Henry James: Complete Stories 1864-1874 Read Online Free PDF Page A

different; but to go through everythingI mean everything that making our marriage known would bring upon me: the scolding and the exposure and the ridicule, the scenes at hometo go through it all just for the idea, and yet to be alone here, just as I was before, without my husband after all, with none of the good of himand here Georgina looked at her hostess as if with the certitude that such an enumeration of inconveniences would touch her effectuallyreally, Mrs. Portico, I am

 

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bound to say I don't think that would be worth while; I haven't the courage for it.
I never thought you were a coward, said Mrs. Portico.
Well, I am not, if you will give me time. I am very patient.
I never thought that either.
Marrying changes one, said Georgina, still smiling.
It certainly seems to have had a very odd effect upon you. Why don't you make him leave the navy and arrange your life comfortably, like every one else?
I wouldn't for the world interfere with his prospectswith his promotion. That is sure to come for him, and to come immediately, he has such talents. He is devoted to his profession; it would ruin him to leave it.
My dear young woman, you are a living wonder! Mrs. Portico exclaimed, looking at her companion as if she had been in a glass case.
So poor Raymond says, Georgina answered, smiling more than ever.
Certainly, I should have been very sorry to marry a navy-man; but if I had married him I would stick to him, in the face of all the scoldings in the universe!
I don't know what your parents may have been; I know what mine are, Georgina replied, with some dignity. When he's a captain we shall come out of hiding.
And what shall you do meanwhile? What will you do with your children? Where will you hide them? What will you do with this one?
Georgina rested her eyes on her lap for a minute; then, raising them, she met those of Mrs. Portico. Somewhere in Europe, she said, in her sweet tone.
Georgina Gressie, you're a monster! the elder lady cried.
I know what I am about, and you will help me, the girl went on.
I will go and tell your father and mother the whole storythat's what I will do!
I am not in the least afraid of thatnot in the least. You will help me; I assure you that you will.
Do you mean I will support the child?
Georgina broke into a laugh. I do believe you would, if I

 

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were to ask you! But I won't go so far as that; I have something of my own. All I want you to do is to be with me.
At Genoa; yes, you have got it all fixed! You say Mr. Benyon is so fond of the place. That's all very well; but how will he like his baby being deposited there?
He won't like it at all. You see I tell you the whole truth, said Georgina, gently.
Much obliged; it's a pity you keep it all for me! It is in his power, then, to make you behave properly. He can publish your marriage, if you won't; and if he does you will have to acknowledge your child.
Publish, Mrs. Portico? How little you know my Raymond! He will never break a promise; he will go through fire first.
And what have you got him to promise?
Never to insist on a disclosure against my will; never to claim me openly as his wife till I think it is time; never to let any one know what has passed between us if I choose to keep it still a secretto keep it for yearsto keep it for ever. Never do anything in the matter himself, but to leave it to me. For this he has given me his solemn word of honour, and I know what that means!
Mrs. Portico, on the sofa, fairly bounced.
You do know what you are about! And Mr. Benyon strikes me as more demented even than yourself. I never heard of a man putting his head into such a noose. What good can it do him?
What good? The good it did him was that it gratified me. At the time he took it he would have made any promise under the sun. It was a condition I exacted just at the very last, before the marriage took place. There was nothing at that moment he would have refused me; there was nothing I couldn't have made him do. He was in love