It doesnt, I fear, seem particularly mine. And it doesnt in the least matter, over there, whether one likes it or notthat is to anyone but ones self. But I didnt like it, said Charlotte Stant.
Thats not encouraging then to me, is it? the Prince went on.
Do you mean because youre going?
Oh yes, of course were going. Ive wanted immensely to go. She hesitated. But now?immediately?
In a month or twoit seems to be the new idea. On which there was something in her faceas he imaginedthat made him say: Didnt Maggie write to you?
Not of your going at once. But of course you must go. And of course you must stayCharlotte was easily clearas long as possible.
Is that what you did? he laughed. You stayed as long as possible?
Well, it seemed to me sobut I hadnt interests. Youll have themon a great scale. Its the country for interests, said Charlotte. If I had only had a few I doubtless wouldnt have left it.
He waited an instant; they were still on their feet. Yours then are rather here?
Oh, mine!the girl smiled. They take up little room, wherever they are.
It determined in him, the way this came from her and what it somehow did for her-it determined in him a speech that would have seemed a few minutes before precarious and in questionable taste. The lead she had given him made the difference, and he felt it as really a lift on finding an honest and natural word rise, by its license, to his lips. Nothing surely could be, for both of them, more in the note of a high bravery. Ive been thinking it all the while so probable, you know, that you would have seen your way to marrying.
She looked at him an instant, and, just for these seconds, he feared for what he might have spoiled. To marrying whom?
Why, some good, kind, clever, rich American.
Again his security hung in the balancethen she was, as he felt, admirable.
I tried everyone I came across. I did my best. I showed I had come, quite publicly, FOR that. Perhaps I showed it too much. At any rate it was no use. I had to recognise it. No one would have me. Then she seemed to show as sorry for his having to hear of her anything so disconcerting. She pitied his feeling about it; if he was disappointed she would cheer him up. Existence, you know, all the same, doesnt depend on that. I mean, she smiled, on having caught a husband.
Ohexistence! the Prince vaguely commented. You think I ought to argue for more than mere existence? she asked. I dont see why MY existenceeven reduced as much as you like to being merely mineshould be so impossible. There are things, of sorts, I should be able to havethings I should be able to be. The position of a single woman to-day is very favourable, you know.
Favourable to what?
Why, just TO existencewhich may contain, after all, in one way and another, so much. It may contain, at the worst, even affections; affections in fact quite particularly; fixed, that is, on ones friends. Im extremely fond of Maggie, for instanceI quite adore her. How could I adore her more if I were married to one of the people you speak of?
The Prince gave a laugh. You might adore HIM more!
Ah, but it isnt, is it? she asked, a question of that.
My dear friend, he returned, its always a question of doing the best for ones self one canwithout injury to others. He felt by this time that they were indeed on an excellent basis; so he went on again, as if to show frankly his sense of its firmness. I venture therefore to repeat my hope that youll marry some capital fellow; and also to repeat my belief that such a marriage will be more favourable to you, as you call it, than even the spirit of the age.
She looked at him at first only for answer, and would have appeared to take it with meekness had she not perhaps appeared a little more to take it with gaiety. Thank you very much, she simply said; but at that moment their friend was with them again. It was undeniable that, as she came in, Mrs. Assingham looked, with a certain smiling sharpness, from one of them to the other; the perception of which was perhaps what led Charlotte, for reassurance, to pass the question on. The Prince hopes so much I shall still marry some good person.
Whether it worked for Mrs. Assingham or not, the Prince was himself, at this, more than ever reassured. He was SAFE, in a wordthat was what it all meant; and he had required to be safe. He was really safe enough for almost any joke. Its only, he explained to their hostess, because of what Miss Stant has been telling me. Dont we want to keep up her courage? If the joke was broad he had at least not begun itnot, that is, AS a joke; which was what his companions address to their friend made of it. She has been trying in America, she says, but hasnt brought it off.
The tone was somehow not what Mrs. Assingham had expected, but she made the best of it. Well then, she replied to the young man, if you take such an interest you must bring it off.
And you must help, dear, Charlotte said unperturbedas youve helped, so beautifully, in such things before. With which, before Mrs. Assingham could meet the appeal, she had addressed herself to the Prince on a matter much nearer to him. YOUR marriage is on Friday?on Saturday?
Oh, on Friday, no! For what do you take us? Theres not a vulgar omen were neglecting. On Saturday, please, at the Oratory, at three oclockbefore twelve assistants exactly.
Twelve including ME?
It struck himhe laughed. Youll make the thirteenth. It wont do!
Not, said Charlotte, if youre going in for omens. Should you like me to stay away?
Dear nowell manage. Well make the round numberwell have in some old woman. They must keep them there for that, dont they?
Mrs. Assinghams return had at last indicated for him his departure; he had possessed himself again of his hat and approached her to take leave. But he had another word for Charlotte. I dine to-night with Mr. Verver. Have you any message?
The girl seemed to wonder a little. For Mr. Verver?
For Maggieabout her seeing you early. That, I know, is what shell like.
Then Ill come earlythanks.
I daresay, he went on, shell send for you. I mean send a carriage.
Oh, I dont require that, thanks. I can go, for a penny, cant I? she asked of Mrs. Assingham, in an omnibus.
Oh, I say! said the Prince while Mrs. Assingham looked at her blandly.
Yes, loveand Ill give you the penny. She shall get there, the good lady added to their friend.
But Charlotte, as the latter took leave of her, thought of something else. Theres a great favour, Prince, that I want to ask of you. I want, between this and Saturday, to make Maggie a marriage-present.
Oh, I say! the young man again soothingly exclaimed.
Ah, but I MUST, she went on. Its really almost for that I came back. It was impossible to get in America what I wanted.