.Brissenden inquired in answer to this, "that she has suddenly had the happy thought of a passion for my husband?"A new possibility, as she spoke, came to me with a whirr of wings, and I half expressed it."She may have a sympathy."My interlocutress gazed at space."You mean she may be sorry for him?
On what ground?"
I had gone too far indeed; but I got off as I could."You neglect him so! But what is she, at any rate," I went on, "nervous--as nervous as you describe her--ABOUT?""About her danger; the contingency of its being fixed upon them--an intimacy so thoroughgoing that they can scarcely afford to let it be seen even as a mere acquaintance.Think of the circumstances--HER personal ones, I mean, and admit that it wouldn't do.It would be too bad a case.There's everything to make it so.They must live on pins and needles.Anything proved would go tremendously hard for her.""In spite of which you're surprised that I 'protect' her?"It was a question, however, that my companion could meet."From people in general, no.From me in particular, yes."In justice to Mrs.Brissenden I thought a moment."Well, then, let us be fair all round.That you don't, as you say, breathe is a discretion I appreciate; all the more that a little inquiry, tactfully pursued, would enable you to judge whether any independent suspicion does attach.A little loose collateral evidence MIGHT be picked up; and your scorning to handle it is no more than I should, after all, have expected of you.""Thank you for 'after all'!" My companion tossed her head."I know for myself what I scorn to handle.Quite apart from that there's another matter.
You must have noticed yourself that when people are so much liked--""There's a kind of general, amiable consensus of blindness? Yes--one can think of cases.Popularity shelters and hallows--has the effect of making a good-natured world agree not to see."My friend seemed pleased that I so sufficiently understood."This evidently has been a case then in which it has not only agreed not to see, but agreed not even to look.It has agreed in fact to look straight the other way.
They say there's no smoke without fire, but it appears there may be fire without smoke.I'm satisfied, at all events, that one wouldn't in connection with these two find the least little puff.Isn't that just what makes the magnificence of their success--the success that reduces us to playing over them with mere moonshine?" She thought of it; seemed fairly to envy it.
"I've never SEEN such luck!"
"A rare case of the beauty of impunity AS impunity?" I laughed."Such a case puts a price on passions otherwise to be deprecated? I'm glad indeed you admit we're ' reduced.' We ARE reduced.But what I meant to say just now was that if you'll continue to join in the genial conspiracy while I do the same--each of us making an exception only for the other--I'll pledge myself absolutely to the straight course.If before we separate I've seen reason to change my mind, I'll loyally let you know.""What good will that do me," she asked, "if you DON'T change your mind?
You won't change it if you shut your eyes to her.""Ah, I feel I can't do that now.I AM interested.The proof of that is," I pursued, "that I appeal to you for another impression of your own.
I still don't see the logic of her general importunity.""The logic is simply that she has a terror of appearing to encourage anyone in particular.""Why then isn't it in her own interest, for the sake of the screen, just to DO that? The appearance of someone in particular would be exactly the opposite of the appearance of Long.Your own admission is that that's HIS line with Lady John."Mrs.Brissenden took her view."Oh, she doesn't want to do anything so like the real thing.And, as for what he does, they don't feel in the same way.He's not nervous.""Then why does he go in for a screen?"
"I mean"--she readily modified it--" that he's not so nervous as May.
