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diff --git a/211-h/211-h.htm b/211-h/211-h.htm index d44bec5..b669982 100644 --- a/211-h/211-h.htm +++ b/211-h/211-h.htm @@ -1,18 +1,13 @@ -<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> - -<!DOCTYPE html - PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> <head> - <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" /> + <meta charset="utf-8"> <title> - The Aspern Papers, by Henry James + The Aspern Papers | Project Gutenberg </title> - <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + <style> - body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + body { margin:5%; text-align:justify} P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} @@ -28,76 +23,42 @@ .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; text-align: right;} - pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} - -</style> + </style> </head> <body> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Aspern Papers, by Henry James - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: The Aspern Papers - -Author: Henry James - -Release Date: June 29, 2008 [EBook #211] -Last Updated: September 18, 2016 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ASPERN PAPERS *** - - - - -Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger - - - - - -</pre> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 211 ***</div> <p> - <br /><br /> + <br ><br > </p> <h1> THE ASPERN PAPERS </h1> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <h2> By Henry James </h2> <p> - <br /><br /> + <br ><br > </p> <h4> - First American book edition, <br /> <br /> Macmillan and Co., 1888. + First American book edition, <br > <br > Macmillan and Co., 1888. </h4> <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> - <hr /> + <hr > <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> <blockquote> <p class="toc"> - <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + <span style="font-size: larger"><b>CONTENTS</b></span> </p> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <p class="toc"> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> I </a> @@ -128,11 +89,11 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger </p> </blockquote> <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> - <hr /> + <hr > <p> - <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <br > <br > <a id="link2H_4_0001"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <h2> @@ -143,11 +104,11 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger have made but little advance, for the fruitful idea in the whole business dropped from her friendly lips. It was she who invented the short cut, who severed the Gordian knot. It is not supposed to be the nature of women to - rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view—I mean + rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view—I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off - a bold conception—such as a man would not have risen to—with - singular serenity. “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a - lodger”—I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that. I + a bold conception—such as a man would not have risen to—with + singular serenity. “Simply ask them to take you in on the footing of a + lodger”—I don’t think that unaided I should have risen to that. I was beating about the bush, trying to be ingenious, wondering by what combination of arts I might become an acquaintance, when she offered this happy suggestion that the way to become an acquaintance was first to @@ -157,7 +118,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger ages before with one of the greatest names of the century, and they lived now in Venice in obscurity, on very small means, unvisited, unapproachable, in a dilapidated old palace on an out-of-the-way canal: - this was the substance of my friend’s impression of them. She herself had + this was the substance of my friend’s impression of them. She herself had been established in Venice for fifteen years and had done a great deal of good there; but the circle of her benevolence did not include the two shy, mysterious and, as it was somehow supposed, scarcely respectable Americans @@ -170,17 +131,17 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger of the two. She had heard Miss Bordereau was ill and had a suspicion that she was in want; and she had gone to the house to offer assistance, so that if there were suffering (and American suffering), she should at least - not have it on her conscience. The “little one” received her in the great - cold, tarnished Venetian sala, the central hall of the house, paved with - marble and roofed with dim crossbeams, and did not even ask her to sit - down. This was not encouraging for me, who wished to sit so fast, and I - remarked as much to Mrs. Prest. She however replied with profundity, “Ah, - but there’s all the difference: I went to confer a favor and you will go - to ask one. If they are proud you will be on the right side.” And she - offered to show me their house to begin with—to row me thither in - her gondola. I let her know that I had already been to look at it half a - dozen times; but I accepted her invitation, for it charmed me to hover - about the place. I had made my way to it the day after my arrival in + not have it on her conscience. The “little one” received her in the great + cold, tarnished Venetian <i lang="it">sala</i>, the central hall of the + house, paved with marble and roofed with dim crossbeams, and did not even + ask her to sit down. This was not encouraging for me, who wished to sit so + fast, and I remarked as much to Mrs. Prest. She however replied with + profundity, “Ah, but there’s all the difference: I went to confer a favor + and you will go to ask one. If they are proud you will be on the right + side.” And she offered to show me their house to begin with—to row me + thither in her gondola. I let her know that I had already been to look at + it half a dozen times; but I accepted her invitation, for it charmed me to + hover about the place. I had made my way to it the day after my arrival in Venice (it had been described to me in advance by the friend in England to whom I owed definite information as to their possession of the papers), and I had besieged it with my eyes while I considered my plan of campaign. @@ -194,26 +155,26 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger friends. As we went, however, in her gondola, gliding there under the sociable hood with the bright Venetian picture framed on either side by the movable window, I could see that she was amused by my infatuation, the - way my interest in the papers had become a fixed idea. “One would think - you expected to find in them the answer to the riddle of the universe,” + way my interest in the papers had become a fixed idea. “One would think + you expected to find in them the answer to the riddle of the universe,” she said; and I denied the impeachment only by replying that if I had to - choose between that precious solution and a bundle of Jeffrey Aspern’s + choose between that precious solution and a bundle of Jeffrey Aspern’s letters I knew indeed which would appear to me the greater boon. She pretended to make light of his genius, and I took no pains to defend him. - One doesn’t defend one’s god: one’s god is in himself a defense. Besides, + One doesn’t defend one’s god: one’s god is in himself a defense. Besides, today, after his long comparative obscuration, he hangs high in the heaven of our literature, for all the world to see; he is a part of the light by - which we walk. The most I said was that he was no doubt not a woman’s + which we walk. The most I said was that he was no doubt not a woman’s poet: to which she rejoined aptly enough that he had been at least Miss - Bordereau’s. The strange thing had been for me to discover in England that + Bordereau’s. The strange thing had been for me to discover in England that she was still alive: it was as if I had been told Mrs. Siddons was, or Queen Caroline, or the famous Lady Hamilton, for it seemed to me that she - belonged to a generation as extinct. “Why, she must be tremendously old—at - least a hundred,” I had said; but on coming to consider dates I saw that + belonged to a generation as extinct. “Why, she must be tremendously old—at + least a hundred,” I had said; but on coming to consider dates I saw that it was not strictly necessary that she should have exceeded by very much the common span. Nonetheless she was very far advanced in life, and her - relations with Jeffrey Aspern had occurred in her early womanhood. “That - is her excuse,” said Mrs. Prest, half-sententiously and yet also somewhat + relations with Jeffrey Aspern had occurred in her early womanhood. “That + is her excuse,” said Mrs. Prest, half-sententiously and yet also somewhat as if she were ashamed of making a speech so little in the real tone of Venice. As if a woman needed an excuse for having loved the divine poet! He had been not only one of the most brilliant minds of his day (and in @@ -232,10 +193,10 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger by opening lights into his life. He had nothing to fear from us because he had nothing to fear from the truth, which alone at such a distance of time we could be interested in establishing. His early death had been the only - dark spot in his life, unless the papers in Miss Bordereau’s hands should + dark spot in his life, unless the papers in Miss Bordereau’s hands should perversely bring out others. There had been an impression about 1825 that - he had “treated her badly,” just as there had been an impression that he - had “served,” as the London populace says, several other ladies in the + he had “treated her badly,” just as there had been an impression that he + had “served,” as the London populace says, several other ladies in the same way. Each of these cases Cumnor and I had been able to investigate, and we had never failed to acquit him conscientiously of shabby behavior. I judged him perhaps more indulgently than my friend; certainly, at any @@ -243,11 +204,11 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger given circumstances. These were almost always awkward. Half the women of his time, to speak liberally, had flung themselves at his head, and out of this pernicious fashion many complications, some of them grave, had not - failed to arise. He was not a woman’s poet, as I had said to Mrs. Prest, + failed to arise. He was not a woman’s poet, as I had said to Mrs. Prest, in the modern phase of his reputation; but the situation had been - different when the man’s own voice was mingled with his song. That voice, - by every testimony, was one of the sweetest ever heard. “Orpheus and the - Maenads!” was the exclamation that rose to my lips when I first turned + different when the man’s own voice was mingled with his song. That voice, + by every testimony, was one of the sweetest ever heard. “Orpheus and the + Maenads!” was the exclamation that rose to my lips when I first turned over his correspondence. Almost all the Maenads were unreasonable, and many of them insupportable; it struck me in short that he was kinder, more considerate than, in his place (if I could imagine myself in such a @@ -258,7 +219,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger space with attempting to explain it, that whereas in all these other lines of research we had to deal with phantoms and dust, the mere echoes of echoes, the one living source of information that had lingered on into our - time had been unheeded by us. Every one of Aspern’s contemporaries had, + time had been unheeded by us. Every one of Aspern’s contemporaries had, according to our belief, passed away; we had not been able to look into a single pair of eyes into which his had looked or to feel a transmitted contact in any aged hand that his had touched. Most dead of all did poor @@ -267,139 +228,139 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger substance of our explanation was that she had kept so quiet. The poor lady on the whole had had reason for doing so. But it was a revelation to us that it was possible to keep so quiet as that in the latter half of the - nineteenth century—the age of newspapers and telegrams and + nineteenth century—the age of newspapers and telegrams and photographs and interviewers. And she had taken no great trouble about it either: she had not hidden herself away in an undiscoverable hole; she had boldly settled down in a city of exhibition. The only secret of her safety that we could perceive was that Venice contained so many curiosities that were greater than she. And then accident had somehow favored her, as was shown for example in the fact that Mrs. Prest had never happened to - mention her to me, though I had spent three weeks in Venice—under - her nose, as it were—five years before. Mrs. Prest had not mentioned + mention her to me, though I had spent three weeks in Venice—under + her nose, as it were—five years before. Mrs. Prest had not mentioned this much to anyone; she appeared almost to have forgotten she was there. Of course she had not the responsibilities of an editor. It was no - explanation of the old woman’s having eluded us to say that she lived + explanation of the old woman’s having eluded us to say that she lived abroad, for our researches had again and again taken us (not only by correspondence but by personal inquiry) to France, to Germany, to Italy, in which countries, not counting his important stay in England, so many of - the too few years of Aspern’s career were spent. We were glad to think at + the too few years of Aspern’s career were spent. We were glad to think at least that in all our publishings (some people consider I believe that we have overdone them), we had only touched in passing and in the most - discreet manner on Miss Bordereau’s connection. Oddly enough, even if we + discreet manner on Miss Bordereau’s connection. Oddly enough, even if we had had the material (and we often wondered what had become of it), it would have been the most difficult episode to handle. </p> <p> The gondola stopped, the old palace was there; it was a house of the class which in Venice carries even in extreme dilapidation the dignified name. - “How charming! It’s gray and pink!” my companion exclaimed; and that is + “How charming! It’s gray and pink!” my companion exclaimed; and that is the most comprehensive description of it. It was not particularly old, only two or three centuries; and it had an air not so much of decay as of quiet discouragement, as if it had rather missed its career. But its wide - front, with a stone balcony from end to end of the piano nobile or most - important floor, was architectural enough, with the aid of various - pilasters and arches; and the stucco with which in the intervals it had - long ago been endued was rosy in the April afternoon. It overlooked a - clean, melancholy, unfrequented canal, which had a narrow riva or - convenient footway on either side. “I don’t know why—there are no - brick gables,” said Mrs. Prest, “but this corner has seemed to me before - more Dutch than Italian, more like Amsterdam than like Venice. It’s - perversely clean, for reasons of its own; and though you can pass on foot - scarcely anyone ever thinks of doing so. It has the air of a Protestant - Sunday. Perhaps the people are afraid of the Misses Bordereau. I daresay - they have the reputation of witches.” - </p> - <p> - I forget what answer I made to this—I was given up to two other + front, with a stone balcony from end to end of the <i lang="it">piano + nobile</i> or most important floor, was architectural enough, with the aid + of various pilasters and arches; and the stucco with which in the + intervals it had long ago been endued was rosy in the April afternoon. It + overlooked a clean, melancholy, unfrequented canal, which had a narrow + <i lang="it">riva</i> or convenient footway on either side. “I don’t know + why—there are no brick gables,” said Mrs. Prest, “but this corner has + seemed to me before more Dutch than Italian, more like Amsterdam than like + Venice. It’s perversely clean, for reasons of its own; and though you can + pass on foot scarcely anyone ever thinks of doing so. It has the air of a + Protestant Sunday. Perhaps the people are afraid of the Misses Bordereau. + I daresay they have the reputation of witches.” + </p> + <p> + I forget what answer I made to this—I was given up to two other reflections. The first of these was that if the old lady lived in such a big, imposing house she could not be in any sort of misery and therefore would not be tempted by a chance to let a couple of rooms. I expressed - this idea to Mrs. Prest, who gave me a very logical reply. “If she didn’t + this idea to Mrs. Prest, who gave me a very logical reply. “If she didn’t live in a big house how could it be a question of her having rooms to spare? If she were not amply lodged herself you would lack ground to - approach her. Besides, a big house here, and especially in this quartier - perdu, proves nothing at all: it is perfectly compatible with a state of - penury. Dilapidated old palazzi, if you will go out of the way for them, - are to be had for five shillings a year. And as for the people who live in - them—no, until you have explored Venice socially as much as I have - you can form no idea of their domestic desolation. They live on nothing, - for they have nothing to live on.” The other idea that had come into my - head was connected with a high blank wall which appeared to confine an - expanse of ground on one side of the house. Blank I call it, but it was - figured over with the patches that please a painter, repaired breaches, - crumblings of plaster, extrusions of brick that had turned pink with time; - and a few thin trees, with the poles of certain rickety trellises, were - visible over the top. The place was a garden, and apparently it belonged - to the house. It suddenly occurred to me that if it did belong to the - house I had my pretext. + approach her. Besides, a big house here, and especially in this + <i lang="fr">quartier perdu</i>, proves nothing at all: it is perfectly + compatible with a state of penury. Dilapidated old palazzi, if you will go + out of the way for them, are to be had for five shillings a year. And as + for the people who live in them—no, until you have explored Venice + socially as much as I have you can form no idea of their domestic + desolation. They live on nothing, for they have nothing to live on.” The + other idea that had come into my head was connected with a high blank wall + which appeared to confine an expanse of ground on one side of the house. + Blank I call it, but it was figured over with the patches that please a + painter, repaired breaches, crumblings of plaster, extrusions of brick + that had turned pink with time; and a few thin trees, with the poles of + certain rickety trellises, were visible over the top. The place was a + garden, and apparently it belonged to the house. It suddenly occurred to + me that if it did belong to the house I had my pretext. </p> <p> I sat looking out on all this with Mrs. Prest (it was covered with the - golden glow of Venice) from the shade of our felze, and she asked me if I - would go in then, while she waited for me, or come back another time. At - first I could not decide—it was doubtless very weak of me. I wanted - still to think I MIGHT get a footing, and I was afraid to meet failure, - for it would leave me, as I remarked to my companion, without another - arrow for my bow. “Why not another?” she inquired as I sat there - hesitating and thinking it over; and she wished to know why even now and - before taking the trouble of becoming an inmate (which might be wretchedly - uncomfortable after all, even if it succeeded), I had not the resource of - simply offering them a sum of money down. In that way I might obtain the - documents without bad nights. - </p> - <p> - “Dearest lady,” I exclaimed, “excuse the impatience of my tone when I + golden glow of Venice) from the shade of our <i lang="it">felze</i>, and + she asked me if I would go in then, while she waited for me, or come back + another time. At first I could not decide—it was doubtless very weak of + me. I wanted still to think I <em>might</em> get a footing, and I was + afraid to meet failure, for it would leave me, as I remarked to my + companion, without another arrow for my bow. “Why not another?” she + inquired as I sat there hesitating and thinking it over; and she wished to + know why even now and before taking the trouble of becoming an inmate + (which might be wretchedly uncomfortable after all, even if it succeeded), + I had not the resource of simply offering them a sum of money down. In + that way I might obtain the documents without bad nights. + </p> + <p> + “Dearest lady,” I exclaimed, “excuse the impatience of my tone when I suggest that you must have forgotten the very fact (surely I communicated it to you) which pushed me to throw myself upon your ingenuity. The old - woman won’t have the documents spoken of; they are personal, delicate, - intimate, and she hasn’t modern notions, God bless her! If I should sound + woman won’t have the documents spoken of; they are personal, delicate, + intimate, and she hasn’t modern notions, God bless her! If I should sound that note first I should certainly spoil the game. I can arrive at the papers only by putting her off her guard, and I can put her off her guard only by ingratiating diplomatic practices. Hypocrisy, duplicity are my - only chance. I am sorry for it, but for Jeffrey Aspern’s sake I would do - worse still. First I must take tea with her; then tackle the main job.” + only chance. I am sorry for it, but for Jeffrey Aspern’s sake I would do + worse still. First I must take tea with her; then tackle the main job.” And I told over what had happened to John Cumnor when he wrote to her. No notice whatever had been taken of his first letter, and the second had - been answered very sharply, in six lines, by the niece. “Miss Bordereau + been answered very sharply, in six lines, by the niece. “Miss Bordereau requested her to say that she could not imagine what he meant by troubling - them. They had none of Mr. Aspern’s papers, and if they had should never - think of showing them to anyone on any account whatever. She didn’t know - what he was talking about and begged he would let her alone.” I certainly + them. They had none of Mr. Aspern’s papers, and if they had should never + think of showing them to anyone on any account whatever. She didn’t know + what he was talking about and begged he would let her alone.” I certainly did not want to be met that way. </p> <p> - “Well,” said Mrs. Prest after a moment, provokingly, “perhaps after all - they haven’t any of his things. If they deny it flat how are you sure?” + “Well,” said Mrs. Prest after a moment, provokingly, “perhaps after all + they haven’t any of his things. If they deny it flat how are you sure?” </p> <p> - “John Cumnor is sure, and it would take me long to tell you how his - conviction, or his very strong presumption—strong enough to stand - against the old lady’s not unnatural fib—has built itself up. - Besides, he makes much of the internal evidence of the niece’s letter.” + “John Cumnor is sure, and it would take me long to tell you how his + conviction, or his very strong presumption—strong enough to stand + against the old lady’s not unnatural fib—has built itself up. + Besides, he makes much of the internal evidence of the niece’s letter.” </p> <p> - “The internal evidence?” + “The internal evidence?” </p> <p> - “Her calling him ‘Mr. Aspern.’” + “Her calling him ‘Mr. Aspern.’” </p> <p> - “I don’t see what that proves.” + “I don’t see what that proves.” </p> <p> - “It proves familiarity, and familiarity implies the possession of - mementoes, or relics. I can’t tell you how that ‘Mr.’ touches me—how - it bridges over the gulf of time and brings our hero near to me—nor - what an edge it gives to my desire to see Juliana. You don’t say, ‘Mr.’ - Shakespeare.” + “It proves familiarity, and familiarity implies the possession of + mementoes, or relics. I can’t tell you how that ‘Mr.’ touches me—how + it bridges over the gulf of time and brings our hero near to me—nor + what an edge it gives to my desire to see Juliana. You don’t say, ‘Mr.’ + Shakespeare.” </p> <p> - “Would I, any more, if I had a box full of his letters?” + “Would I, any more, if I had a box full of his letters?” </p> <p> - “Yes, if he had been your lover and someone wanted them!” And I added that + “Yes, if he had been your lover and someone wanted them!” And I added that John Cumnor was so convinced, and so all the more convinced by Miss - Bordereau’s tone, that he would have come himself to Venice on the + Bordereau’s tone, that he would have come himself to Venice on the business were it not that for him there was the obstacle that it would be difficult to disprove his identity with the person who had written to them, which the old ladies would be sure to suspect in spite of @@ -409,74 +370,75 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger could say no without lying. </p> <p> - “But you will have to change your name,” said Mrs. Prest. “Juliana lives + “But you will have to change your name,” said Mrs. Prest. “Juliana lives out of the world as much as it is possible to live, but none the less she - has probably heard of Mr. Aspern’s editors; she perhaps possesses what you - have published.” + has probably heard of Mr. Aspern’s editors; she perhaps possesses what you + have published.” </p> <p> - “I have thought of that,” I returned; and I drew out of my pocketbook a + “I have thought of that,” I returned; and I drew out of my pocketbook a visiting card, neatly engraved with a name that was not my own. </p> <p> - “You are very extravagant; you might have written it,” said my companion. + “You are very extravagant; you might have written it,” said my companion. </p> <p> - “This looks more genuine.” + “This looks more genuine.” </p> <p> - “Certainly, you are prepared to go far! But it will be awkward about your - letters; they won’t come to you in that mask.” + “Certainly, you are prepared to go far! But it will be awkward about your + letters; they won’t come to you in that mask.” </p> <p> - “My banker will take them in, and I will go every day to fetch them. It - will give me a little walk.” + “My banker will take them in, and I will go every day to fetch them. It + will give me a little walk.” </p> <p> - “Shall you only depend upon that?” asked Mrs. Prest. “Aren’t you coming to - see me?” + “Shall you only depend upon that?” asked Mrs. Prest. “Aren’t you coming to + see me?” </p> <p> - “Oh, you will have left Venice, for the hot months, long before there are - any results. I am prepared to roast all summer—as well as hereafter, - perhaps you’ll say! Meanwhile, John Cumnor will bombard me with letters - addressed, in my feigned name, to the care of the padrona.” + “Oh, you will have left Venice, for the hot months, long before there are + any results. I am prepared to roast all summer—as well as hereafter, + perhaps you’ll say! Meanwhile, John Cumnor will bombard me with letters + addressed, in my feigned name, to the care of the + <i lang="it">padrona</i>.” </p> <p> - “She will recognize his hand,” my companion suggested. + “She will recognize his hand,” my companion suggested. </p> <p> - “On the envelope he can disguise it.” + “On the envelope he can disguise it.” </p> <p> - “Well, you’re a precious pair! Doesn’t it occur to you that even if you + “Well, you’re a precious pair! Doesn’t it occur to you that even if you are able to say you are not Mr. Cumnor in person they may still suspect - you of being his emissary?” + you of being his emissary?” </p> <p> - “Certainly, and I see only one way to parry that.” + “Certainly, and I see only one way to parry that.” </p> <p> - “And what may that be?” + “And what may that be?” </p> <p> - I hesitated a moment. “To make love to the niece.” + I hesitated a moment. “To make love to the niece.” </p> <p> - “Ah,” cried Mrs. Prest, “wait till you see her!” + “Ah,” cried Mrs. Prest, “wait till you see her!” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <a id="link2H_4_0002"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> II </h2> <p> - “I must work the garden—I must work the garden,” I said to myself, + “I must work the garden—I must work the garden,” I said to myself, five minutes later, as I waited, upstairs, in the long, dusky sala, where the bare scagliola floor gleamed vaguely in a chink of the closed shutters. The place was impressive but it looked cold and cautious. Mrs. @@ -494,21 +456,21 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger held it up to her, smiling as if it were a magic token. It had the effect of one indeed, for it brought her, as I say, all the way down. I begged her to hand it to her mistress, having first written on it in Italian the - words, “Could you very kindly see a gentleman, an American, for a moment?” + words, “Could you very kindly see a gentleman, an American, for a moment?” The little maid was not hostile, and I reflected that even that was perhaps something gained. She colored, she smiled and looked both frightened and pleased. I could see that my arrival was a great affair, that visits were rare in that house, and that she was a person who would have liked a sociable place. When she pushed forward the heavy door behind me I felt that I had a foot in the citadel. She pattered across the damp, - stony lower hall and I followed her up the high staircase—stonier - still, as it seemed—without an invitation. I think she had meant I + stony lower hall and I followed her up the high staircase—stonier + still, as it seemed—without an invitation. I think she had meant I should wait for her below, but such was not my idea, and I took up my station in the sala. She flitted, at the far end of it, into impenetrable regions, and I looked at the place with my heart beating as I had known it - to do in the dentist’s parlor. It was gloomy and stately, but it owed its + to do in the dentist’s parlor. It was gloomy and stately, but it owed its character almost entirely to its noble shape and to the fine architectural - doors—as high as the doors of houses—which, leading into the + doors—as high as the doors of houses—which, leading into the various rooms, repeated themselves on either side at intervals. They were surmounted with old faded painted escutcheons, and here and there, in the spaces between them, brown pictures, which I perceived to be bad, in @@ -524,137 +486,137 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger soil of the tangled enclosure which lay beneath the windows, but the lady who came toward me from the distance over the hard, shining floor might have supposed as much from the way in which, as I went rapidly to meet - her, I exclaimed, taking care to speak Italian: “The garden, the garden—do - me the pleasure to tell me if it’s yours!” + her, I exclaimed, taking care to speak Italian: “The garden, the garden—do + me the pleasure to tell me if it’s yours!” </p> <p> - She stopped short, looking at me with wonder; and then, “Nothing here is - mine,” she answered in English, coldly and sadly. + She stopped short, looking at me with wonder; and then, “Nothing here is + mine,” she answered in English, coldly and sadly. </p> <p> - “Oh, you are English; how delightful!” I remarked, ingenuously. “But - surely the garden belongs to the house?” + “Oh, you are English; how delightful!” I remarked, ingenuously. “But + surely the garden belongs to the house?” </p> <p> - “Yes, but the house doesn’t belong to me.” She was a long, lean, pale + “Yes, but the house doesn’t belong to me.” She was a long, lean, pale person, habited apparently in a dull-colored dressing gown, and she spoke with a kind of mild literalness. She did not ask me to sit down, any more than years before (if she were the niece) she had asked Mrs. Prest, and we stood face to face in the empty pompous hall. </p> <p> - “Well then, would you kindly tell me to whom I must address myself? I’m - afraid you’ll think me odiously intrusive, but you know I MUST have a - garden—upon my honor I must!” + “Well then, would you kindly tell me to whom I must address myself? I’m + afraid you’ll think me odiously intrusive, but you know I <em>must</em> + have a garden—upon my honor I must!” </p> <p> Her face was not young, but it was simple; it was not fresh, but it was mild. She had large eyes which were not bright, and a great deal of hair - which was not “dressed,” and long fine hands which were—possibly—not + which was not “dressed,” and long fine hands which were—possibly—not clean. She clasped these members almost convulsively as, with a confused, - alarmed look, she broke out, “Oh, don’t take it away from us; we like it - ourselves!” + alarmed look, she broke out, “Oh, don’t take it away from us; we like it + ourselves!” </p> <p> - “You have the use of it then?” + “You have the use of it then?” </p> <p> - “Oh, yes. If it wasn’t for that!” And she gave a shy, melancholy smile. + “Oh, yes. If it wasn’t for that!” And she gave a shy, melancholy smile. </p> <p> - “Isn’t it a luxury, precisely? That’s why, intending to be in Venice some + “Isn’t it a luxury, precisely? That’s why, intending to be in Venice some weeks, possibly all summer, and having some literary work, some reading and writing to do, so that I must be quiet, and yet if possible a great - deal in the open air—that’s why I have felt that a garden is really - indispensable. I appeal to your own experience,” I went on, smiling. “Now - can’t I look at yours?” + deal in the open air—that’s why I have felt that a garden is really + indispensable. I appeal to your own experience,” I went on, smiling. “Now + can’t I look at yours?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know, I don’t understand,” the poor woman murmured, planted there + “I don’t know, I don’t understand,” the poor woman murmured, planted there and letting her embarrassed eyes wander all over my strangeness. </p> <p> - “I mean only from one of those windows—such grand ones as you have - here—if you will let me open the shutters.” And I walked toward the + “I mean only from one of those windows—such grand ones as you have + here—if you will let me open the shutters.” And I walked toward the back of the house. When I had advanced halfway I stopped and waited, as if I took it for granted she would accompany me. I had been of necessity very abrupt, but I strove at the same time to give her the impression of - extreme courtesy. “I have been looking at furnished rooms all over the + extreme courtesy. “I have been looking at furnished rooms all over the place, and it seems impossible to find any with a garden attached. - Naturally in a place like Venice gardens are rare. It’s absurd if you - like, for a man, but I can’t live without flowers.” + Naturally in a place like Venice gardens are rare. It’s absurd if you + like, for a man, but I can’t live without flowers.” </p> <p> - “There are none to speak of down there.” She came nearer to me, as if, + “There are none to speak of down there.” She came nearer to me, as if, though she mistrusted me, I had drawn her by an invisible thread. I went - on again, and she continued as she followed me: “We have a few, but they + on again, and she continued as she followed me: “We have a few, but they are very common. It costs too much to cultivate them; one has to have a - man.” + man.” </p> <p> - “Why shouldn’t I be the man?” I asked. “I’ll work without wages; or rather - I’ll put in a gardener. You shall have the sweetest flowers in Venice.” + “Why shouldn’t I be the man?” I asked. “I’ll work without wages; or rather + I’ll put in a gardener. You shall have the sweetest flowers in Venice.” </p> <p> She protested at this, with a queer little sigh which might also have been - a gush of rapture at the picture I presented. Then she observed, “We don’t - know you—we don’t know you.” + a gush of rapture at the picture I presented. Then she observed, “We don’t + know you—we don’t know you.” </p> <p> - “You know me as much as I know you: that is much more, because you know my - name. And if you are English I am almost a countryman.” + “You know me as much as I know you: that is much more, because you know my + name. And if you are English I am almost a countryman.” </p> <p> - “We are not English,” said my companion, watching me helplessly while I + “We are not English,” said my companion, watching me helplessly while I threw open the shutters of one of the divisions of the wide high window. </p> <p> - “You speak the language so beautifully: might I ask what you are?” Seen + “You speak the language so beautifully: might I ask what you are?” Seen from above the garden was certainly shabby; but I perceived at a glance that it had great capabilities. She made no rejoinder, she was so lost in - staring at me, and I exclaimed, “You don’t mean to say you are also by - chance American?” + staring at me, and I exclaimed, “You don’t mean to say you are also by + chance American?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know; we used to be.” + “I don’t know; we used to be.” </p> <p> - “Used to be? Surely you haven’t changed?” + “Used to be? Surely you haven’t changed?” </p> <p> - “It’s so many years ago—we are nothing.” + “It’s so many years ago—we are nothing.” </p> <p> - “So many years that you have been living here? Well, I don’t wonder at - that; it’s a grand old house. I suppose you all use the garden,” I went - on, “but I assure you I shouldn’t be in your way. I would be very quiet - and stay in one corner.” + “So many years that you have been living here? Well, I don’t wonder at + that; it’s a grand old house. I suppose you all use the garden,” I went + on, “but I assure you I shouldn’t be in your way. I would be very quiet + and stay in one corner.” </p> <p> - “We all use it?” she repeated after me, vaguely, not coming close to the + “We all use it?” she repeated after me, vaguely, not coming close to the window but looking at my shoes. She appeared to think me capable of throwing her out. </p> <p> - “I mean all your family, as many as you are.” + “I mean all your family, as many as you are.” </p> <p> - “There is only one other; she is very old—she never goes down.” + “There is only one other; she is very old—she never goes down.” </p> <p> - “Only one other, in all this great house!” I feigned to be not only amazed - but almost scandalized. “Dear lady, you must have space then to spare!” + “Only one other, in all this great house!” I feigned to be not only amazed + but almost scandalized. “Dear lady, you must have space then to spare!” </p> <p> - “To spare?” she repeated, in the same dazed way. + “To spare?” she repeated, in the same dazed way. </p> <p> - “Why, you surely don’t live (two quiet women—I see YOU are quiet, at - any rate) in fifty rooms!” Then with a burst of hope and cheer I demanded: - “Couldn’t you let me two or three? That would set me up!” + “Why, you surely don’t live (two quiet women—I see <em>you</em> are quiet, + at any rate) in fifty rooms!” Then with a burst of hope and cheer I + demanded: “Couldn’t you let me two or three? That would set me up!” </p> <p> - I had not struck the note that translated my purpose, and I need not + I had now struck the note that translated my purpose, and I need not reproduce the whole of the tune I played. I ended by making my interlocutress believe that I was an honorable person, though of course I did not even attempt to persuade her that I was not an eccentric one. I @@ -666,7 +628,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger tremulous spinster proved somewhat incongruously to be) had an insatiable appetite for them. When I speak of my suit as won I mean that before I left her she had promised that she would refer the question to her aunt. I - inquired who her aunt might be and she answered, “Why, Miss Bordereau!” + inquired who her aunt might be and she answered, “Why, Miss Bordereau!” with an air of surprise, as if I might have been expected to know. There were contradictions like this in Tita Bordereau which, as I observed later, contributed to make her an odd and affecting person. It was the @@ -677,24 +639,24 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger come to live in the house. </p> <p> - “We have never done anything of the sort; we have never had a lodger or - any kind of inmate.” So much as this she made a point of saying to me. “We - are very poor, we live very badly. The rooms are very bare—that you - might take; they have nothing in them. I don’t know how you would sleep, - how you would eat.” + “We have never done anything of the sort; we have never had a lodger or + any kind of inmate.” So much as this she made a point of saying to me. “We + are very poor, we live very badly. The rooms are very bare—that you + might take; they have nothing in them. I don’t know how you would sleep, + how you would eat.” </p> <p> - “With your permission, I could easily put in a bed and a few tables and - chairs. C’est la moindre des choses and the affair of an hour or two. I - know a little man from whom I can hire what I should want for a few - months, for a trifle, and my gondolier can bring the things round in his - boat. Of course in this great house you must have a second kitchen, and my - servant, who is a wonderfully handy fellow” (this personage was an - evocation of the moment), “can easily cook me a chop there. My tastes and - habits are of the simplest; I live on flowers!” And then I ventured to add - that if they were very poor it was all the more reason they should let - their rooms. They were bad economists—I had never heard of such a - waste of material. + “With your permission, I could easily put in a bed and a few tables and + chairs. <i lang="fr">C’est la moindre des choses</i> and the affair of an + hour or two. I know a little man from whom I can hire what I should want + for a few months, for a trifle, and my gondolier can bring the things + round in his boat. Of course in this great house you must have a second + kitchen, and my servant, who is a wonderfully handy fellow” (this + personage was an evocation of the moment), “can easily cook me a chop + there. My tastes and habits are of the simplest; I live on flowers!” And + then I ventured to add that if they were very poor it was all the more + reason they should let their rooms. They were bad economists—I had never + heard of such a waste of material. </p> <p> I saw in a moment that the good lady had never before been spoken to in @@ -705,16 +667,16 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger with her aunt and that I might come back the next day for their decision. </p> <p> - “The aunt will refuse; she will think the whole proceeding very louche!” + “The aunt will refuse; she will think the whole proceeding very louche!” Mrs. Prest declared shortly after this, when I had resumed my place in her gondola. She had put the idea into my head and now (so little are women to be counted on) she appeared to take a despondent view of it. Her pessimism provoked me and I pretended to have the best hopes; I went so far as to say that I had a distinct presentiment that I should succeed. Upon this - Mrs. Prest broke out, “Oh, I see what’s in your head! You fancy you have + Mrs. Prest broke out, “Oh, I see what’s in your head! You fancy you have made such an impression in a quarter of an hour that she is dying for you to come and can be depended upon to bring the old one round. If you do get - in you’ll count it as a triumph.” + in you’ll count it as a triumph.” </p> <p> I did count it as a triumph, but only for the editor (in the last @@ -727,7 +689,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger and a strange figure sitting alone at one of the windows. They come back to me now almost with the palpitation they caused, the successive feelings that accompanied my consciousness that as the door of the room closed - behind me I was really face to face with the Juliana of some of Aspern’s + behind me I was really face to face with the Juliana of some of Aspern’s most exquisite and most renowned lyrics. I grew used to her afterward, though never completely; but as she sat there before me my heart beat as fast as if the miracle of resurrection had taken place for my benefit. Her @@ -743,43 +705,43 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger green shade which, for her, served almost as a mask. I believed for the instant that she had put it on expressly, so that from underneath it she might scrutinize me without being scrutinized herself. At the same time it - increased the presumption that there was a ghastly death’s-head lurking - behind it. The divine Juliana as a grinning skull—the vision hung - there until it passed. Then it came to me that she WAS tremendously old—so - old that death might take her at any moment, before I had time to get what - I wanted from her. The next thought was a correction to that; it lighted - up the situation. She would die next week, she would die tomorrow—then - I could seize her papers. Meanwhile she sat there neither moving nor - speaking. She was very small and shrunken, bent forward, with her hands in - her lap. She was dressed in black, and her head was wrapped in a piece of - old black lace which showed no hair. + increased the presumption that there was a ghastly death’s-head lurking + behind it. The divine Juliana as a grinning skull—the vision hung + there until it passed. Then it came to me that she <em>was</em> + tremendously old—so old that death might take her at any moment, before I + had time to get what I wanted from her. The next thought was a correction + to that; it lighted up the situation. She would die next week, she would + die tomorrow—then I could seize her papers. Meanwhile she sat there + neither moving nor speaking. She was very small and shrunken, bent + forward, with her hands in her lap. She was dressed in black, and her head + was wrapped in a piece of old black lace which showed no hair. </p> <p> My emotion keeping me silent she spoke first, and the remark she made was exactly the most unexpected. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <a id="link2H_4_0003"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> III </h2> <p> - “Our house is very far from the center, but the little canal is very comme - il faut.” + “Our house is very far from the center, but the little canal is very + <i lang="fr">comme il faut</i>.” </p> <p> - “It’s the sweetest corner of Venice and I can imagine nothing more - charming,” I hastened to reply. The old lady’s voice was very thin and + “It’s the sweetest corner of Venice and I can imagine nothing more + charming,” I hastened to reply. The old lady’s voice was very thin and weak, but it had an agreeable, cultivated murmur, and there was wonder in - the thought that that individual note had been in Jeffrey Aspern’s ear. + the thought that that individual note had been in Jeffrey Aspern’s ear. </p> <p> - “Please to sit down there. I hear very well,” she said quietly, as if + “Please to sit down there. I hear very well,” she said quietly, as if perhaps I had been shouting at her; and the chair she pointed to was at a certain distance. I took possession of it, telling her that I was perfectly aware that I had intruded, that I had not been properly @@ -805,31 +767,31 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger bleached and shriveled face. Independently of the refining process of old age it had a delicacy which once must have been great. She had been very fair, she had had a wonderful complexion. She was silent a little after I - had ceased speaking; then she inquired, “If you are so fond of a garden - why don’t you go to terra firma, where there are so many far better than - this?” + had ceased speaking; then she inquired, “If you are so fond of a garden + why don’t you go to <i lang="la">terra firma</i>, where there are so many + far better than this?” </p> <p> - “Oh, it’s the combination!” I answered, smiling; and then, with rather a - flight of fancy, “It’s the idea of a garden in the middle of the sea.” + “Oh, it’s the combination!” I answered, smiling; and then, with rather a + flight of fancy, “It’s the idea of a garden in the middle of the sea.” </p> <p> - “It’s not in the middle of the sea; you can’t see the water.” + “It’s not in the middle of the sea; you can’t see the water.” </p> <p> I stared a moment, wondering whether she wished to convict me of fraud. - “Can’t see the water? Why, dear madam, I can come up to the very gate in - my boat.” + “Can’t see the water? Why, dear madam, I can come up to the very gate in + my boat.” </p> <p> - She appeared inconsequent, for she said vaguely in reply to this, “Yes, if - you have got a boat. I haven’t any; it’s many years since I have been in - one of the gondolas.” She uttered these words as if the gondolas were a + She appeared inconsequent, for she said vaguely in reply to this, “Yes, if + you have got a boat. I haven’t any; it’s many years since I have been in + one of the gondolas.” She uttered these words as if the gondolas were a curious faraway craft which she knew only by hearsay. </p> <p> - “Let me assure you of the pleasure with which I would put mine at your - service!” I exclaimed. I had scarcely said this, however, before I became + “Let me assure you of the pleasure with which I would put mine at your + service!” I exclaimed. I had scarcely said this, however, before I became aware that the speech was in questionable taste and might also do me the injury of making me appear too eager, too possessed of a hidden motive. But the old woman remained impenetrable and her attitude bothered me by @@ -841,21 +803,21 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger why she had judged this necessary and what was coming yet; also whether I might venture on some judicious remark in praise of her companion. I went so far as to say that I should be delighted to see her again: she had been - so very courteous to me, considering how odd she must have thought me—a + so very courteous to me, considering how odd she must have thought me—a declaration which drew from Miss Bordereau another of her whimsical speeches. </p> <p> - “She has very good manners; I bred her up myself!” I was on the point of + “She has very good manners; I bred her up myself!” I was on the point of saying that that accounted for the easy grace of the niece, but I arrested - myself in time, and the next moment the old woman went on: “I don’t care - who you may be—I don’t want to know; it signifies very little - today.” This had all the air of being a formula of dismissal, as if her + myself in time, and the next moment the old woman went on: “I don’t care + who you may be—I don’t want to know; it signifies very little + today.” This had all the air of being a formula of dismissal, as if her next words would be that I might take myself off now that she had had the amusement of looking on the face of such a monster of indiscretion. Therefore I was all the more surprised when she added, with her soft, - venerable quaver, “You may have as many rooms as you like—if you - will pay a good deal of money.” + venerable quaver, “You may have as many rooms as you like—if you + will pay a good deal of money.” </p> <p> I hesitated but for a single instant, long enough to ask myself what she @@ -863,11 +825,11 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger have really a large sum in her mind; then I reasoned quickly that her idea of a large sum would probably not correspond to my own. My deliberation, I think, was not so visible as to diminish the promptitude with which I - replied, “I will pay with pleasure and of course in advance whatever you - may think is proper to ask me.” + replied, “I will pay with pleasure and of course in advance whatever you + may think is proper to ask me.” </p> <p> - “Well then, a thousand francs a month,” she rejoined instantly, while her + “Well then, a thousand francs a month,” she rejoined instantly, while her baffling green shade continued to cover her attitude. </p> <p> @@ -880,114 +842,114 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger that case I would give myself the compensation of extracting the papers from her for nothing. Moreover if she had asked five times as much I should have risen to the occasion; so odious would it have appeared to me - to stand chaffering with Aspern’s Juliana. It was queer enough to have a + to stand chaffering with Aspern’s Juliana. It was queer enough to have a question of money with her at all. I assured her that her views perfectly met my own and that on the morrow I should have the pleasure of putting - three months’ rent into her hand. She received this announcement with + three months’ rent into her hand. She received this announcement with serenity and with no apparent sense that after all it would be becoming of her to say that I ought to see the rooms first. This did not occur to her and indeed her serenity was mainly what I wanted. Our little bargain was just concluded when the door opened and the younger lady appeared on the threshold. As soon as Miss Bordereau saw her niece she cried out almost - gaily, “He will give three thousand—three thousand tomorrow!” + gaily, “He will give three thousand—three thousand tomorrow!” </p> <p> Miss Tita stood still, with her patient eyes turning from one of us to the - other; then she inquired, scarcely above her breath, “Do you mean francs?” + other; then she inquired, scarcely above her breath, “Do you mean francs?” </p> <p> - “Did you mean francs or dollars?” the old woman asked of me at this. + “Did you mean francs or dollars?” the old woman asked of me at this. </p> <p> - “I think francs were what you said,” I answered, smiling. + “I think francs were what you said,” I answered, smiling. </p> <p> - “That is very good,” said Miss Tita, as if she had become conscious that + “That is very good,” said Miss Tita, as if she had become conscious that her own question might have looked overreaching. </p> <p> - “What do YOU know? You are ignorant,” Miss Bordereau remarked; not with - acerbity but with a strange, soft coldness. + “What do <em>you</em> know? You are ignorant,” Miss Bordereau remarked; + not with acerbity but with a strange, soft coldness. </p> <p> - “Yes, of money—certainly of money!” Miss Tita hastened to exclaim. + “Yes, of money—certainly of money!” Miss Tita hastened to exclaim. </p> <p> - “I am sure you have your own branches of knowledge,” I took the liberty of + “I am sure you have your own branches of knowledge,” I took the liberty of saying, genially. There was something painful to me, somehow, in the turn the conversation had taken, in the discussion of the rent. </p> <p> - “She had a very good education when she was young. I looked into that - myself,” said Miss Bordereau. Then she added, “But she has learned nothing - since.” + “She had a very good education when she was young. I looked into that + myself,” said Miss Bordereau. Then she added, “But she has learned nothing + since.” </p> <p> - “I have always been with you,” Miss Tita rejoined very mildly, and + “I have always been with you,” Miss Tita rejoined very mildly, and evidently with no intention of making an epigram. </p> <p> - “Yes, but for that!” her aunt declared with more satirical force. She + “Yes, but for that!” her aunt declared with more satirical force. She evidently meant that but for this her niece would never have got on at all; the point of the observation however being lost on Miss Tita, though she blushed at hearing her history revealed to a stranger. Miss Bordereau - went on, addressing herself to me: “And what time will you come tomorrow - with the money?” + went on, addressing herself to me: “And what time will you come tomorrow + with the money?” </p> <p> - “The sooner the better. If it suits you I will come at noon.” + “The sooner the better. If it suits you I will come at noon.” </p> <p> - “I am always here but I have my hours,” said the old woman, as if her + “I am always here but I have my hours,” said the old woman, as if her convenience were not to be taken for granted. </p> <p> - “You mean the times when you receive?” + “You mean the times when you receive?” </p> <p> - “I never receive. But I will see you at noon, when you come with the - money.” + “I never receive. But I will see you at noon, when you come with the + money.” </p> <p> - “Very good, I shall be punctual;” and I added, “May I shake hands with - you, on our contract?” I thought there ought to be some little form, it + “Very good, I shall be punctual;” and I added, “May I shake hands with + you, on our contract?” I thought there ought to be some little form, it would make me really feel easier, for I foresaw that there would be no other. Besides, though Miss Bordereau could not today be called personally attractive and there was something even in her wasted antiquity that bade - one stand at one’s distance, I felt an irresistible desire to hold in my + one stand at one’s distance, I felt an irresistible desire to hold in my own for a moment the hand that Jeffrey Aspern had pressed. </p> <p> For a minute she made no answer, and I saw that my proposal failed to meet with her approbation. She indulged in no movement of withdrawal, which I - half-expected; she only said coldly, “I belong to a time when that was not - the custom.” + half-expected; she only said coldly, “I belong to a time when that was not + the custom.” </p> <p> - I felt rather snubbed but I exclaimed good humoredly to Miss Tita, “Oh, - you will do as well!” I shook hands with her while she replied, with a - small flutter, “Yes, yes, to show it’s all arranged!” + I felt rather snubbed but I exclaimed good humoredly to Miss Tita, “Oh, + you will do as well!” I shook hands with her while she replied, with a + small flutter, “Yes, yes, to show it’s all arranged!” </p> <p> - “Shall you bring the money in gold?” Miss Bordereau demanded, as I was + “Shall you bring the money in gold?” Miss Bordereau demanded, as I was turning to the door. </p> <p> - I looked at her for a moment. “Aren’t you a little afraid, after all, of - keeping such a sum as that in the house?” It was not that I was annoyed at + I looked at her for a moment. “Aren’t you a little afraid, after all, of + keeping such a sum as that in the house?” It was not that I was annoyed at her avidity but I was really struck with the disparity between such a treasure and such scanty means of guarding it. </p> <p> - “Whom should I be afraid of if I am not afraid of you?” she asked with her + “Whom should I be afraid of if I am not afraid of you?” she asked with her shrunken grimness. </p> <p> - “Ah well,” said I, laughing, “I shall be in point of fact a protector and - I will bring gold if you prefer.” + “Ah well,” said I, laughing, “I shall be in point of fact a protector and + I will bring gold if you prefer.” </p> <p> - “Thank you,” the old woman returned with dignity and with an inclination + “Thank you,” the old woman returned with dignity and with an inclination of her head which evidently signified that I might depart. I passed out of the room, reflecting that it would not be easy to circumvent her. As I stood in the sala again I saw that Miss Tita had followed me, and I @@ -998,60 +960,60 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger which was almost comically at variance with the faded facts of her person. She was not infirm, like her aunt, but she struck me as still more helpless, because her inefficiency was spiritual, which was not the case - with Miss Bordereau’s. I waited to see if she would offer to show me the + with Miss Bordereau’s. I waited to see if she would offer to show me the rest of the house, but I did not precipitate the question, inasmuch as my plan was from this moment to spend as much of my time as possible in her society. I only observed at the end of a minute: </p> <p> - “I have had better fortune than I hoped. It was very kind of her to see - me. Perhaps you said a good word for me.” + “I have had better fortune than I hoped. It was very kind of her to see + me. Perhaps you said a good word for me.” </p> <p> - “It was the idea of the money,” said Miss Tita. + “It was the idea of the money,” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “And did you suggest that?” + “And did you suggest that?” </p> <p> - “I told her that you would perhaps give a good deal.” + “I told her that you would perhaps give a good deal.” </p> <p> - “What made you think that?” + “What made you think that?” </p> <p> - “I told her I thought you were rich.” + “I told her I thought you were rich.” </p> <p> - “And what put that idea into your head?” + “And what put that idea into your head?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know; the way you talked.” + “I don’t know; the way you talked.” </p> <p> - “Dear me, I must talk differently now,” I declared. “I’m sorry to say it’s - not the case.” + “Dear me, I must talk differently now,” I declared. “I’m sorry to say it’s + not the case.” </p> <p> - “Well,” said Miss Tita, “I think that in Venice the forestieri, in - general, often give a great deal for something that after all isn’t much.” - She appeared to make this remark with a comforting intention, to wish to - remind me that if I had been extravagant I was not really foolishly - singular. We walked together along the sala, and as I took its magnificent - measure I said to her that I was afraid it would not form a part of my - quartiere. Were my rooms by chance to be among those that opened into it? - “Not if you go above, on the second floor,” she answered with a little - startled air, as if she had rather taken for granted I would know my - proper place. + “Well,” said Miss Tita, “I think that in Venice the + <i lang="it">forestieri</i>, in general, often give a great deal for + something that after all isn’t much.” She appeared to make this remark + with a comforting intention, to wish to remind me that if I had been + extravagant I was not really foolishly singular. We walked together along + the sala, and as I took its magnificent measure I said to her that I was + afraid it would not form a part of my <i lang="it">quartiere</i>. Were my + rooms by chance to be among those that opened into it? “Not if you go + above, on the second floor,” she answered with a little startled air, as + if she had rather taken for granted I would know my proper place. </p> <p> - “And I infer that that’s where your aunt would like me to be.” + “And I infer that that’s where your aunt would like me to be.” </p> <p> - “She said your apartments ought to be very distinct.” + “She said your apartments ought to be very distinct.” </p> <p> - “That certainly would be best.” And I listened with respect while she told + “That certainly would be best.” And I listened with respect while she told me that up above I was free to take whatever I liked; that there was another staircase, but only from the floor on which we stood, and that to pass from it to the garden-story or to come up to my lodging I should have @@ -1062,7 +1024,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger constantly marked her manner. </p> <p> - “Perhaps you can’t. I don’t see—unless I should go with you.” She + “Perhaps you can’t. I don’t see—unless I should go with you.” She evidently had not thought of this before. </p> <p> @@ -1084,133 +1046,133 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger and indulged in no explanations nor apologies. I said to myself that this was a sign that Juliana and her niece (disenchanting idea!) were untidy persons, with a low Italian standard; but I afterward recognized that a - lodger who had forced an entrance had no locus standi as a critic. We - looked out of a good many windows, for there was nothing within the rooms - to look at, and still I wanted to linger. I asked her what several - different objects in the prospect might be, but in no case did she appear - to know. She was evidently not familiar with the view—it was as if - she had not looked at it for years—and I presently saw that she was - too preoccupied with something else to pretend to care for it. Suddenly - she said—the remark was not suggested: + lodger who had forced an entrance had no <i lang="la">locus standi</i> as + a critic. We looked out of a good many windows, for there was nothing + within the rooms to look at, and still I wanted to linger. I asked her + what several different objects in the prospect might be, but in no case + did she appear to know. She was evidently not familiar with the view—it + was as if she had not looked at it for years—and I presently saw that she + was too preoccupied with something else to pretend to care for it. + Suddenly she said—the remark was not suggested: </p> <p> - “I don’t know whether it will make any difference to you, but the money is - for me.” + “I don’t know whether it will make any difference to you, but the money is + for me.” </p> <p> - “The money?” + “The money?” </p> <p> - “The money you are going to bring.” + “The money you are going to bring.” </p> <p> - “Why, you’ll make me wish to stay here two or three years.” I spoke as + “Why, you’ll make me wish to stay here two or three years.” I spoke as benevolently as possible, though it had begun to act on my nerves that with these women so associated with Aspern the pecuniary question should constantly come back. </p> <p> - “That would be very good for me,” she replied, smiling. + “That would be very good for me,” she replied, smiling. </p> <p> - “You put me on my honor!” + “You put me on my honor!” </p> <p> - She looked as if she failed to understand this, but went on: “She wants me - to have more. She thinks she is going to die.” + She looked as if she failed to understand this, but went on: “She wants me + to have more. She thinks she is going to die.” </p> <p> - “Ah, not soon, I hope!” I exclaimed with genuine feeling. I had perfectly + “Ah, not soon, I hope!” I exclaimed with genuine feeling. I had perfectly considered the possibility that she would destroy her papers on the day she should feel her end really approach. I believed that she would cling - to them till then, and I think I had an idea that she read Aspern’s + to them till then, and I think I had an idea that she read Aspern’s letters over every night or at least pressed them to her withered lips. I would have given a good deal to have a glimpse of the latter spectacle. I asked Miss Tita if the old lady were seriously ill, and she replied that - she was only very tired—she had lived so very, very long. That was - what she said herself—she wanted to die for a change. Besides, all + she was only very tired—she had lived so very, very long. That was + what she said herself—she wanted to die for a change. Besides, all her friends were dead long ago; either they ought to have remained or she - ought to have gone. That was another thing her aunt often said—she + ought to have gone. That was another thing her aunt often said—she was not at all content. </p> <p> - “But people don’t die when they like, do they?” Miss Tita inquired. I took + “But people don’t die when they like, do they?” Miss Tita inquired. I took the liberty of asking why, if there was actually enough money to maintain both of them, there would not be more than enough in case of her being left alone. She considered this difficult problem a moment and then she - said, “Oh, well, you know, she takes care of me. She thinks that when I’m - alone I shall be a great fool, I shall not know how to manage.” + said, “Oh, well, you know, she takes care of me. She thinks that when I’m + alone I shall be a great fool, I shall not know how to manage.” </p> <p> - “I should have supposed that you took care of her. I’m afraid she is very - proud.” + “I should have supposed that you took care of her. I’m afraid she is very + proud.” </p> <p> - “Why, have you discovered that already?” Miss Tita cried with the glimmer + “Why, have you discovered that already?” Miss Tita cried with the glimmer of an illumination in her face. </p> <p> - “I was shut up with her there for a considerable time, and she struck me, - she interested me extremely. It didn’t take me long to make my discovery. - She won’t have much to say to me while I’m here.” + “I was shut up with her there for a considerable time, and she struck me, + she interested me extremely. It didn’t take me long to make my discovery. + She won’t have much to say to me while I’m here.” </p> <p> - “No, I don’t think she will,” my companion averred. + “No, I don’t think she will,” my companion averred. </p> <p> - “Do you suppose she has some suspicion of me?” + “Do you suppose she has some suspicion of me?” </p> <p> - Miss Tita’s honest eyes gave me no sign that I had touched a mark. “I - shouldn’t think so—letting you in after all so easily.” + Miss Tita’s honest eyes gave me no sign that I had touched a mark. “I + shouldn’t think so—letting you in after all so easily.” </p> <p> - “Oh, so easily! she has covered her risk. But where is it that one could - take an advantage of her?” + “Oh, so easily! she has covered her risk. But where is it that one could + take an advantage of her?” </p> <p> - “I oughtn’t to tell you if I knew, ought I?” And Miss Tita added, before I - had time to reply to this, smiling dolefully, “Do you think we have any - weak points?” + “I oughtn’t to tell you if I knew, ought I?” And Miss Tita added, before I + had time to reply to this, smiling dolefully, “Do you think we have any + weak points?” </p> <p> - “That’s exactly what I’m asking. You would only have to mention them for - me to respect them religiously.” + “That’s exactly what I’m asking. You would only have to mention them for + me to respect them religiously.” </p> <p> She looked at me, at this, with that air of timid but candid and even gratified curiosity with which she had confronted me from the first; and - then she said, “There is nothing to tell. We are terribly quiet. I don’t - know how the days pass. We have no life.” + then she said, “There is nothing to tell. We are terribly quiet. I don’t + know how the days pass. We have no life.” </p> <p> - “I wish I might think that I should bring you a little.” + “I wish I might think that I should bring you a little.” </p> <p> - “Oh, we know what we want,” she went on. “It’s all right.” + “Oh, we know what we want,” she went on. “It’s all right.” </p> <p> There were various things I desired to ask her: how in the world they did live; whether they had any friends or visitors, any relations in America or in other countries. But I judged such an inquiry would be premature; I - must leave it to a later chance. “Well, don’t YOU be proud,” I contented - myself with saying. “Don’t hide from me altogether.” + must leave it to a later chance. “Well, don’t <em>you</em> be proud,” I + contented myself with saying. “Don’t hide from me altogether.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I must stay with my aunt,” she returned, without looking at me. And + “Oh, I must stay with my aunt,” she returned, without looking at me. And at the same moment, abruptly, without any ceremony of parting, she quitted me and disappeared, leaving me to make my own way downstairs. I remained a while longer, wandering about the bright desert (the sun was pouring in) of the old house, thinking the situation over on the spot. Not even the - pattering little serva came to look after me, and I reflected that after - all this treatment showed confidence. + pattering little <i lang="it">serva</i> came to look after me, and I + reflected that after all this treatment showed confidence. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <a id="link2H_4_0004"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> IV @@ -1221,10 +1183,10 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger made no measurable advance. I was obliged to confess to her that I had no results to speak of. My first step had been unexpectedly rapid, but there was no appearance that it would be followed by a second. I was a thousand - miles from taking tea with my hostesses—that privilege of which, as + miles from taking tea with my hostesses—that privilege of which, as I reminded Mrs. Prest, we both had had a vision. She reproached me with wanting boldness, and I answered that even to be bold you must have an - opportunity: you may push on through a breach but you can’t batter down a + opportunity: you may push on through a breach but you can’t batter down a dead wall. She answered that the breach I had already made was big enough to admit an army and accused me of wasting precious hours in whimpering in her salon when I ought to have been carrying on the struggle in the field. @@ -1235,14 +1197,14 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger vigilant; and I was rather glad when my derisive friend closed her house for the summer. She had expected to gather amusement from the drama of my intercourse with the Misses Bordereau, and she was disappointed that the - intercourse, and consequently the drama, had not come off. “They’ll lead - you on to your ruin,” she said before she left Venice. “They’ll get all - your money without showing you a scrap.” I think I settled down to my + intercourse, and consequently the drama, had not come off. “They’ll lead + you on to your ruin,” she said before she left Venice. “They’ll get all + your money without showing you a scrap.” I think I settled down to my business with more concentration after she had gone away. </p> <p> It was a fact that up to that time I had not, save on a single brief - occasion, had even a moment’s contact with my queer hostesses. The + occasion, had even a moment’s contact with my queer hostesses. The exception had occurred when I carried them according to my promise the terrible three thousand francs. Then I found Miss Tita waiting for me in the hall, and she took the money from my hand so that I did not see her @@ -1252,12 +1214,12 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger Tita had to make a big fist to receive it. This she did with extreme solemnity, though I tried to treat the affair a little as a joke. It was in no jocular strain, yet it was with simplicity, that she inquired, - weighing the money in her two palms: “Don’t you think it’s too much?” To + weighing the money in her two palms: “Don’t you think it’s too much?” To which I replied that that would depend upon the amount of pleasure I should get for it. Hereupon she turned away from me quickly, as she had done the day before, murmuring in a tone different from any she had used - hitherto: “Oh, pleasure, pleasure—there’s no pleasure in this - house!” + hitherto: “Oh, pleasure, pleasure—there’s no pleasure in this + house!” </p> <p> After this, for a long time, I never saw her, and I wondered that the @@ -1266,46 +1228,46 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger addition to this the house was so big that for each other we were lost in it. I used to look out for her hopefully as I crossed the sala in my comings and goings, but I was not rewarded with a glimpse of the tail of - her dress. It was as if she never peeped out of her aunt’s apartment. I + her dress. It was as if she never peeped out of her aunt’s apartment. I used to wonder what she did there week after week and year after year. I - had never encountered such a violent parti pris of seclusion; it was more - than keeping quiet—it was like hunted creatures feigning death. The - two ladies appeared to have no visitors whatever and no sort of contact - with the world. I judged at least that people could not have come to the - house and that Miss Tita could not have gone out without my having some - observation of it. I did what I disliked myself for doing (reflecting that - it was only once in a way): I questioned my servant about their habits and - let him divine that I should be interested in any information he could - pick up. But he picked up amazingly little for a knowing Venetian: it must - be added that where there is a perpetual fast there are very few crumbs on - the floor. His cleverness in other ways was sufficient, if it was not - quite all that I had attributed to him on the occasion of my first - interview with Miss Tita. He had helped my gondolier to bring me round a - boatload of furniture; and when these articles had been carried to the top - of the palace and distributed according to our associated wisdom he - organized my household with such promptitude as was consistent with the - fact that it was composed exclusively of himself. He made me in short as - comfortable as I could be with my indifferent prospects. I should have - been glad if he had fallen in love with Miss Bordereau’s maid or, failing - this, had taken her in aversion; either event might have brought about - some kind of catastrophe, and a catastrophe might have led to some parley. - It was my idea that she would have been sociable, and I myself on various - occasions saw her flit to and fro on domestic errands, so that I was sure - she was accessible. But I tasted of no gossip from that fountain, and I - afterward learned that Pasquale’s affections were fixed upon an object - that made him heedless of other women. This was a young lady with a - powdered face, a yellow cotton gown, and much leisure, who used often to - come to see him. She practiced, at her convenience, the art of a stringer - of beads (these ornaments are made in Venice, in profusion; she had her - pocket full of them, and I used to find them on the floor of my - apartment), and kept an eye on the maiden in the house. It was not for me - of course to make the domestics tattle, and I never said a word to Miss - Bordereau’s cook. - </p> - <p> - It seemed to me a proof of the old lady’s determination to have nothing to + had never encountered such a violent <i lang="fr">parti pris</i> of + seclusion; it was more than keeping quiet—it was like hunted creatures + feigning death. The two ladies appeared to have no visitors whatever and + no sort of contact with the world. I judged at least that people could not + have come to the house and that Miss Tita could not have gone out without + my having some observation of it. I did what I disliked myself for doing + (reflecting that it was only once in a way): I questioned my servant about + their habits and let him divine that I should be interested in any + information he could pick up. But he picked up amazingly little for a + knowing Venetian: it must be added that where there is a perpetual fast + there are very few crumbs on the floor. His cleverness in other ways was + sufficient, if it was not quite all that I had attributed to him on the + occasion of my first interview with Miss Tita. He had helped my gondolier + to bring me round a boatload of furniture; and when these articles had + been carried to the top of the palace and distributed according to our + associated wisdom he organized my household with such promptitude as was + consistent with the fact that it was composed exclusively of himself. He + made me in short as comfortable as I could be with my indifferent + prospects. I should have been glad if he had fallen in love with Miss + Bordereau’s maid or, failing this, had taken her in aversion; either event + might have brought about some kind of catastrophe, and a catastrophe might + have led to some parley. It was my idea that she would have been sociable, + and I myself on various occasions saw her flit to and fro on domestic + errands, so that I was sure she was accessible. But I tasted of no gossip + from that fountain, and I afterward learned that Pasquale’s affections + were fixed upon an object that made him heedless of other women. This was + a young lady with a powdered face, a yellow cotton gown, and much leisure, + who used often to come to see him. She practiced, at her convenience, the + art of a stringer of beads (these ornaments are made in Venice, in + profusion; she had her pocket full of them, and I used to find them on the + floor of my apartment), and kept an eye on the maiden in the house. It was + not for me of course to make the domestics tattle, and I never said a word + to Miss Bordereau’s cook. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to me a proof of the old lady’s determination to have nothing to do with me that she should never have sent me a receipt for my three - months’ rent. For some days I looked out for it and then, when I had given + months’ rent. For some days I looked out for it and then, when I had given it up, I wasted a good deal of time in wondering what her reason had been for neglecting so indispensable and familiar a form. At first I was tempted to send her a reminder, after which I relinquished the idea @@ -1316,7 +1278,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger an impertinence, a visible irony, to show how she could overreach people who attempted to overreach her. On that hypothesis it was well to let her see that one did not notice her little tricks. The real reading of the - matter, I afterward perceived, was simply the poor old woman’s desire to + matter, I afterward perceived, was simply the poor old woman’s desire to emphasize the fact that I was in the enjoyment of a favor as rigidly limited as it had been liberally bestowed. She had given me part of her house, and now she would not give me even a morsel of paper with her name @@ -1327,48 +1289,48 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger be no Venetian business without patience, and since I adored the place I was much more in the spirit of it for having laid in a large provision. That spirit kept me perpetual company and seemed to look out at me from - the revived immortal face—in which all his genius shone—of the + the revived immortal face—in which all his genius shone—of the great poet who was my prompter. I had invoked him and he had come; he hovered before me half the time; it was as if his bright ghost had returned to earth to tell me that he regarded the affair as his own no less than mine and that we should see it fraternally, cheerfully to a - conclusion. It was as if he had said, “Poor dear, be easy with her; she + conclusion. It was as if he had said, “Poor dear, be easy with her; she has some natural prejudices; only give her time. Strange as it may appear to you she was very attractive in 1820. Meanwhile are we not in Venice together, and what better place is there for the meeting of dear friends? See how it glows with the advancing summer; how the sky and the sea and - the rosy air and the marble of the palaces all shimmer and melt together.” + the rosy air and the marble of the palaces all shimmer and melt together.” My eccentric private errand became a part of the general romance and the - general glory—I felt even a mystic companionship, a moral fraternity + general glory—I felt even a mystic companionship, a moral fraternity with all those who in the past had been in the service of art. They had worked for beauty, for a devotion; and what else was I doing? That element was in everything that Jeffrey Aspern had written, and I was only bringing it to the light. </p> <p> - I lingered in the sala when I went to and fro; I used to watch—as - long as I thought decent—the door that led to Miss Bordereau’s part + I lingered in the sala when I went to and fro; I used to watch—as + long as I thought decent—the door that led to Miss Bordereau’s part of the house. A person observing me might have supposed I was trying to cast a spell upon it or attempting some odd experiment in hypnotism. But I was only praying it would open or thinking what treasure probably lurked behind it. I hold it singular, as I look back, that I should never have doubted for a moment that the sacred relics were there; never have failed to feel a certain joy at being under the same roof with them. After all - they were under my hand—they had not escaped me yet; and they made + they were under my hand—they had not escaped me yet; and they made my life continuous, in a fashion, with the illustrious life they had touched at the other end. I lost myself in this satisfaction to the point - of assuming—in my quiet extravagance—that poor Miss Tita also + of assuming—in my quiet extravagance—that poor Miss Tita also went back, went back, as I used to phrase it. She did indeed, the gentle spinster, but not quite so far as Jeffrey Aspern, who was simply hearsay to her, quite as he was to me. Only she had lived for years with Juliana, she had seen and handled the papers and (even though she was stupid) some esoteric knowledge had rubbed off on her. That was what the old woman - represented—esoteric knowledge; and this was the idea with which my + represented—esoteric knowledge; and this was the idea with which my editorial heart used to thrill. It literally beat faster often, of an evening, when I had been out, as I stopped with my candle in the re-echoing hall on my way up to bed. It was as if at such a moment as that, in the stillness, after the long contradiction of the day, Miss - Bordereau’s secrets were in the air, the wonder of her survival more + Bordereau’s secrets were in the air, the wonder of her survival more palpable. These were the acute impressions. I had them in another form, with more of a certain sort of reciprocity, during the hours that I sat in the garden looking up over the top of my book at the closed windows of my @@ -1390,8 +1352,8 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger as it was, with its weeds and its wild, rough tangle, its sweet, characteristic Venetian shabbiness. I had to be consistent, to keep my promise that I would smother the house in flowers. Moreover I formed this - graceful project that by flowers I would make my way—I would succeed - by big nosegays. I would batter the old women with lilies—I would + graceful project that by flowers I would make my way—I would succeed + by big nosegays. I would batter the old women with lilies—I would bombard their citadel with roses. Their door would have to yield to the pressure when a mountain of carnations should be piled up against it. The place in truth had been brutally neglected. The Venetian capacity for @@ -1427,17 +1389,18 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger and was familiar with the strange ways they were liable to take up there; but the Misses Bordereau formed altogether a new type of the American absentee. Indeed it was plain that the American name had ceased to have - any application to them—I had seen this in the ten minutes I spent - in the old woman’s room. You could never have said whence they came, from + any application to them—I had seen this in the ten minutes I spent + in the old woman’s room. You could never have said whence they came, from the appearance of either of them; wherever it was they had long ago dropped the local accent and fashion. There was nothing in them that one recognized, and putting the question of speech aside they might have been Norwegians or Spaniards. Miss Bordereau, after all, had been in Europe nearly three-quarters of a century; it appeared by some verses addressed - to her by Aspern on the occasion of his own second absence from America—verses - of which Cumnor and I had after infinite conjecture established solidly - enough the date—that she was even then, as a girl of twenty, on the - foreign side of the sea. There was an implication in the poem (I hope not + to her by Aspern on the occasion of his own second absence from + America—verses of which Cumnor and I had after infinite conjecture + established solidly enough the date—that she was even then, as a girl of + twenty, on the foreign side of the sea. + There was an implication in the poem (I hope not just for the phrase) that he had come back for her sake. We had no real light upon her circumstances at that moment, any more than we had upon her origin, which we believed to be of the sort usually spoken of as modest. @@ -1450,7 +1413,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger study in the ancient schools. It was essential to my hypothesis that this amiable man should have lost his wife, should have been poor and unsuccessful and should have had a second daughter, of a disposition quite - different from Juliana’s. It was also indispensable that he should have + different from Juliana’s. It was also indispensable that he should have been accompanied to Europe by these young ladies and should have established himself there for the remainder of a struggling, saddened life. There was a further implication that Miss Bordereau had had in her @@ -1463,14 +1426,14 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger <p> I asked myself these things as I sat spinning theories about her in my arbor and the bees droned in the flowers. It was incontestable that, - whether for right or for wrong, most readers of certain of Aspern’s poems - (poems not as ambiguous as the sonnets—scarcely more divine, I think—of + whether for right or for wrong, most readers of certain of Aspern’s poems + (poems not as ambiguous as the sonnets—scarcely more divine, I think—of Shakespeare) had taken for granted that Juliana had not always adhered to the steep footway of renunciation. There hovered about her name a perfume of reckless passion, an intimation that she had not been exactly as the respectable young person in general. Was this a sign that her singer had betrayed her, had given her away, as we say nowadays, to posterity? - Certain it is that it would have been difficult to put one’s finger on the + Certain it is that it would have been difficult to put one’s finger on the passage in which her fair fame suffered an imputation. Moreover was not any fame fair enough that was so sure of duration and was associated with works immortal through their beauty? It was a part of my idea that the @@ -1478,8 +1441,9 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger before her meeting with Jeffrey Aspern. She had lived with her father and sister in a queer old-fashioned, expatriated, artistic Bohemia, in the days when the aesthetic was only the academic and the painters who knew - the best models for a contadina and pifferaro wore peaked hats and long - hair. It was a society less furnished than the coteries of today (in its + the best models for a <i lang="it">contadina</i> and + <i lang="it">pifferaro</i> wore peaked hats and long hair. + It was a society less furnished than the coteries of today (in its ignorance of the wonderful chances, the opportunities of the early bird, with which its path was strewn), with tatters of old stuff and fragments of old crockery; so that Miss Bordereau appeared not to have picked up or @@ -1493,7 +1457,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger photography and other conveniences have annihilated surprise. Miss Bordereau sailed with her family on a tossing brig, in the days of long voyages and sharp differences; she had her emotions on the top of yellow - diligences, passed the night at inns where she dreamed of travelers’ + diligences, passed the night at inns where she dreamed of travelers’ tales, and was struck, on reaching the Eternal City, with the elegance of Roman pearls and scarfs. There was something touching to me in all that, and my imagination frequently went back to the period. If Miss Bordereau @@ -1503,24 +1467,24 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger transfusion. It had happened to me to regret that he had known Europe at all; I should have liked to see what he would have written without that experience, by which he had incontestably been enriched. But as his fate - had ordered otherwise I went with him—I tried to judge how the Old + had ordered otherwise I went with him—I tried to judge how the Old World would have struck him. It was not only there, however, that I watched him; the relations he had entertained with the new had even a livelier interest. His own country after all had had most of his life, and his muse, as they said at that time, was essentially American. That was originally what I had loved him for: that at a period when our native land - was nude and crude and provincial, when the famous “atmosphere” it is + was nude and crude and provincial, when the famous “atmosphere” it is supposed to lack was not even missed, when literature was lonely there and art and form almost impossible, he had found means to live and write like one of the first; to be free and general and not at all afraid; to feel, understand, and express everything. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <a id="link2H_4_0005"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> V @@ -1531,14 +1495,14 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger it was too hot for closed windows. Accordingly I spent the late hours either on the water (the moonlight of Venice is famous), or in the splendid square which serves as a vast forecourt to the strange old - basilica of Saint Mark. I sat in front of Florian’s cafe, eating ices, + basilica of Saint Mark. I sat in front of Florian’s café, eating ices, listening to music, talking with acquaintances: the traveler will remember how the immense cluster of tables and little chairs stretches like a promontory into the smooth lake of the Piazza. The whole place, of a - summer’s evening, under the stars and with all the lamps, all the voices + summer’s evening, under the stars and with all the lamps, all the voices and light footsteps on marble (the only sounds of the arcades that enclose it), is like an open-air saloon dedicated to cooling drinks and to a still - finer degustation—that of the exquisite impressions received during + finer degustation—that of the exquisite impressions received during the day. When I did not prefer to keep mine to myself there was always a stray tourist, disencumbered of his Baedeker, to discuss them with, or some domesticated painter rejoicing in the return of the season of strong @@ -1552,28 +1516,28 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger prevent from being stuffy. Their life seemed miles away from the life of the Piazza, and no doubt it was really too late to make the austere Juliana change her habits. But poor Miss Tita would have enjoyed one of - Florian’s ices, I was sure; sometimes I even had thoughts of carrying one + Florian’s ices, I was sure; sometimes I even had thoughts of carrying one home to her. Fortunately my patience bore fruit, and I was not obliged to do anything so ridiculous. </p> <p> - One evening about the middle of July I came in earlier than usual—I - forget what chance had led to this—and instead of going up to my + One evening about the middle of July I came in earlier than usual—I + forget what chance had led to this—and instead of going up to my quarters made my way into the garden. The temperature was very high; it was such a night as one would gladly have spent in the open air, and I was in no hurry to go to bed. I had floated home in my gondola, listening to the slow splash of the oar in the narrow dark canals, and now the only thought that solicited me was the vague reflection that it would be - pleasant to recline at one’s length in the fragrant darkness on a garden + pleasant to recline at one’s length in the fragrant darkness on a garden bench. The odor of the canal was doubtless at the bottom of that aspiration and the breath of the garden, as I entered it, gave consistency - to my purpose. It was delicious—just such an air as must have - trembled with Romeo’s vows when he stood among the flowers and raised his - arms to his mistress’s balcony. I looked at the windows of the palace to + to my purpose. It was delicious—just such an air as must have + trembled with Romeo’s vows when he stood among the flowers and raised his + arms to his mistress’s balcony. I looked at the windows of the palace to see if by chance the example of Verona (Verona being not far off) had been followed; but everything was dim, as usual, and everything was still. Juliana, on summer nights in her youth, might have murmured down from open - windows at Jeffrey Aspern, but Miss Tita was not a poet’s mistress any + windows at Jeffrey Aspern, but Miss Tita was not a poet’s mistress any more than I was a poet. This however did not prevent my gratification from being great as I became aware on reaching the end of the garden that Miss Tita was seated in my little bower. At first I only made out an indistinct @@ -1581,7 +1545,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger hostesses; it even occurred to me that some sentimental maidservant had stolen in to keep a tryst with her sweetheart. I was going to turn away, not to frighten her, when the figure rose to its height and I recognized - Miss Bordereau’s niece. I must do myself the justice to say that I did not + Miss Bordereau’s niece. I must do myself the justice to say that I did not wish to frighten her either, and much as I had longed for some such accident I should have been capable of retreating. It was as if I had laid a trap for her by coming home earlier than usual and adding to that @@ -1590,18 +1554,18 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger was her nightly practice to take a lonely airing. There was no trap, in truth, because I had had no suspicion. At first I took for granted that the words she uttered expressed discomfiture at my arrival; but as she - repeated them—I had not caught them clearly—I had the surprise - of hearing her say, “Oh, dear, I’m so very glad you’ve come!” She and her + repeated them—I had not caught them clearly—I had the surprise + of hearing her say, “Oh, dear, I’m so very glad you’ve come!” She and her aunt had in common the property of unexpected speeches. She came out of the arbor almost as if she were going to throw herself into my arms. </p> <p> I hasten to add that she did nothing of the kind; she did not even shake hands with me. It was a gratification to her to see me and presently she - told me why—because she was nervous when she was out-of-doors at + told me why—because she was nervous when she was out-of-doors at night alone. The plants and bushes looked so strange in the dark, and - there were all sorts of queer sounds—she could not tell what they - were—like the noises of animals. She stood close to me, looking + there were all sorts of queer sounds—she could not tell what they + were—like the noises of animals. She stood close to me, looking about her with an air of greater security but without any demonstration of interest in me as an individual. Then I guessed that nocturnal prowlings were not in the least her habit, and I was also reminded (I had been @@ -1609,60 +1573,60 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger that it was impossible to overestimate her simplicity. </p> <p> - “You speak as if you were lost in the backwoods,” I said, laughing. “How + “You speak as if you were lost in the backwoods,” I said, laughing. “How you manage to keep out of this charming place when you have only three steps to take to get into it is more than I have yet been able to discover. You hide away mighty well so long as I am on the premises, I know; but I had a hope that you peeped out a little at other times. You and your poor aunt are worse off than Carmelite nuns in their cells. Should you mind telling me how you exist without air, without exercise, - without any sort of human contact? I don’t see how you carry on the common - business of life.” + without any sort of human contact? I don’t see how you carry on the common + business of life.” </p> <p> She looked at me as if I were talking some strange tongue, and her answer - was so little of an answer that I was considerably irritated. “We go to - bed very early—earlier than you would believe.” I was on the point + was so little of an answer that I was considerably irritated. “We go to + bed very early—earlier than you would believe.” I was on the point of saying that this only deepened the mystery when she gave me some relief - by adding, “Before you came we were not so private. But I never have been - out at night.” + by adding, “Before you came we were not so private. But I never have been + out at night.” </p> <p> - “Never in these fragrant alleys, blooming here under your nose?” + “Never in these fragrant alleys, blooming here under your nose?” </p> <p> - “Ah,” said Miss Tita, “they were never nice till now!” There was an + “Ah,” said Miss Tita, “they were never nice till now!” There was an unmistakable reference in this and a flattering comparison, so that it seemed to me I had gained a small advantage. As it would help me to follow it up to establish a sort of grievance I asked her why, since she thought my garden nice, she had never thanked me in any way for the flowers I had been sending up in such quantities for the previous three weeks. I had not - been discouraged—there had been, as she would have observed, a daily + been discouraged—there had been, as she would have observed, a daily armful; but I had been brought up in the common forms and a word of recognition now and then would have touched me in the right place. </p> <p> - “Why I didn’t know they were for me!” + “Why I didn’t know they were for me!” </p> <p> - “They were for both of you. Why should I make a difference?” + “They were for both of you. Why should I make a difference?” </p> <p> - Miss Tita reflected as if she might by thinking of a reason for that, but - she failed to produce one. Instead of this she asked abruptly, “Why in the - world do you want to know us?” + Miss Tita reflected as if she might be thinking of a reason for that, but + she failed to produce one. Instead of this she asked abruptly, “Why in the + world do you want to know us?” </p> <p> - “I ought after all to make a difference,” I replied. “That question is - your aunt’s; it isn’t yours. You wouldn’t ask it if you hadn’t been put up - to it.” + “I ought after all to make a difference,” I replied. “That question is + your aunt’s; it isn’t yours. You wouldn’t ask it if you hadn’t been put up + to it.” </p> <p> - “She didn’t tell me to ask you,” Miss Tita replied without confusion; she + “She didn’t tell me to ask you,” Miss Tita replied without confusion; she was the oddest mixture of the shrinking and the direct. </p> <p> - “Well, she has often wondered about it herself and expressed her wonder to + “Well, she has often wondered about it herself and expressed her wonder to you. She has insisted on it, so that she has put the idea into your head that I am insufferably pushing. Upon my word I think I have been very discreet. And how completely your aunt must have lost every tradition of @@ -1670,28 +1634,28 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger intelligent people, living as we do under the same roof, should occasionally exchange a remark! What could be more natural? We are of the same country, and we have at least some of the same tastes, since, like - you, I am intensely fond of Venice.” + you, I am intensely fond of Venice.” </p> <p> My interlocutress appeared incapable of grasping more than one clause in any proposition, and she declared quickly, eagerly, as if she were - answering my whole speech: “I am not in the least fond of Venice. I should - like to go far away!” + answering my whole speech: “I am not in the least fond of Venice. I should + like to go far away!” </p> <p> - “Has she always kept you back so?” I went on, to show her that I could be + “Has she always kept you back so?” I went on, to show her that I could be as irrelevant as herself. </p> <p> - “She told me to come out tonight; she has told me very often,” said Miss - Tita. “It is I who wouldn’t come. I don’t like to leave her.” + “She told me to come out tonight; she has told me very often,” said Miss + Tita. “It is I who wouldn’t come. I don’t like to leave her.” </p> <p> - “Is she too weak, is she failing?” I demanded, with more emotion, I think, + “Is she too weak, is she failing?” I demanded, with more emotion, I think, than I intended to show. I judged this by the way her eyes rested upon me in the darkness. It embarrassed me a little, and to turn the matter off I - continued genially: “Do let us sit down together comfortably somewhere, - and you will tell me all about her.” + continued genially: “Do let us sit down together comfortably somewhere, + and you will tell me all about her.” </p> <p> Miss Tita made no resistance to this. We found a bench less secluded, less @@ -1705,40 +1669,41 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger almost as if these three months had made me an old friend. If I had chosen I might have inferred from this that though she had avoided me she had given a good deal of consideration to doing so. She paid no attention to - the flight of time—never worried at my keeping her so long away from + the flight of time—never worried at my keeping her so long away from her aunt. She talked freely, answering questions and asking them and not even taking advantage of certain longish pauses with which they inevitably alternated to say she thought she had better go in. It was almost as if - she were waiting for something—something I might say to her—and + she were waiting for something—something I might say to her—and intended to give me my opportunity. I was the more struck by this as she told me that her aunt had been less well for a good many days and in a way that was rather new. She was weaker; at moments it seemed as if she had no strength at all; yet more than ever before she wished to be left alone. - That was why she had told her to come out—not even to remain in her + That was why she had told her to come out—not even to remain in her own room, which was alongside; she said her niece irritated her, made her nervous. She sat still for hours together, as if she were asleep; she had always done that, musing and dozing; but at such times formerly she gave at intervals some small sign of life, of interest, liking her companion to be near her with her work. Miss Tita confided to me that at present her aunt was so motionless that she sometimes feared she was dead; moreover - she took hardly any food—one couldn’t see what she lived on. The + she took hardly any food—one couldn’t see what she lived on. The great thing was that she still on most days got up; the serious job was to dress her, to wheel her out of her bedroom. She clung to as many of her old habits as possible and she had always, little company as they had received for years, made a point of sitting in the parlor. </p> <p> - I scarcely knew what to think of all this—of Miss Tita’s sudden + I scarcely knew what to think of all this—of Miss Tita’s sudden conversion to sociability and of the strange circumstance that the more the old lady appeared to decline toward her end the less she should desire to be looked after. The story did not hang together, and I even asked myself whether it were not a trap laid for me, the result of a design to make me show my hand. I could not have told why my companions (as they - could only by courtesy be called) should have this purpose—why they + could only by courtesy be called) should have this purpose—why they should try to trip up so lucrative a lodger. At any rate I kept on my guard, so that Miss Tita should not have occasion again to ask me if I had - an arriere-pensee. Poor woman, before we parted for the night my mind was - at rest as to HER capacity for entertaining one. + an <i lang="fr">arrière-pensée</i>. Poor woman, before we parted for the + night my mind was at rest as to <em>her</em> capacity for entertaining + one. </p> <p> She told me more about their affairs than I had hoped; there was no need @@ -1749,29 +1714,29 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger they first came to live in Venice, years and years before (I saw that her mind was essentially vague about dates and the order in which events had occurred), there was scarcely a week that they had not some visitor or did - not make some delightful passeggio in the city. They had seen all the - curiosities; they had even been to the Lido in a boat (she spoke as if I - might think there was a way on foot); they had had a collation there, - brought in three baskets and spread out on the grass. I asked her what - people they had known and she said, Oh! very nice ones—the Cavaliere - Bombicci and the Contessa Altemura, with whom they had had a great - friendship. Also English people—the Churtons and the Goldies and + not make some delightful <i lang="it">passeggio</i> in the city. They had + seen all the curiosities; they had even been to the Lido in a boat (she + spoke as if I might think there was a way on foot); they had had a + collation there, brought in three baskets and spread out on the grass. I + asked her what people they had known and she said, Oh! very nice ones—the + Cavaliere Bombicci and the Contessa Altemura, with whom they had had a + great friendship. Also English people—the Churtons and the Goldies and Mrs. Stock-Stock, whom they had loved dearly; she was dead and gone, poor dear. That was the case with most of their pleasant circle (this - expression was Miss Tita’s own), though a few were left, which was a + expression was Miss Tita’s own), though a few were left, which was a wonder considering how they had neglected them. She mentioned the names of two or three Venetian old women; of a certain doctor, very clever, who was - so kind—he came as a friend, he had really given up practice; of the - avvocato Pochintesta, who wrote beautiful poems and had addressed one to - her aunt. These people came to see them without fail every year, usually - at the capo d’anno, and of old her aunt used to make them some little - present—her aunt and she together: small things that she, Miss Tita, - made herself, like paper lampshades or mats for the decanters of wine at - dinner or those woolen things that in cold weather were worn on the - wrists. The last few years there had not been many presents; she could not - think what to make, and her aunt had lost her interest and never - suggested. But the people came all the same; if the Venetians liked you - once they liked you forever. + so kind—he came as a friend, he had really given up practice; of the + <i lang="it">avvocato</i> Pochintesta, who wrote beautiful poems and had + addressed one to her aunt. These people came to see them without fail + every year, usually at the <i lang="it">capo d’anno</i>, and of old her + aunt used to make them some little present—her aunt and she together: + small things that she, Miss Tita, made herself, like paper lampshades or + mats for the decanters of wine at dinner or those woolen things that in + cold weather were worn on the wrists. The last few years there had not + been many presents; she could not think what to make, and her aunt had + lost her interest and never suggested. But the people came all the same; + if the Venetians liked you once they liked you forever. </p> <p> There was something affecting in the good faith of this sketch of former @@ -1782,58 +1747,58 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger observed for the first time that she had acquired by contact something of the trick of the familiar, soft-sounding, almost infantile speech of the place. I judged that she had imbibed this invertebrate dialect from the - natural way the names of things and people—mostly purely local—rose + natural way the names of things and people—mostly purely local—rose to her lips. If she knew little of what they represented she knew still - less of anything else. Her aunt had drawn in—her failing interest in - the table mats and lampshades was a sign of that—and she had not + less of anything else. Her aunt had drawn in—her failing interest in + the table mats and lampshades was a sign of that—and she had not been able to mingle in society or to entertain it alone; so that the matter of her reminiscences struck one as an old world altogether. If she had not been so decent her references would have seemed to carry one back to the queer rococo Venice of Casanova. I found myself falling into the - error of thinking of her too as one of Jeffrey Aspern’s contemporaries; + error of thinking of her too as one of Jeffrey Aspern’s contemporaries; this came from her having so little in common with my own. It was possible, I said to myself, that she had not even heard of him; it might very well be that Juliana had not cared to lift even for her the veil that covered the temple of her youth. In this case she perhaps would not know - of the existence of the papers, and I welcomed that presumption—it - made me feel more safe with her—until I remembered that we had + of the existence of the papers, and I welcomed that presumption—it + made me feel more safe with her—until I remembered that we had believed the letter of disavowal received by Cumnor to be in the handwriting of the niece. If it had been dictated to her she had of course to know what it was about; yet after all the effect of it was to repudiate the idea of any connection with the poet. I held it probable at all events that Miss Tita had not read a word of his poetry. Moreover if, with her companion, she had always escaped the interviewer there was little - occasion for her having got it into her head that people were “after” the + occasion for her having got it into her head that people were “after” the letters. People had not been after them, inasmuch as they had not heard of - them; and Cumnor’s fruitless feeler would have been a solitary accident. + them; and Cumnor’s fruitless feeler would have been a solitary accident. </p> <p> When midnight sounded Miss Tita got up; but she stopped at the door of the house only after she had wandered two or three times with me round the - garden. “When shall I see you again?” I asked before she went in; to which + garden. “When shall I see you again?” I asked before she went in; to which she replied with promptness that she should like to come out the next - night. She added however that she should not come—she was so far + night. She added however that she should not come—she was so far from doing everything she liked. </p> <p> - “You might do a few things that <i>I</i> like,” I said with a sigh. + “You might do a few things that <i>I</i> like,” I said with a sigh. </p> <p> - “Oh, you—I don’t believe you!” she murmured at this, looking at me + “Oh, you—I don’t believe you!” she murmured at this, looking at me with her simple solemnity. </p> <p> - “Why don’t you believe me?” + “Why don’t you believe me?” </p> <p> - “Because I don’t understand you.” + “Because I don’t understand you.” </p> <p> - “That is just the sort of occasion to have faith.” I could not say more, + “That is just the sort of occasion to have faith.” I could not say more, though I should have liked to, as I saw that I only mystified her; for I had no wish to have it on my conscience that I might pass for having made love to her. Nothing less should I have seemed to do had I continued to - beg a lady to “believe in me” in an Italian garden on a midsummer night. + beg a lady to “believe in me” in an Italian garden on a midsummer night. There was some merit in my scruples, for Miss Tita lingered and lingered: I perceived that she felt that she should not really soon come down again and wished therefore to protract the present. She insisted too on making @@ -1841,111 +1806,111 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger such as would have been possible only to a completely innocent woman. </p> <p> - “I shall like the flowers better now that I know they are also meant for - me.” + “I shall like the flowers better now that I know they are also meant for + me.” </p> <p> - “How could you have doubted it? If you will tell me the kind you like best - I will send a double lot of them.” + “How could you have doubted it? If you will tell me the kind you like best + I will send a double lot of them.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I like them all best!” Then she went on, familiarly: “Shall you study—shall - you read and write—when you go up to your rooms?” + “Oh, I like them all best!” Then she went on, familiarly: “Shall you + study—shall you read and write—when you go up to your rooms?” </p> <p> - “I don’t do that at night, at this season. The lamplight brings in the - animals.” + “I don’t do that at night, at this season. The lamplight brings in the + animals.” </p> <p> - “You might have known that when you came.” + “You might have known that when you came.” </p> <p> - “I did know it!” + “I did know it!” </p> <p> - “And in winter do you work at night?” + “And in winter do you work at night?” </p> <p> - “I read a good deal, but I don’t often write.” She listened as if these + “I read a good deal, but I don’t often write.” She listened as if these details had a rare interest, and suddenly a temptation quite at variance with the prudence I had been teaching myself associated itself with her plain, mild face. Ah yes, she was safe and I could make her safer! It - seemed to me from one moment to another that I could not wait longer—that - I really must take a sounding. So I went on: “In general before I go to - sleep—very often in bed (it’s a bad habit, but I confess to it), I - read some great poet. In nine cases out of ten it’s a volume of Jeffrey - Aspern.” + seemed to me from one moment to another that I could not wait longer—that + I really must take a sounding. So I went on: “In general before I go to + sleep—very often in bed (it’s a bad habit, but I confess to it), I + read some great poet. In nine cases out of ten it’s a volume of Jeffrey + Aspern.” </p> <p> I watched her well as I pronounced that name but I saw nothing wonderful. - Why should I indeed—was not Jeffrey Aspern the property of the human + Why should I indeed—was not Jeffrey Aspern the property of the human race? </p> <p> - “Oh, we read him—we HAVE read him,” she quietly replied. + “Oh, we read him—we <em>have</em> read him,” she quietly replied. </p> <p> - “He is my poet of poets—I know him almost by heart.” + “He is my poet of poets—I know him almost by heart.” </p> <p> For an instant Miss Tita hesitated; then her sociability was too much for her. </p> <p> - “Oh, by heart—that’s nothing!” she murmured, smiling. “My aunt used - to know him—to know him”—she paused an instant and I wondered - what she was going to say—“to know him as a visitor.” + “Oh, by heart—that’s nothing!” she murmured, smiling. “My aunt used + to know him—to know him”—she paused an instant and I wondered + what she was going to say—“to know him as a visitor.” </p> <p> - “As a visitor?” I repeated, staring. + “As a visitor?” I repeated, staring. </p> <p> - “He used to call on her and take her out.” + “He used to call on her and take her out.” </p> <p> - I continued to stare. “My dear lady, he died a hundred years ago!” + I continued to stare. “My dear lady, he died a hundred years ago!” </p> <p> - “Well,” she said mirthfully, “my aunt is a hundred and fifty.” + “Well,” she said mirthfully, “my aunt is a hundred and fifty.” </p> <p> - “Mercy on us!” I exclaimed; “why didn’t you tell me before? I should like - so to ask her about him.” + “Mercy on us!” I exclaimed; “why didn’t you tell me before? I should like + so to ask her about him.” </p> <p> - “She wouldn’t care for that—she wouldn’t tell you,” Miss Tita + “She wouldn’t care for that—she wouldn’t tell you,” Miss Tita replied. </p> <p> - “I don’t care what she cares for! She MUST tell me—it’s not a chance - to be lost.” + “I don’t care what she cares for! She <em>must</em> tell me—it’s not a + chance to be lost.” </p> <p> - “Oh, you should have come twenty years ago: then she still talked about - him.” + “Oh, you should have come twenty years ago: then she still talked about + him.” </p> <p> - “And what did she say?” I asked eagerly. + “And what did she say?” I asked eagerly. </p> <p> - “I don’t know—that he liked her immensely.” + “I don’t know—that he liked her immensely.” </p> <p> - “And she—didn’t she like him?” + “And she—didn’t she like him?” </p> <p> - “She said he was a god.” Miss Tita gave me this information flatly, + “She said he was a god.” Miss Tita gave me this information flatly, without expression; her tone might have made it a piece of trivial gossip. But it stirred me deeply as she dropped the words into the summer night; it seemed such a direct testimony. </p> <p> - “Fancy, fancy!” I murmured. And then, “Tell me this, please—has she - got a portrait of him? They are distressingly rare.” + “Fancy, fancy!” I murmured. And then, “Tell me this, please—has she + got a portrait of him? They are distressingly rare.” </p> <p> - “A portrait? I don’t know,” said Miss Tita; and now there was discomfiture - in her face. “Well, good night!” she added; and she turned into the house. + “A portrait? I don’t know,” said Miss Tita; and now there was discomfiture + in her face. “Well, good night!” she added; and she turned into the house. </p> <p> I accompanied her into the wide, dusky, stone-paved passage which on the @@ -1953,71 +1918,71 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger the garden, at the other upon the canal, and was lighted now only by the small lamp that was always left for me to take up as I went to bed. An extinguished candle which Miss Tita apparently had brought down with her - stood on the same table with it. “Good night, good night!” I replied, - keeping beside her as she went to get her light. “Surely you would know, - shouldn’t you, if she had one?” + stood on the same table with it. “Good night, good night!” I replied, + keeping beside her as she went to get her light. “Surely you would know, + shouldn’t you, if she had one?” </p> <p> - “If she had what?” the poor lady asked, looking at me queerly over the + “If she had what?” the poor lady asked, looking at me queerly over the flame of her candle. </p> <p> - “A portrait of the god. I don’t know what I wouldn’t give to see it.” + “A portrait of the god. I don’t know what I wouldn’t give to see it.” </p> <p> - “I don’t know what she has got. She keeps her things locked up.” And Miss + “I don’t know what she has got. She keeps her things locked up.” And Miss Tita went away, toward the staircase, with the sense evidently that she had said too much. </p> <p> - I let her go—I wished not to frighten her—and I contented + I let her go—I wished not to frighten her—and I contented myself with remarking that Miss Bordereau would not have locked up such a - glorious possession as that—a thing a person would be proud of and + glorious possession as that—a thing a person would be proud of and hang up in a prominent place on the parlor wall. Therefore of course she had not any portrait. Miss Tita made no direct answer to this and, candle in hand, with her back to me, ascended two or three stairs. Then she stopped short and turned round, looking at me across the dusky space. </p> <p> - “Do you write—do you write?” There was a shake in her voice—she + “Do you write—do you write?” There was a shake in her voice—she could scarcely bring out what she wanted to ask. </p> <p> - “Do I write? Oh, don’t speak of my writing on the same day with Aspern’s!” + “Do I write? Oh, don’t speak of my writing on the same day with Aspern’s!” </p> <p> - “Do you write about HIM—do you pry into his life?” + “Do you write about <em>him</em>—do you pry into his life?” </p> <p> - “Ah, that’s your aunt’s question; it can’t be yours!” I said, in a tone of + “Ah, that’s your aunt’s question; it can’t be yours!” I said, in a tone of slightly wounded sensibility. </p> <p> - “All the more reason then that you should answer it. Do you, please?” + “All the more reason then that you should answer it. Do you, please?” </p> <p> I thought I had allowed for the falsehoods I should have to tell; but I found that in fact when it came to the point I had not. Besides, now that I had an opening there was a kind of relief in being frank. Lastly (it was perhaps fanciful, even fatuous), I guessed that Miss Tita personally would - not in the last resort be less my friend. So after a moment’s hesitation I - answered, “Yes, I have written about him and I am looking for more - material. In heaven’s name have you got any?” + not in the last resort be less my friend. So after a moment’s hesitation I + answered, “Yes, I have written about him and I am looking for more + material. In heaven’s name have you got any?” </p> <p> - “Santo Dio!” she exclaimed, without heeding my question; and she hurried - upstairs and out of sight. I might count upon her in the last resort, but - for the present she was visibly alarmed. The proof of it was that she - began to hide again, so that for a fortnight I never beheld her. I found - my patience ebbing and after four or five days of this I told the gardener - to stop the flowers. + “<i lang="it">Santo Dio!</i>” she exclaimed, without heeding my question; + and she hurried upstairs and out of sight. I might count upon her in the + last resort, but for the present she was visibly alarmed. The proof of it + was that she began to hide again, so that for a fortnight I never beheld + her. I found my patience ebbing and after four or five days of this I told + the gardener to stop the flowers. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <a id="link2H_4_0006"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> VI @@ -2031,47 +1996,47 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger told me that Miss Bordereau wished to see me: she would take me into the room at that moment if I had time. If I had been late for a love tryst I would have stayed for this, and I quickly signified that I should be - delighted to wait upon the old lady. “She wants to talk with you—to - know you,” Miss Tita said, smiling as if she herself appreciated that - idea; and she led me to the door of her aunt’s apartment. I stopped her a + delighted to wait upon the old lady. “She wants to talk with you—to + know you,” Miss Tita said, smiling as if she herself appreciated that + idea; and she led me to the door of her aunt’s apartment. I stopped her a moment before she had opened it, looking at her with some curiosity. I told her that this was a great satisfaction to me and a great honor; but all the same I should like to ask what had made Miss Bordereau change so - suddenly. It was only the other day that she wouldn’t suffer me near her. + suddenly. It was only the other day that she wouldn’t suffer me near her. Miss Tita was not embarrassed by my question; she had as many little unexpected serenities as if she told fibs, but the odd part of them was - that they had on the contrary their source in her truthfulness. “Oh, my - aunt changes,” she answered; “it’s so terribly dull—I suppose she’s - tired.” + that they had on the contrary their source in her truthfulness. “Oh, my + aunt changes,” she answered; “it’s so terribly dull—I suppose she’s + tired.” </p> <p> - “But you told me that she wanted more and more to be alone.” + “But you told me that she wanted more and more to be alone.” </p> <p> - Poor Miss Tita colored, as if she found me over-insistent. “Well, if you - don’t believe she wants to see you—I haven’t invented it! I think - people often are capricious when they are very old.” + Poor Miss Tita colored, as if she found me over-insistent. “Well, if you + don’t believe she wants to see you—I haven’t invented it! I think + people often are capricious when they are very old.” </p> <p> - “That’s perfectly true. I only wanted to be clear as to whether you have - repeated to her what I told you the other night.” + “That’s perfectly true. I only wanted to be clear as to whether you have + repeated to her what I told you the other night.” </p> <p> - “What you told me?” + “What you told me?” </p> <p> - “About Jeffrey Aspern—that I am looking for materials.” + “About Jeffrey Aspern—that I am looking for materials.” </p> <p> - “If I had told her do you think she would have sent for you?” + “If I had told her do you think she would have sent for you?” </p> <p> - “That’s exactly what I want to know. If she wants to keep him to herself - she might have sent for me to tell me so.” + “That’s exactly what I want to know. If she wants to keep him to herself + she might have sent for me to tell me so.” </p> <p> - “She won’t speak of him,” said Miss Tita. Then as she opened the door she - added in a lower tone, “I have told her nothing.” + “She won’t speak of him,” said Miss Tita. Then as she opened the door she + added in a lower tone, “I have told her nothing.” </p> <p> The old woman was sitting in the same place in which I had seen her last, @@ -2080,31 +2045,31 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger she sat silent she saw me clearly. I made no motion to shake hands with her; I felt too well on this occasion that that was out of place forever. It had been sufficiently enjoined upon me that she was too sacred for that - sort of reciprocity—too venerable to touch. There was something so + sort of reciprocity—too venerable to touch. There was something so grim in her aspect (it was partly the accident of her green shade), as I stood there to be measured, that I ceased on the spot to feel any doubt as to her knowing my secret, though I did not in the least suspect that Miss Tita had not just spoken the truth. She had not betrayed me, but the old - woman’s brooding instinct had served her; she had turned me over and over + woman’s brooding instinct had served her; she had turned me over and over in the long, still hours, and she had guessed. The worst of it was that she looked terribly like an old woman who at a pinch would burn her - papers. Miss Tita pushed a chair forward, saying to me, “This will be a - good place for you to sit.” As I took possession of it I asked after Miss - Bordereau’s health; expressed the hope that in spite of the very hot - weather it was satisfactory. She replied that it was good enough—good + papers. Miss Tita pushed a chair forward, saying to me, “This will be a + good place for you to sit.” As I took possession of it I asked after Miss + Bordereau’s health; expressed the hope that in spite of the very hot + weather it was satisfactory. She replied that it was good enough—good enough; that it was a great thing to be alive. </p> <p> - “Oh, as to that, it depends upon what you compare it with!” I exclaimed, + “Oh, as to that, it depends upon what you compare it with!” I exclaimed, laughing. </p> <p> - “I don’t compare—I don’t compare. If I did that I should have given - everything up long ago.” + “I don’t compare—I don’t compare. If I did that I should have given + everything up long ago.” </p> <p> I liked to think that this was a subtle allusion to the rapture she had - known in the society of Jeffrey Aspern—though it was true that such + known in the society of Jeffrey Aspern—though it was true that such an allusion would have accorded ill with the wish I imputed to her to keep him buried in her soul. What it accorded with was my constant conviction that no human being had ever had a more delightful social gift than his, @@ -2114,9 +2079,9 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger very remarkable conversation would come off between us. </p> <p> - “It’s about the beautiful flowers,” said the old lady; “you sent us so - many—I ought to have thanked you for them before. But I don’t write - letters and I receive only at long intervals.” + “It’s about the beautiful flowers,” said the old lady; “you sent us so + many—I ought to have thanked you for them before. But I don’t write + letters and I receive only at long intervals.” </p> <p> She had not thanked me while the flowers continued to come, but she @@ -2126,118 +2091,118 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger gold from me, and I privately rejoiced at the happy thought I had had in suspending my tribute. She had missed it and she was willing to make a concession to bring it back. At the first sign of this concession I could - only go to meet her. “I am afraid you have not had many, of late, but they - shall begin again immediately—tomorrow, tonight.” + only go to meet her. “I am afraid you have not had many, of late, but they + shall begin again immediately—tomorrow, tonight.” </p> <p> - “Oh, do send us some tonight!” Miss Tita cried, as if it were an immense + “Oh, do send us some tonight!” Miss Tita cried, as if it were an immense circumstance. </p> <p> - “What else should you do with them? It isn’t a manly taste to make a bower - of your room,” the old woman remarked. + “What else should you do with them? It isn’t a manly taste to make a bower + of your room,” the old woman remarked. </p> <p> - “I don’t make a bower of my room, but I am exceedingly fond of growing + “I don’t make a bower of my room, but I am exceedingly fond of growing flowers, of watching their ways. There is nothing unmanly in that: it has been the amusement of philosophers, of statesmen in retirement; even I - think of great captains.” + think of great captains.” </p> <p> - “I suppose you know you can sell them—those you don’t use,” Miss - Bordereau went on. “I daresay they wouldn’t give you much for them; still, - you could make a bargain.” + “I suppose you know you can sell them—those you don’t use,” Miss + Bordereau went on. “I daresay they wouldn’t give you much for them; still, + you could make a bargain.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I have never made a bargain, as you ought to know. My gardener - disposes of them and I ask no questions.” + “Oh, I have never made a bargain, as you ought to know. My gardener + disposes of them and I ask no questions.” </p> <p> - “I would ask a few, I can promise you!” said Miss Bordereau; and it was + “I would ask a few, I can promise you!” said Miss Bordereau; and it was the first time I had heard her laugh. I could not get used to the idea that this vision of pecuniary profit was what drew out the divine Juliana most. </p> <p> - “Come into the garden yourself and pick them; come as often as you like; - come every day. They are all for you,” I pursued, addressing Miss Tita and + “Come into the garden yourself and pick them; come as often as you like; + come every day. They are all for you,” I pursued, addressing Miss Tita and carrying off this veracious statement by treating it as an innocent joke. - “I can’t imagine why she doesn’t come down,” I added, for Miss Bordereau’s + “I can’t imagine why she doesn’t come down,” I added, for Miss Bordereau’s benefit. </p> <p> - “You must make her come; you must come up and fetch her,” said the old - woman, to my stupefaction. “That odd thing you have made in the corner - would be a capital place for her to sit.” + “You must make her come; you must come up and fetch her,” said the old + woman, to my stupefaction. “That odd thing you have made in the corner + would be a capital place for her to sit.” </p> <p> The allusion to my arbor was irreverent; it confirmed the impression I had already received that there was a flicker of impertinence in Miss - Bordereau’s talk, a strange mocking lambency which must have been a part + Bordereau’s talk, a strange mocking lambency which must have been a part of her adventurous youth and which had outlived passions and faculties. - Nonetheless I asked, “Wouldn’t it be possible for you to come down there - yourself? Wouldn’t it do you good to sit there in the shade, in the sweet - air?” + Nonetheless I asked, “Wouldn’t it be possible for you to come down there + yourself? Wouldn’t it do you good to sit there in the shade, in the sweet + air?” </p> <p> - “Oh, sir, when I move out of this it won’t be to sit in the air, and I’m - afraid that any that may be stirring around me won’t be particularly - sweet! It will be a very dark shade indeed. But that won’t be just yet,” + “Oh, sir, when I move out of this it won’t be to sit in the air, and I’m + afraid that any that may be stirring around me won’t be particularly + sweet! It will be a very dark shade indeed. But that won’t be just yet,” Miss Bordereau continued cannily, as if to correct any hopes that this courageous allusion to the last receptacle of her mortality might lead me - to entertain. “I have sat here many a day and I have had enough of arbors - in my time. But I’m not afraid to wait till I’m called.” + to entertain. “I have sat here many a day and I have had enough of arbors + in my time. But I’m not afraid to wait till I’m called.” </p> <p> Miss Tita had expected some interesting talk, but perhaps she found it - less genial on her aunt’s side (considering that I had been sent for with + less genial on her aunt’s side (considering that I had been sent for with a civil intention) than she had hoped. As if to give the conversation a turn that would put our companion in a light more favorable she said to - me, “Didn’t I tell you the other night that she had sent me out? You see - that I can do what I like!” + me, “Didn’t I tell you the other night that she had sent me out? You see + that I can do what I like!” </p> <p> - “Do you pity her—do you teach her to pity herself?” Miss Bordereau - demanded before I had time to answer this appeal. “She has a much easier - life than I had when I was her age.” + “Do you pity her—do you teach her to pity herself?” Miss Bordereau + demanded before I had time to answer this appeal. “She has a much easier + life than I had when I was her age.” </p> <p> - “You must remember that it has been quite open to me to think you rather - inhuman.” + “You must remember that it has been quite open to me to think you rather + inhuman.” </p> <p> - “Inhuman? That’s what the poets used to call the women a hundred years - ago. Don’t try that; you won’t do as well as they!” Juliana declared. - “There is no more poetry in the world—that I know of at least. But I - won’t bandy words with you,” she pursued, and I well remember the - old-fashioned, artificial sound she gave to the speech. “You have made me - talk, talk! It isn’t good for me at all.” I got up at this and told her I - would take no more of her time; but she detained me to ask, “Do you + “Inhuman? That’s what the poets used to call the women a hundred years + ago. Don’t try that; you won’t do as well as they!” Juliana declared. + “There is no more poetry in the world—that I know of at least. But I + won’t bandy words with you,” she pursued, and I well remember the + old-fashioned, artificial sound she gave to the speech. “You have made me + talk, talk! It isn’t good for me at all.” I got up at this and told her I + would take no more of her time; but she detained me to ask, “Do you remember, the day I saw you about the rooms, that you offered us the use - of your gondola?” And when I assented, promptly, struck again with her - disposition to make a “good thing” of being there and wondering what she - now had in her eye, she broke out, “Why don’t you take that girl out in it - and show her the place?” + of your gondola?” And when I assented, promptly, struck again with her + disposition to make a “good thing” of being there and wondering what she + now had in her eye, she broke out, “Why don’t you take that girl out in it + and show her the place?” </p> <p> - “Oh, dear Aunt, what do you want to do with me?” cried the “girl” with a - piteous quaver. “I know all about the place!” + “Oh, dear Aunt, what do you want to do with me?” cried the “girl” with a + piteous quaver. “I know all about the place!” </p> <p> - “Well then, go with him as a cicerone!” said Miss Bordereau with an effort - of something like cruelty in her implacable power of retort—an + “Well then, go with him as a cicerone!” said Miss Bordereau with an effort + of something like cruelty in her implacable power of retort—an incongruous suggestion that she was a sarcastic, profane, cynical old - woman. “Haven’t we heard that there have been all sorts of changes in all - these years? You ought to see them and at your age (I don’t mean because - you’re so young) you ought to take the chances that come. You’re old - enough, my dear, and this gentleman won’t hurt you. He will show you the - famous sunsets, if they still go on—DO they go on? The sun set for - me so long ago. But that’s not a reason. Besides, I shall never miss you; - you think you are too important. Take her to the Piazza; it used to be - very pretty,” Miss Bordereau continued, addressing herself to me. “What - have they done with the funny old church? I hope it hasn’t tumbled down. + woman. “Haven’t we heard that there have been all sorts of changes in all + these years? You ought to see them and at your age (I don’t mean because + you’re so young) you ought to take the chances that come. You’re old + enough, my dear, and this gentleman won’t hurt you. He will show you the + famous sunsets, if they still go on—<em>do</em> they go on? The sun set + for me so long ago. But that’s not a reason. Besides, I shall never miss + you; you think you are too important. Take her to the Piazza; it used to + be very pretty,” Miss Bordereau continued, addressing herself to me. “What + have they done with the funny old church? I hope it hasn’t tumbled down. Let her look at the shops; she may take some money, she may buy what she - likes.” + likes.” </p> <p> Poor Miss Tita had got up, discountenanced and helpless, and as we stood @@ -2250,42 +2215,42 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger service; he was a capital oar and she might have every confidence. Miss Tita, without definitely answering this speech, looked away from me, out of the window, as if she were going to cry; and I remarked that once we - had Miss Bordereau’s approval we could easily come to an understanding. We + had Miss Bordereau’s approval we could easily come to an understanding. We would take an hour, whichever she liked, one of the very next days. As I made my obeisance to the old lady I asked her if she would kindly permit me to see her again. </p> <p> - For a moment she said nothing; then she inquired, “Is it very necessary to - your happiness?” + For a moment she said nothing; then she inquired, “Is it very necessary to + your happiness?” </p> <p> - “It diverts me more than I can say.” + “It diverts me more than I can say.” </p> <p> - “You are wonderfully civil. Don’t you know it almost kills ME?” + “You are wonderfully civil. Don’t you know it almost kills <em>me</em>?” </p> <p> - “How can I believe that when I see you more animated, more brilliant than - when I came in?” + “How can I believe that when I see you more animated, more brilliant than + when I came in?” </p> <p> - “That is very true, Aunt,” said Miss Tita. “I think it does you good.” + “That is very true, Aunt,” said Miss Tita. “I think it does you good.” </p> <p> - “Isn’t it touching, the solicitude we each have that the other shall enjoy - herself?” sneered Miss Bordereau. “If you think me brilliant today you - don’t know what you are talking about; you have never seen an agreeable - woman. Don’t try to pay me a compliment; I have been spoiled,” she went - on. “My door is shut, but you may sometimes knock.” + “Isn’t it touching, the solicitude we each have that the other shall enjoy + herself?” sneered Miss Bordereau. “If you think me brilliant today you + don’t know what you are talking about; you have never seen an agreeable + woman. Don’t try to pay me a compliment; I have been spoiled,” she went + on. “My door is shut, but you may sometimes knock.” </p> <p> With this she dismissed me, and I left the room. The latch closed behind me, but Miss Tita, contrary to my hope, had remained within. I passed slowly across the hall and before taking my way downstairs I waited a little. My hope was answered; after a minute Miss Tita followed me. - “That’s a delightful idea about the Piazza,” I said. “When will you go—tonight, - tomorrow?” + “That’s a delightful idea about the Piazza,” I said. “When will you + go—tonight, tomorrow?” </p> <p> She had been disconcerted, as I have mentioned, but I had already @@ -2300,11 +2265,11 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger only thing she could conceive, for granted. She told me she did not know what had got into her aunt; she had changed so quickly, she had got some idea. I replied that she must find out what the idea was and then let me - know; we would go and have an ice together at Florian’s, and she should + know; we would go and have an ice together at Florian’s, and she should tell me while we listened to the band. </p> <p> - “Oh, it will take me a long time to find out!” she said, rather ruefully; + “Oh, it will take me a long time to find out!” she said, rather ruefully; and she could promise me this satisfaction neither for that night nor for the next. I was patient now, however, for I felt that I had only to wait; and in fact at the end of the week, one lovely evening after dinner, she @@ -2324,93 +2289,93 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger listened to the plash of the oars, which grew louder and more musically liquid as we passed into narrow canals, as if it were a revelation of Venice. When I asked her how long it was since she had been in a boat she - answered, “Oh, I don’t know; a long time—not since my aunt began to - be ill.” This was not the only example she gave me of her extreme + answered, “Oh, I don’t know; a long time—not since my aunt began to + be ill.” This was not the only example she gave me of her extreme vagueness about the previous years and the line which marked off the period when Miss Bordereau flourished. I was not at liberty to keep her - out too long, but we took a considerable GIRO before going to the Piazza. - I asked her no questions, keeping the conversation on purpose away from - her domestic situation and the things I wanted to know; I poured treasures - of information about Venice into her ears, described Florence and Rome, - discoursed to her on the charms and advantages of travel. She reclined, - receptive, on the deep leather cushions, turned her eyes conscientiously - to everything I pointed out to her, and never mentioned to me till - sometime afterward that she might be supposed to know Florence better than - I, as she had lived there for years with Miss Bordereau. At last she - asked, with the shy impatience of a child, “Are we not really going to the - Piazza? That’s what I want to see!” I immediately gave the order that we - should go straight; and then we sat silent with the expectation of - arrival. As some time still passed, however, she said suddenly, of her own - movement, “I have found out what is the matter with my aunt: she is afraid - you will go!” + out too long, but we took a considerable <i lang="it">giro</i> before + going to the Piazza. I asked her no questions, keeping the conversation on + purpose away from her domestic situation and the things I wanted to know; + I poured treasures of information about Venice into her ears, described + Florence and Rome, discoursed to her on the charms and advantages of + travel. She reclined, receptive, on the deep leather cushions, turned her + eyes conscientiously to everything I pointed out to her, and never + mentioned to me till sometime afterward that she might be supposed to know + Florence better than I, as she had lived there for years with Miss + Bordereau. At last she asked, with the shy impatience of a child, “Are we + not really going to the Piazza? That’s what I want to see!” I immediately + gave the order that we should go straight; and then we sat silent with the + expectation of arrival. As some time still passed, however, she said + suddenly, of her own movement, “I have found out what is the matter with + my aunt: she is afraid you will go!” </p> <p> - “What has put that into her head?” + “What has put that into her head?” </p> <p> - “She has had an idea you have not been happy. That is why she is different - now.” + “She has had an idea you have not been happy. That is why she is different + now.” </p> <p> - “You mean she wants to make me happier?” + “You mean she wants to make me happier?” </p> <p> - “Well, she wants you not to go; she wants you to stay.” + “Well, she wants you not to go; she wants you to stay.” </p> <p> - “I suppose you mean on account of the rent,” I remarked candidly. + “I suppose you mean on account of the rent,” I remarked candidly. </p> <p> - Miss Tita’s candor showed itself a match for my own. “Yes, you know; so - that I shall have more.” + Miss Tita’s candor showed itself a match for my own. “Yes, you know; so + that I shall have more.” </p> <p> - “How much does she want you to have?” I asked, laughing. “She ought to fix - the sum, so that I may stay till it’s made up.” + “How much does she want you to have?” I asked, laughing. “She ought to fix + the sum, so that I may stay till it’s made up.” </p> <p> - “Oh, that wouldn’t please me,” said Miss Tita. “It would be unheard of, - your taking that trouble.” + “Oh, that wouldn’t please me,” said Miss Tita. “It would be unheard of, + your taking that trouble.” </p> <p> - “But suppose I should have my own reasons for staying in Venice?” + “But suppose I should have my own reasons for staying in Venice?” </p> <p> - “Then it would be better for you to stay in some other house.” + “Then it would be better for you to stay in some other house.” </p> <p> - “And what would your aunt say to that?” + “And what would your aunt say to that?” </p> <p> - “She wouldn’t like it at all. But I should think you would do well to give - up your reasons and go away altogether.” + “She wouldn’t like it at all. But I should think you would do well to give + up your reasons and go away altogether.” </p> <p> - “Dear Miss Tita,” I said, “it’s not so easy to give them up!” + “Dear Miss Tita,” I said, “it’s not so easy to give them up!” </p> <p> - She made no immediate answer to this, but after a moment she broke out: “I - think I know what your reasons are!” + She made no immediate answer to this, but after a moment she broke out: “I + think I know what your reasons are!” </p> <p> - “I daresay, because the other night I almost told you how I wish you would - help me to make them good.” + “I daresay, because the other night I almost told you how I wish you would + help me to make them good.” </p> <p> - “I can’t do that without being false to my aunt.” + “I can’t do that without being false to my aunt.” </p> <p> - “What do you mean, being false to her?” + “What do you mean, being false to her?” </p> <p> - “Why, she would never consent to what you want. She has been asked, she - has been written to. It made her fearfully angry.” + “Why, she would never consent to what you want. She has been asked, she + has been written to. It made her fearfully angry.” </p> <p> - “Then she HAS got papers of value?” I demanded quickly. + “Then she <em>has</em> got papers of value?” I demanded quickly. </p> <p> - “Oh, she has got everything!” sighed Miss Tita with a curious weariness, a + “Oh, she has got everything!” sighed Miss Tita with a curious weariness, a sudden lapse into gloom. </p> <p> @@ -2418,15 +2383,15 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger evidence. For some minutes I was too agitated to speak, and in the interval the gondola approached the Piazzetta. After we had disembarked I asked my companion whether she would rather walk round the square or go - and sit at the door of the cafe; to which she replied that she would do - whichever I liked best—I must only remember again how little time + and sit at the door of the café; to which she replied that she would do + whichever I liked best—I must only remember again how little time she had. I assured her there was plenty to do both, and we made the circuit of the long arcades. Her spirits revived at the sight of the bright shop windows, and she lingered and stopped, admiring or disapproving of their contents, asking me what I thought of things, theorizing about prices. My attention wandered from her; her words of a - while before, “Oh, she has got everything!” echoed so in my consciousness. - We sat down at last in the crowded circle at Florian’s, finding an + while before, “Oh, she has got everything!” echoed so in my consciousness. + We sat down at last in the crowded circle at Florian’s, finding an unoccupied table among those that were ranged in the square. It was a splendid night and all the world was out-of-doors; Miss Tita could not have wished the elements more auspicious for her return to society. I saw @@ -2438,206 +2403,206 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger of appreciation, the flush of a sort of wounded surprise. She became silent, as if she were thinking with a secret sadness of opportunities, forever lost, which ought to have been easy; and this gave me a chance to - say to her, “Did you mean a while ago that your aunt has a plan of keeping - me on by admitting me occasionally to her presence?” + say to her, “Did you mean a while ago that your aunt has a plan of keeping + me on by admitting me occasionally to her presence?” </p> <p> - “She thinks it will make a difference with you if you sometimes see her. + “She thinks it will make a difference with you if you sometimes see her. She wants you so much to stay that she is willing to make that - concession.” + concession.” </p> <p> - “And what good does she consider that I think it will do me to see her?” + “And what good does she consider that I think it will do me to see her?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know; she thinks it’s interesting,” said Miss Tita simply. “You - told her you found it so.” + “I don’t know; she thinks it’s interesting,” said Miss Tita simply. “You + told her you found it so.” </p> <p> - “So I did; but everyone doesn’t think so.” + “So I did; but everyone doesn’t think so.” </p> <p> - “No, of course not, or more people would try.” + “No, of course not, or more people would try.” </p> <p> - “Well, if she is capable of making that reflection she is capable of - making this further one,” I went on: “that I must have a particular reason - for not doing as others do, in spite of the interest she offers—for - not leaving her alone.” Miss Tita looked as if she failed to grasp this - rather complicated proposition; so I continued, “If you have not told her - what I said to you the other night may she not at least have guessed it?” + “Well, if she is capable of making that reflection she is capable of + making this further one,” I went on: “that I must have a particular reason + for not doing as others do, in spite of the interest she offers—for + not leaving her alone.” Miss Tita looked as if she failed to grasp this + rather complicated proposition; so I continued, “If you have not told her + what I said to you the other night may she not at least have guessed it?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know; she is very suspicious.” + “I don’t know; she is very suspicious.” </p> <p> - “But she has not been made so by indiscreet curiosity, by persecution?” + “But she has not been made so by indiscreet curiosity, by persecution?” </p> <p> - “No, no; it isn’t that,” said Miss Tita, turning on me a somewhat troubled - face. “I don’t know how to say it: it’s on account of something—ages - ago, before I was born—in her life.” + “No, no; it isn’t that,” said Miss Tita, turning on me a somewhat troubled + face. “I don’t know how to say it: it’s on account of something—ages + ago, before I was born—in her life.” </p> <p> - “Something? What sort of thing?” I asked as if I myself could have no + “Something? What sort of thing?” I asked as if I myself could have no idea. </p> <p> - “Oh, she has never told me,” Miss Tita answered; and I was sure she was + “Oh, she has never told me,” Miss Tita answered; and I was sure she was speaking the truth. </p> <p> Her extreme limpidity was almost provoking, and I felt for the moment that - she would have been more satisfactory if she had been less ingenuous. “Do - you suppose it’s something to which Jeffrey Aspern’s letters and papers—I - mean the things in her possession—have reference?” + she would have been more satisfactory if she had been less ingenuous. “Do + you suppose it’s something to which Jeffrey Aspern’s letters and papers—I + mean the things in her possession—have reference?” </p> <p> - “I daresay it is!” my companion exclaimed as if this were a very happy - suggestion. “I have never looked at any of those things.” + “I daresay it is!” my companion exclaimed as if this were a very happy + suggestion. “I have never looked at any of those things.” </p> <p> - “None of them? Then how do you know what they are?” + “None of them? Then how do you know what they are?” </p> <p> - “I don’t,” said Miss Tita placidly. “I have never had them in my hands. - But I have seen them when she has had them out.” + “I don’t,” said Miss Tita placidly. “I have never had them in my hands. + But I have seen them when she has had them out.” </p> <p> - “Does she have them out often?” + “Does she have them out often?” </p> <p> - “Not now, but she used to. She is very fond of them.” + “Not now, but she used to. She is very fond of them.” </p> <p> - “In spite of their being compromising?” + “In spite of their being compromising?” </p> <p> - “Compromising?” Miss Tita repeated as if she was ignorant of the meaning + “Compromising?” Miss Tita repeated as if she was ignorant of the meaning of the word. I felt almost as one who corrupts the innocence of youth. </p> <p> - “I mean their containing painful memories.” + “I mean their containing painful memories.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I don’t think they are painful.” + “Oh, I don’t think they are painful.” </p> <p> - “You mean you don’t think they affect her reputation?” + “You mean you don’t think they affect her reputation?” </p> <p> - At this a singular look came into the face of Miss Bordereau’s niece—a + At this a singular look came into the face of Miss Bordereau’s niece—a kind of confession of helplessness, an appeal to me to deal fairly, generously with her. I had brought her to the Piazza, placed her among charming influences, paid her an attention she appreciated, and now I - seemed to let her perceive that all this had been a bribe—a bribe to + seemed to let her perceive that all this had been a bribe—a bribe to make her turn in some way against her aunt. She was of a yielding nature and capable of doing almost anything to please a person who was kind to her; but the greatest kindness of all would be not to presume too much on this. It was strange enough, as I afterward thought, that she had not the - least air of resenting my want of consideration for her aunt’s character, + least air of resenting my want of consideration for her aunt’s character, which would have been in the worst possible taste if anything less vital - (from my point of view) had been at stake. I don’t think she really - measured it. “Do you mean that she did something bad?” she asked in a + (from my point of view) had been at stake. I don’t think she really + measured it. “Do you mean that she did something bad?” she asked in a moment. </p> <p> - “Heaven forbid I should say so, and it’s none of my business. Besides, if - she did,” I added, laughing, “it was in other ages, in another world. But - why should she not destroy her papers?” + “Heaven forbid I should say so, and it’s none of my business. Besides, if + she did,” I added, laughing, “it was in other ages, in another world. But + why should she not destroy her papers?” </p> <p> - “Oh, she loves them too much.” + “Oh, she loves them too much.” </p> <p> - “Even now, when she may be near her end?” + “Even now, when she may be near her end?” </p> <p> - “Perhaps when she’s sure of that she will.” + “Perhaps when she’s sure of that she will.” </p> <p> - “Well, Miss Tita,” I said, “it’s just what I should like you to prevent.” + “Well, Miss Tita,” I said, “it’s just what I should like you to prevent.” </p> <p> - “How can I prevent it?” + “How can I prevent it?” </p> <p> - “Couldn’t you get them away from her?” + “Couldn’t you get them away from her?” </p> <p> - “And give them to you?” + “And give them to you?” </p> <p> This put the case very crudely, though I am sure there was no irony in her - intention. “Oh, I mean that you might let me see them and look them over. - It isn’t for myself; there is no personal avidity in my desire. It is + intention. “Oh, I mean that you might let me see them and look them over. + It isn’t for myself; there is no personal avidity in my desire. It is simply that they would be of such immense interest to the public, such - immeasurable importance as a contribution to Jeffrey Aspern’s history.” + immeasurable importance as a contribution to Jeffrey Aspern’s history.” </p> <p> She listened to me in her usual manner, as if my speech were full of reference to things she had never heard of, and I felt particularly like the reporter of a newspaper who forces his way into a house of mourning. - This was especially the case when after a moment she said. “There was a + This was especially the case when after a moment she said. “There was a gentleman who some time ago wrote to her in very much those words. He also - wanted her papers.” + wanted her papers.” </p> <p> - “And did she answer him?” I asked, rather ashamed of myself for not having + “And did she answer him?” I asked, rather ashamed of myself for not having her rectitude. </p> <p> - “Only when he had written two or three times. He made her very angry.” + “Only when he had written two or three times. He made her very angry.” </p> <p> - “And what did she say?” + “And what did she say?” </p> <p> - “She said he was a devil,” Miss Tita replied simply. + “She said he was a devil,” Miss Tita replied simply. </p> <p> - “She used that expression in her letter?” + “She used that expression in her letter?” </p> <p> - “Oh, no; she said it to me. She made me write to him.” + “Oh, no; she said it to me. She made me write to him.” </p> <p> - “And what did you say?” + “And what did you say?” </p> <p> - “I told him there were no papers at all.” + “I told him there were no papers at all.” </p> <p> - “Ah, poor gentleman!” I exclaimed. + “Ah, poor gentleman!” I exclaimed. </p> <p> - “I knew there were, but I wrote what she bade me.” + “I knew there were, but I wrote what she bade me.” </p> <p> - “Of course you had to do that. But I hope I shall not pass for a devil.” + “Of course you had to do that. But I hope I shall not pass for a devil.” </p> <p> - “It will depend upon what you ask me to do for you,” said Miss Tita, + “It will depend upon what you ask me to do for you,” said Miss Tita, smiling. </p> <p> - “Oh, if there is a chance of YOUR thinking so my affair is in a bad way! I - shan’t ask you to steal for me, nor even to fib—for you can’t fib, - unless on paper. But the principal thing is this—to prevent her from - destroying the papers.” + “Oh, if there is a chance of <em>your</em> thinking so my affair is in a + bad way! I shan’t ask you to steal for me, nor even to fib—for you can’t + fib, unless on paper. But the principal thing is this—to prevent her from + destroying the papers.” </p> <p> - “Why, I have no control of her,” said Miss Tita. “It’s she who controls - me.” + “Why, I have no control of her,” said Miss Tita. “It’s she who controls + me.” </p> <p> - “But she doesn’t control her own arms and legs, does she? The way she - would naturally destroy her letters would be to burn them. Now she can’t - burn them without fire, and she can’t get fire unless you give it to her.” + “But she doesn’t control her own arms and legs, does she? The way she + would naturally destroy her letters would be to burn them. Now she can’t + burn them without fire, and she can’t get fire unless you give it to her.” </p> <p> - “I have always done everything she has asked,” my companion rejoined. - “Besides, there’s Olimpia.” + “I have always done everything she has asked,” my companion rejoined. + “Besides, there’s Olimpia.” </p> <p> I was on the point of saying that Olimpia was probably corruptible, but I @@ -2645,85 +2610,85 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger faithful domestic could not be managed. </p> <p> - “Everyone can be managed by my aunt,” said Miss Tita. And then she + “Everyone can be managed by my aunt,” said Miss Tita. And then she observed that her holiday was over; she must go home. </p> <p> - I laid my hand on her arm, across the table, to stay her a moment. “What I - want of you is a general promise to help me.” + I laid my hand on her arm, across the table, to stay her a moment. “What I + want of you is a general promise to help me.” </p> <p> - “Oh, how can I—how can I?” she asked, wondering and troubled. She + “Oh, how can I—how can I?” she asked, wondering and troubled. She was half-surprised, half-frightened at my wishing to make her play an active part. </p> <p> - “This is the main thing: to watch her carefully and warn me in time, - before she commits that horrible sacrilege.” + “This is the main thing: to watch her carefully and warn me in time, + before she commits that horrible sacrilege.” </p> <p> - “I can’t watch her when she makes me go out.” + “I can’t watch her when she makes me go out.” </p> <p> - “That’s very true.” + “That’s very true.” </p> <p> - “And when you do, too.” + “And when you do, too.” </p> <p> - “Mercy on us; do you think she will have done anything tonight?” + “Mercy on us; do you think she will have done anything tonight?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know; she is very cunning.” + “I don’t know; she is very cunning.” </p> <p> - “Are you trying to frighten me?” I asked. + “Are you trying to frighten me?” I asked. </p> <p> I felt this inquiry sufficiently answered when my companion murmured in a - musing, almost envious way, “Oh, but she loves them—she loves them!” + musing, almost envious way, “Oh, but she loves them—she loves them!” </p> <p> This reflection, repeated with such emphasis, gave me great comfort; but - to obtain more of that balm I said, “If she shouldn’t intend to destroy + to obtain more of that balm I said, “If she shouldn’t intend to destroy the objects we speak of before her death she will probably have made some - disposition by will.” + disposition by will.” </p> <p> - “By will?” + “By will?” </p> <p> - “Hasn’t she made a will for your benefit?” + “Hasn’t she made a will for your benefit?” </p> <p> - “Why, she has so little to leave. That’s why she likes money,” said Miss + “Why, she has so little to leave. That’s why she likes money,” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “Might I ask, since we are really talking things over, what you and she - live on?” + “Might I ask, since we are really talking things over, what you and she + live on?” </p> <p> - “On some money that comes from America, from a lawyer. He sends it every - quarter. It isn’t much!” + “On some money that comes from America, from a lawyer. He sends it every + quarter. It isn’t much!” </p> <p> - “And won’t she have disposed of that?” + “And won’t she have disposed of that?” </p> <p> - My companion hesitated—I saw she was blushing. “I believe it’s - mine,” she said; and the look and tone which accompanied these words + My companion hesitated—I saw she was blushing. “I believe it’s + mine,” she said; and the look and tone which accompanied these words betrayed so the absence of the habit of thinking of herself that I almost - thought her charming. The next instant she added, “But she had a lawyer - once, ever so long ago. And some people came and signed something.” + thought her charming. The next instant she added, “But she had a lawyer + once, ever so long ago. And some people came and signed something.” </p> <p> - “They were probably witnesses. And you were not asked to sign? Well then,” - I argued rapidly and hopefully, “it is because you are the legatee; she - has left all her documents to you!” + “They were probably witnesses. And you were not asked to sign? Well then,” + I argued rapidly and hopefully, “it is because you are the legatee; she + has left all her documents to you!” </p> <p> - “If she has it’s with very strict conditions,” Miss Tita responded, rising + “If she has it’s with very strict conditions,” Miss Tita responded, rising quickly, while the movement gave the words a little character of decision. They seemed to imply that the bequest would be accompanied with a command that the articles bequeathed should remain concealed from every @@ -2731,21 +2696,21 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger person to depart from an injunction so solemn. </p> <p> - “Oh, of course you will have to abide by the terms,” I said; and she + “Oh, of course you will have to abide by the terms,” I said; and she uttered nothing to mitigate the severity of this conclusion. Nonetheless, later, just before we disembarked at her own door, on our return, which - had taken place almost in silence, she said to me abruptly, “I will do - what I can to help you.” I was grateful for this—it was very well so + had taken place almost in silence, she said to me abruptly, “I will do + what I can to help you.” I was grateful for this—it was very well so far as it went; but it did not keep me from remembering that night in a worried waking hour that I now had her word for it to reinforce my own impression that the old woman was very cunning. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <a id="link2H_4_0007"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> VII @@ -2768,14 +2733,14 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger door leading to her own quarters stood open, I had at first no glimpse of Miss Tita. The window at which she sat had the afternoon shade and, one of the shutters having been pushed back, she could see the pleasant garden, - where the summer sun had by this time dried up too many of the plants—she + where the summer sun had by this time dried up too many of the plants—she could see the yellow light and the long shadows. </p> <p> - “Have you come to tell me that you will take the rooms for six months - more?” she asked as I approached her, startling me by something coarse in + “Have you come to tell me that you will take the rooms for six months + more?” she asked as I approached her, startling me by something coarse in her cupidity almost as much as if she had not already given me a specimen - of it. Juliana’s desire to make our acquaintance lucrative had been, as I + of it. Juliana’s desire to make our acquaintance lucrative had been, as I have sufficiently indicated, a false note in my image of the woman who had inspired a great poet with immortal lines; but I may say here definitely that I recognized after all that it behooved me to make a large allowance @@ -2796,53 +2761,53 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger I invited myself to go and get one of the chairs that stood, at a distance, against the wall (she had given herself no concern as to whether I should sit or stand); and while I placed it near her I began, gaily, - “Oh, dear madam, what an imagination you have, what an intellectual sweep! + “Oh, dear madam, what an imagination you have, what an intellectual sweep! I am a poor devil of a man of letters who lives from day to day. How can I - take palaces by the year? My existence is precarious. I don’t know whether + take palaces by the year? My existence is precarious. I don’t know whether six months hence I shall have bread to put in my mouth. I have treated myself for once; it has been an immense luxury. But when it comes to going - on—!” + on—!” </p> <p> - “Are your rooms too dear? If they are you can have more for the same - money,” Juliana responded. “We can arrange, we can combinare, as they say - here.” + “Are your rooms too dear? If they are you can have more for the same + money,” Juliana responded. “We can arrange, we can + <i lang="it">combinare</i>, as they say here.” </p> <p> - “Well yes, since you ask me, they are too dear,” I said. “Evidently you - suppose me richer than I am.” + “Well yes, since you ask me, they are too dear,” I said. “Evidently you + suppose me richer than I am.” </p> <p> - She looked at me in her barricaded way. “If you write books don’t you sell - them?” + She looked at me in her barricaded way. “If you write books don’t you sell + them?” </p> <p> - “Do you mean don’t people buy them? A little—not so much as I could - wish. Writing books, unless one be a great genius—and even then!—is + “Do you mean don’t people buy them? A little—not so much as I could + wish. Writing books, unless one be a great genius—and even then!—is the last road to fortune. I think there is no more money to be made by - literature.” + literature.” </p> <p> - “Perhaps you don’t choose good subjects. What do you write about?” Miss + “Perhaps you don’t choose good subjects. What do you write about?” Miss Bordereau inquired. </p> <p> - “About the books of other people. I’m a critic, an historian, in a small - way.” I wondered what she was coming to. + “About the books of other people. I’m a critic, an historian, in a small + way.” I wondered what she was coming to. </p> <p> - “And what other people, now?” + “And what other people, now?” </p> <p> - “Oh, better ones than myself: the great writers mainly—the great - philosophers and poets of the past; those who are dead and gone and can’t - speak for themselves.” + “Oh, better ones than myself: the great writers mainly—the great + philosophers and poets of the past; those who are dead and gone and can’t + speak for themselves.” </p> <p> - “And what do you say about them?” + “And what do you say about them?” </p> <p> - “I say they sometimes attached themselves to very clever women!” I + “I say they sometimes attached themselves to very clever women!” I answered, laughing. I spoke with great deliberation, but as my words fell upon the air they struck me as imprudent. However, I risked them and I was not sorry, for perhaps after all the old woman would be willing to treat. @@ -2851,65 +2816,65 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger she only asked: </p> <p> - “Do you think it’s right to rake up the past?” + “Do you think it’s right to rake up the past?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know that I know what you mean by raking it up; but how can we + “I don’t know that I know what you mean by raking it up; but how can we get at it unless we dig a little? The present has such a rough way of - treading it down.” + treading it down.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I like the past, but I don’t like critics,” the old woman declared + “Oh, I like the past, but I don’t like critics,” the old woman declared with her fine tranquility. </p> <p> - “Neither do I, but I like their discoveries.” + “Neither do I, but I like their discoveries.” </p> <p> - “Aren’t they mostly lies?” + “Aren’t they mostly lies?” </p> <p> - “The lies are what they sometimes discover,” I said, smiling at the quiet - impertinence of this. “They often lay bare the truth.” + “The lies are what they sometimes discover,” I said, smiling at the quiet + impertinence of this. “They often lay bare the truth.” </p> <p> - “The truth is God’s, it isn’t man’s; we had better leave it alone. Who can - judge of it—who can say?” + “The truth is God’s, it isn’t man’s; we had better leave it alone. Who can + judge of it—who can say?” </p> <p> - “We are terribly in the dark, I know,” I admitted; “but if we give up + “We are terribly in the dark, I know,” I admitted; “but if we give up trying what becomes of all the fine things? What becomes of the work I just mentioned, that of the great philosophers and poets? It is all vain - words if there is nothing to measure it by.” + words if there is nothing to measure it by.” </p> <p> - “You talk as if you were a tailor,” said Miss Bordereau whimsically; and - then she added quickly, in a different manner, “This house is very fine; + “You talk as if you were a tailor,” said Miss Bordereau whimsically; and + then she added quickly, in a different manner, “This house is very fine; the proportions are magnificent. Today I wanted to look at this place again. I made them bring me out here. When your man came, just now, to learn if I would see you, I was on the point of sending for you, to ask if - you didn’t mean to go on. I wanted to judge what I’m letting you have. - This sala is very grand,” she pursued, like an auctioneer, moving a - little, as I guessed, her invisible eyes. “I don’t believe you often have - lived in such a house, eh?” + you didn’t mean to go on. I wanted to judge what I’m letting you have. + This sala is very grand,” she pursued, like an auctioneer, moving a + little, as I guessed, her invisible eyes. “I don’t believe you often have + lived in such a house, eh?” </p> <p> - “I can’t often afford to!” I said. + “I can’t often afford to!” I said. </p> <p> - “Well then, how much will you give for six months?” + “Well then, how much will you give for six months?” </p> <p> - I was on the point of exclaiming—and the air of excruciation in my - face would have denoted a moral face—“Don’t, Juliana; for HIS sake, - don’t!” But I controlled myself and asked less passionately: “Why should I - remain so long as that?” + I was on the point of exclaiming—and the air of excruciation in my + face would have denoted a moral face—“Don’t, Juliana; for <em>his</em> + sake, don’t!” But I controlled myself and asked less passionately: “Why + should I remain so long as that?” </p> <p> - “I thought you liked it,” said Miss Bordereau with her shriveled dignity. + “I thought you liked it,” said Miss Bordereau with her shriveled dignity. </p> <p> - “So I thought I should.” + “So I thought I should.” </p> <p> For a moment she said nothing more, and I left my own words to suggest to @@ -2917,20 +2882,21 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger had been disappointed we need not continue the discussion, and this in spite of the fact that I believed her now to have in her mind (however it had come there) what would have told her that my disappointment was - natural. But to my extreme surprise she ended by observing: “If you don’t + natural. But to my extreme surprise she ended by observing: “If you don’t think we have treated you well enough perhaps we can discover some way of - treating you better.” This speech was somehow so incongruous that it made + treating you better.” This speech was somehow so incongruous that it made me laugh again, and I excused myself by saying that she talked as if I - were a sulky boy, pouting in the corner, to be “brought round.” I had not - a grain of complaint to make; and could anything have exceeded Miss Tita’s + were a sulky boy, pouting in the corner, to be “brought round.” I had not + a grain of complaint to make; and could anything have exceeded Miss Tita’s graciousness in accompanying me a few nights before to the Piazza? At this - the old woman went on: “Well, you brought it on yourself!” And then in a - different tone, “She is a very nice girl.” I assented cordially to this + the old woman went on: “Well, you brought it on yourself!” And then in a + different tone, “She is a very nice girl.” I assented cordially to this proposition, and she expressed the hope that I did so not merely to be obliging, but that I really liked her. Meanwhile I wondered still more - what Miss Bordereau was coming to. “Except for me, today,” she said, “she - has not a relation in the world.” Did she by describing her niece as - amiable and unencumbered wish to represent her as a parti? + what Miss Bordereau was coming to. “Except for me, today,” she said, “she + has not a relation in the world.” Did she by describing her niece as + amiable and unencumbered wish to represent her as a + <i lang="fr">parti</i>? </p> <p> It was perfectly true that I could not afford to go on with my rooms at a @@ -2939,20 +2905,20 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger means exhausted, but I should be able to draw upon them only on a more usual Venetian basis. I was willing to pay the venerable woman with whom my pecuniary dealings were such a discord twice as much as any other - padrona di casa would have asked, but I was not willing to pay her twenty - times as much. I told her so plainly, and my plainness appeared to have - some success, for she exclaimed, “Very good; you have done what I asked—you - have made an offer!” + <i lang="it">padrona di casa</i> would have asked, but I was not willing + to pay her twenty times as much. I told her so plainly, and my plainness + appeared to have some success, for she exclaimed, “Very good; you have + done what I asked—you have made an offer!” </p> <p> - “Yes, but not for half a year. Only by the month.” + “Yes, but not for half a year. Only by the month.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I must think of that then.” She seemed disappointed that I would not + “Oh, I must think of that then.” She seemed disappointed that I would not tie myself to a period, and I guessed that she wished both to secure me - and to discourage me; to say severely, “Do you dream that you can get off + and to discourage me; to say severely, “Do you dream that you can get off with less than six months? Do you dream that even by the end of that time - you will be appreciably nearer your victory?” What was more in my mind was + you will be appreciably nearer your victory?” What was more in my mind was that she had a fancy to play me the trick of making me engage myself when in fact she had annihilated the papers. There was a moment when my suspense on this point was so acute that I all but broke out with the @@ -2963,362 +2929,362 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger had said she would think of my proposal and without any formal transition, she drew out of her pocket with an embarrassed hand a small object wrapped in crumpled white paper. She held it there a moment and then she asked, - “Do you know much about curiosities?” + “Do you know much about curiosities?” </p> <p> - “About curiosities?” + “About curiosities?” </p> <p> - “About antiquities, the old gimcracks that people pay so much for today. - Do you know the kind of price they bring?” + “About antiquities, the old gimcracks that people pay so much for today. + Do you know the kind of price they bring?” </p> <p> - I thought I saw what was coming, but I said ingenuously, “Do you want to - buy something?” + I thought I saw what was coming, but I said ingenuously, “Do you want to + buy something?” </p> <p> - “No, I want to sell. What would an amateur give me for that?” She unfolded + “No, I want to sell. What would an amateur give me for that?” She unfolded the white paper and made a motion for me to take from her a small oval portrait. I possessed myself of it with a hand of which I could only hope - that she did not perceive the tremor, and she added, “I would part with it - only for a good price.” + that she did not perceive the tremor, and she added, “I would part with it + only for a good price.” </p> <p> At the first glance I recognized Jeffrey Aspern, and I was well aware that I flushed with the act. As she was watching me however I had the - consistency to exclaim, “What a striking face! Do tell me who it is.” + consistency to exclaim, “What a striking face! Do tell me who it is.” </p> <p> - “It’s an old friend of mine, a very distinguished man in his day. He gave - it to me himself, but I’m afraid to mention his name, lest you never + “It’s an old friend of mine, a very distinguished man in his day. He gave + it to me himself, but I’m afraid to mention his name, lest you never should have heard of him, critic and historian as you are. I know the world goes fast and one generation forgets another. He was all the fashion - when I was young.” + when I was young.” </p> <p> She was perhaps amazed at my assurance, but I was surprised at hers; at her having the energy, in her state of health and at her time of life, to - wish to sport with me that way simply for her private entertainment—the + wish to sport with me that way simply for her private entertainment—the humor to test me and practice on me. This, at least, was the interpretation that I put upon her production of the portrait, for I could not believe that she really desired to sell it or cared for any information I might give her. What she wished was to dangle it before my - eyes and put a prohibitive price on it. “The face comes back to me, it - torments me,” I said, turning the object this way and that and looking at + eyes and put a prohibitive price on it. “The face comes back to me, it + torments me,” I said, turning the object this way and that and looking at it very critically. It was a careful but not a supreme work of art, larger than the ordinary miniature and representing a young man with a remarkably handsome face, in a high-collared green coat and a buff waistcoat. I judged the picture to have a valuable quality of resemblance and to have been painted when the model was about twenty-five years old. There are, as all the world knows, three other portraits of the poet in existence, but - none of them is of so early a date as this elegant production. “I have - never seen the original but I have seen other likenesses,” I went on. “You + none of them is of so early a date as this elegant production. “I have + never seen the original but I have seen other likenesses,” I went on. “You expressed doubt of this generation having heard of the gentleman, but he - strikes me for all the world as a celebrity. Now who is he? I can’t put my - finger on him—I can’t give him a label. Wasn’t he a writer? Surely - he’s a poet.” I was determined that it should be she, not I, who should - first pronounce Jeffrey Aspern’s name. + strikes me for all the world as a celebrity. Now who is he? I can’t put my + finger on him—I can’t give him a label. Wasn’t he a writer? Surely + he’s a poet.” I was determined that it should be she, not I, who should + first pronounce Jeffrey Aspern’s name. </p> <p> - My resolution was taken in ignorance of Miss Bordereau’s extremely + My resolution was taken in ignorance of Miss Bordereau’s extremely resolute character, and her lips never formed in my hearing the syllables that meant so much for her. She neglected to answer my question but raised her hand to take back the picture, with a gesture which though ineffectual - was in a high degree peremptory. “It’s only a person who should know for - himself that would give me my price,” she said with a certain dryness. + was in a high degree peremptory. “It’s only a person who should know for + himself that would give me my price,” she said with a certain dryness. </p> <p> - “Oh, then, you have a price?” I did not restore the precious thing; not + “Oh, then, you have a price?” I did not restore the precious thing; not from any vindictive purpose but because I instinctively clung to it. We looked at each other hard while I retained it. </p> <p> - “I know the least I would take. What it occurred to me to ask you about is - the most I shall be able to get.” + “I know the least I would take. What it occurred to me to ask you about is + the most I shall be able to get.” </p> <p> She made a movement, drawing herself together as if, in a spasm of dread at having lost her treasure, she were going to attempt the immense effort of rising to snatch it from me. I instantly placed it in her hand again, - saying as I did so, “I should like to have it myself, but with your ideas - I could never afford it.” + saying as I did so, “I should like to have it myself, but with your ideas + I could never afford it.” </p> <p> She turned the small oval plate over in her lap, with its face down, and I thought I saw her catch her breath a little, as if she had had a strain or - an escape. This however did not prevent her saying in a moment, “You would - buy a likeness of a person you don’t know, by an artist who has no - reputation?” + an escape. This however did not prevent her saying in a moment, “You would + buy a likeness of a person you don’t know, by an artist who has no + reputation?” </p> <p> - “The artist may have no reputation, but that thing is wonderfully well - painted,” I replied, to give myself a reason. + “The artist may have no reputation, but that thing is wonderfully well + painted,” I replied, to give myself a reason. </p> <p> - “It’s lucky you thought of saying that, because the painter was my - father.” + “It’s lucky you thought of saying that, because the painter was my + father.” </p> <p> - “That makes the picture indeed precious!” I exclaimed, laughing; and I may + “That makes the picture indeed precious!” I exclaimed, laughing; and I may add that a part of my laughter came from my satisfaction in finding that I - had been right in my theory of Miss Bordereau’s origin. Aspern had of - course met the young lady when he went to her father’s studio as a sitter. + had been right in my theory of Miss Bordereau’s origin. Aspern had of + course met the young lady when he went to her father’s studio as a sitter. I observed to Miss Bordereau that if she would entrust me with her property for twenty-four hours I should be happy to take advice upon it; but she made no answer to this save to slip it in silence into her pocket. This convinced me still more that she had no sincere intention of selling it during her lifetime, though she may have desired to satisfy herself as to the sum her niece, should she leave it to her, might expect eventually - to obtain for it. “Well, at any rate I hope you will not offer it without - giving me notice,” I said as she remained irresponsive. “Remember that I - am a possible purchaser.” + to obtain for it. “Well, at any rate I hope you will not offer it without + giving me notice,” I said as she remained irresponsive. “Remember that I + am a possible purchaser.” </p> <p> - “I should want your money first!” she returned with unexpected rudeness; + “I should want your money first!” she returned with unexpected rudeness; and then, as if she bethought herself that I had just cause to complain of such an insinuation and wished to turn the matter off, asked abruptly what I talked about with her niece when I went out with her that way in the evening. </p> <p> - “You speak as if we had set up the habit,” I replied. “Certainly I should + “You speak as if we had set up the habit,” I replied. “Certainly I should be very glad if it were to become a habit. But in that case I should feel - a still greater scruple at betraying a lady’s confidence.” + a still greater scruple at betraying a lady’s confidence.” </p> <p> - “Her confidence? Has she got confidence?” + “Her confidence? Has she got confidence?” </p> <p> - “Here she is—she can tell you herself,” I said; for Miss Tita now - appeared on the threshold of the old woman’s parlor. “Have you got - confidence, Miss Tita? Your aunt wants very much to know.” + “Here she is—she can tell you herself,” I said; for Miss Tita now + appeared on the threshold of the old woman’s parlor. “Have you got + confidence, Miss Tita? Your aunt wants very much to know.” </p> <p> - “Not in her, not in her!” the younger lady declared, shaking her head with - a dolefulness that was neither jocular not affected. “I don’t know what to - do with her; she has fits of horrid imprudence. She is so easily tired—and - yet she has begun to roam—to drag herself about the house.” And she + “Not in her, not in her!” the younger lady declared, shaking her head with + a dolefulness that was neither jocular not affected. “I don’t know what to + do with her; she has fits of horrid imprudence. She is so easily tired—and + yet she has begun to roam—to drag herself about the house.” And she stood looking down at her immemorial companion with a sort of helpless wonder, as if all their years of familiarity had not made her perversities, on occasion, any more easy to follow. </p> <p> - “I know what I’m about. I’m not losing my mind. I daresay you would like - to think so,” said Miss Bordereau with a cynical little sigh. + “I know what I’m about. I’m not losing my mind. I daresay you would like + to think so,” said Miss Bordereau with a cynical little sigh. </p> <p> - “I don’t suppose you came out here yourself. Miss Tita must have had to - lend you a hand,” I interposed with a pacifying intention. + “I don’t suppose you came out here yourself. Miss Tita must have had to + lend you a hand,” I interposed with a pacifying intention. </p> <p> - “Oh, she insisted that we should push her; and when she insists!” said + “Oh, she insisted that we should push her; and when she insists!” said Miss Tita in the same tone of apprehension; as if there were no knowing what service that she disapproved of her aunt might force her next to render. </p> <p> - “I have always got most things done I wanted, thank God! The people I have - lived with have humored me,” the old woman continued, speaking out of the + “I have always got most things done I wanted, thank God! The people I have + lived with have humored me,” the old woman continued, speaking out of the gray ashes of her vanity. </p> <p> - “I suppose you mean that they have obeyed you.” + “I suppose you mean that they have obeyed you.” </p> <p> - “Well, whatever it is, when they like you.” + “Well, whatever it is, when they like you.” </p> <p> - “It’s just because I like you that I want to resist,” said Miss Tita with + “It’s just because I like you that I want to resist,” said Miss Tita with a nervous laugh. </p> <p> - “Oh, I suspect you’ll bring Miss Bordereau upstairs next to pay me a - visit,” I went on; to which the old lady replied: + “Oh, I suspect you’ll bring Miss Bordereau upstairs next to pay me a + visit,” I went on; to which the old lady replied: </p> <p> - “Oh, no; I can keep an eye on you from here!” + “Oh, no; I can keep an eye on you from here!” </p> <p> - “You are very tired; you will certainly be ill tonight!” cried Miss Tita. + “You are very tired; you will certainly be ill tonight!” cried Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “Nonsense, my dear; I feel better at this moment than I have done for a + “Nonsense, my dear; I feel better at this moment than I have done for a month. Tomorrow I shall come out again. I want to be where I can see this - clever gentleman.” + clever gentleman.” </p> <p> - “Shouldn’t you perhaps see me better in your sitting room?” I inquired. + “Shouldn’t you perhaps see me better in your sitting room?” I inquired. </p> <p> - “Don’t you mean shouldn’t you have a better chance at me?” she returned, + “Don’t you mean shouldn’t you have a better chance at me?” she returned, fixing me a moment with her green shade. </p> <p> - “Ah, I haven’t that anywhere! I look at you but I don’t see you.” + “Ah, I haven’t that anywhere! I look at you but I don’t see you.” </p> <p> - “You excite her dreadfully—and that is not good,” said Miss Tita, + “You excite her dreadfully—and that is not good,” said Miss Tita, giving me a reproachful, appealing look. </p> <p> - “I want to watch you—I want to watch you!” the old lady went on. + “I want to watch you—I want to watch you!” the old lady went on. </p> <p> - “Well then, let us spend as much of our time together as possible—I - don’t care where—and that will give you every facility.” + “Well then, let us spend as much of our time together as possible—I + don’t care where—and that will give you every facility.” </p> <p> - “Oh, I’ve seen you enough for today. I’m satisfied. Now I’ll go home.” - Miss Tita laid her hands on the back of her aunt’s chair and began to - push, but I begged her to let me take her place. “Oh, yes, you may move me - this way—you shan’t in any other!” Miss Bordereau exclaimed as she + “Oh, I’ve seen you enough for today. I’m satisfied. Now I’ll go home.” + Miss Tita laid her hands on the back of her aunt’s chair and began to + push, but I begged her to let me take her place. “Oh, yes, you may move me + this way—you shan’t in any other!” Miss Bordereau exclaimed as she felt herself propelled firmly and easily over the smooth, hard floor. Before we reached the door of her own apartment she commanded me to stop, - and she took a long, last look up and down the noble sala. “Oh, it’s a - magnificent house!” she murmured; after which I pushed her forward. When + and she took a long, last look up and down the noble sala. “Oh, it’s a + magnificent house!” she murmured; after which I pushed her forward. When we had entered the parlor Miss Tita told me that she should now be able to - manage, and at the same moment the little red-haired donna came to meet - her mistress. Miss Tita’s idea was evidently to get her aunt immediately - back to bed. I confess that in spite of this urgency I was guilty of the - indiscretion of lingering; it held me there to think that I was nearer the - documents I coveted—that they were probably put away somewhere in - the faded, unsociable room. The place had indeed a bareness which did not - suggest hidden treasures; there were no dusky nooks nor curtained corners, - no massive cabinets nor chests with iron bands. Moreover it was possible, - it was perhaps even probable that the old lady had consigned her relics to - her bedroom, to some battered box that was shoved under the bed, to the - drawer of some lame dressing table, where they would be in the range of - vision by the dim night lamp. Nonetheless I scrutinized every article of - furniture, every conceivable cover for a hoard, and noticed that there - were half a dozen things with drawers, and in particular a tall old - secretary, with brass ornaments of the style of the Empire—a - receptacle somewhat rickety but still capable of keeping a great many - secrets. I don’t know why this article fascinated me so, inasmuch as I - certainly had no definite purpose of breaking into it; but I stared at it - so hard that Miss Tita noticed me and changed color. Her doing this made - me think I was right and that wherever they might have been before the - Aspern papers at that moment languished behind the peevish little lock of - the secretary. It was hard to remove my eyes from the dull mahogany front - when I reflected that a simple panel divided me from the goal of my hopes; - but I remembered my prudence and with an effort took leave of Miss - Bordereau. To make the effort graceful I said to her that I should - certainly bring her an opinion about the little picture. + manage, and at the same moment the little red-haired + <i lang="it">donna</i> came to meet her mistress. Miss Tita’s idea was + evidently to get her aunt immediately back to bed. I confess that in spite + of this urgency I was guilty of the indiscretion of lingering; it held me + there to think that I was nearer the documents I coveted—that they were + probably put away somewhere in the faded, unsociable room. The place had + indeed a bareness which did not suggest hidden treasures; there were no + dusky nooks nor curtained corners, no massive cabinets nor chests with + iron bands. Moreover it was possible, it was perhaps even probable that + the old lady had consigned her relics to her bedroom, to some battered box + that was shoved under the bed, to the drawer of some lame dressing table, + where they would be in the range of vision by the dim night lamp. + Nonetheless I scrutinized every article of furniture, every conceivable + cover for a hoard, and noticed that there were half a dozen things with + drawers, and in particular a tall old secretary, with brass ornaments of + the style of the Empire—a receptacle somewhat rickety but still capable of + keeping a great many secrets. I don’t know why this article fascinated me + so, inasmuch as I certainly had no definite purpose of breaking into it; + but I stared at it so hard that Miss Tita noticed me and changed color. + Her doing this made me think I was right and that wherever they might have + been before the Aspern papers at that moment languished behind the peevish + little lock of the secretary. It was hard to remove my eyes from the dull + mahogany front when I reflected that a simple panel divided me from the + goal of my hopes; but I remembered my prudence and with an effort took + leave of Miss Bordereau. To make the effort graceful I said to her that I + should certainly bring her an opinion about the little picture. </p> <p> - “The little picture?” Miss Tita asked, surprised. + “The little picture?” Miss Tita asked, surprised. </p> <p> - “What do YOU know about it, my dear?” the old woman demanded. “You needn’t - mind. I have fixed my price.” + “What do <em>you</em> know about it, my dear?” the old woman demanded. + “You needn’t mind. I have fixed my price.” </p> <p> - “And what may that be?” + “And what may that be?” </p> <p> - “A thousand pounds.” + “A thousand pounds.” </p> <p> - “Oh Lord!” cried poor Miss Tita irrepressibly. + “Oh Lord!” cried poor Miss Tita irrepressibly. </p> <p> - “Is that what she talks to you about?” said Miss Bordereau. + “Is that what she talks to you about?” said Miss Bordereau. </p> <p> - “Imagine your aunt’s wanting to know!” I had to separate from Miss Tita - with only those words, though I should have liked immensely to add, “For - heaven’s sake meet me tonight in the garden!” + “Imagine your aunt’s wanting to know!” I had to separate from Miss Tita + with only those words, though I should have liked immensely to add, “For + heaven’s sake meet me tonight in the garden!” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <a id="link2H_4_0008"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> VIII </h2> <p> As it turned out the precaution had not been needed, for three hours - later, just as I had finished my dinner, Miss Bordereau’s niece appeared, + later, just as I had finished my dinner, Miss Bordereau’s niece appeared, unannounced, in the open doorway of the room in which my simple repasts were served. I remember well that I felt no surprise at seeing her; which is not a proof that I did not believe in her timidity. It was immense, but in a case in which there was a particular reason for boldness it never would have prevented her from running up to my rooms. I saw that she was - now quite full of a particular reason; it threw her forward—made her + now quite full of a particular reason; it threw her forward—made her seize me, as I rose to meet her, by the arm. </p> <p> - “My aunt is very ill; I think she is dying!” + “My aunt is very ill; I think she is dying!” </p> <p> - “Never in the world,” I answered bitterly. “Don’t you be afraid!” + “Never in the world,” I answered bitterly. “Don’t you be afraid!” </p> <p> - “Do go for a doctor—do, do! Olimpia is gone for the one we always - have, but she doesn’t come back; I don’t know what has happened to her. I + “Do go for a doctor—do, do! Olimpia is gone for the one we always + have, but she doesn’t come back; I don’t know what has happened to her. I told her that if he was not at home she was to follow him where he had - gone; but apparently she is following him all over Venice. I don’t know - what to do—she looks so as if she were sinking.” + gone; but apparently she is following him all over Venice. I don’t know + what to do—she looks so as if she were sinking.” </p> <p> - “May I see her, may I judge?” I asked. “Of course I shall be delighted to - bring someone; but hadn’t we better send my man instead, so that I may - stay with you?” + “May I see her, may I judge?” I asked. “Of course I shall be delighted to + bring someone; but hadn’t we better send my man instead, so that I may + stay with you?” </p> <p> Miss Tita assented to this and I dispatched my servant for the best doctor in the neighborhood. I hurried downstairs with her, and on the way she told me that an hour after I quitted them in the afternoon Miss Bordereau - had had an attack of “oppression,” a terrible difficulty in breathing. + had had an attack of “oppression,” a terrible difficulty in breathing. This had subsided but had left her so exhausted that she did not come up: she seemed all gone. I repeated that she was not gone, that she would not go yet; whereupon Miss Tita gave me a sharper sidelong glance than she had - ever directed at me and said, “Really, what do you mean? I suppose you - don’t accuse her of making believe!” I forget what reply I made to this, + ever directed at me and said, “Really, what do you mean? I suppose you + don’t accuse her of making believe!” I forget what reply I made to this, but I grant that in my heart I thought the old woman capable of any weird maneuver. Miss Tita wanted to know what I had done to her; her aunt had - told her that I had made her so angry. I declared I had done nothing—I + told her that I had made her so angry. I declared I had done nothing—I had been exceedingly careful; to which my companion rejoined that Miss - Bordereau had assured her she had had a scene with me—a scene that + Bordereau had assured her she had had a scene with me—a scene that had upset her. I answered with some resentment that it was a scene of her - own making—that I couldn’t think what she was angry with me for + own making—that I couldn’t think what she was angry with me for unless for not seeing my way to give a thousand pounds for the portrait of - Jeffrey Aspern. “And did she show you that? Oh, gracious—oh, deary - me!” groaned Miss Tita, who appeared to feel that the situation was + Jeffrey Aspern. “And did she show you that? Oh, gracious—oh, deary + me!” groaned Miss Tita, who appeared to feel that the situation was passing out of her control and that the elements of her fate were thickening around her. I said that I would give anything to possess it, yet that I had not a thousand pounds; but I stopped when we came to the - door of Miss Bordereau’s room. I had an immense curiosity to pass it, but + door of Miss Bordereau’s room. I had an immense curiosity to pass it, but I thought it my duty to represent to Miss Tita that if I made the invalid - angry she ought perhaps to be spared the sight of me. “The sight of you? - Do you think she can SEE?” my companion demanded almost with indignation. - I did think so but forebore to say it, and I softly followed my - conductress. + angry she ought perhaps to be spared the sight of me. “The sight of you? + Do you think she can <em>see?</em>” my companion demanded almost with + indignation. I did think so but forebore to say it, and I softly followed + my conductress. </p> <p> I remember that what I said to her as I stood for a moment beside the old - woman’s bed was, “Does she never show you her eyes then? Have you never - seen them?” Miss Bordereau had been divested of her green shade, but (it + woman’s bed was, “Does she never show you her eyes then? Have you never + seen them?” Miss Bordereau had been divested of her green shade, but (it was not my fortune to behold Juliana in her nightcap) the upper half of her face was covered by the fall of a piece of dingy lacelike muslin, a sort of extemporized hood which, wound round her head, descended to the end of her nose, leaving nothing visible but her white withered cheeks and puckered mouth, closed tightly and, as it were consciously. Miss Tita gave me a glance of surprise, evidently not seeing a reason for my impatience. - “You mean that she always wears something? She does it to preserve them.” + “You mean that she always wears something? She does it to preserve them.” </p> <p> - “Because they are so fine?” + “Because they are so fine?” </p> <p> - “Oh, today, today!” And Miss Tita shook her head, speaking very low. “But - they used to be magnificent!” + “Oh, today, today!” And Miss Tita shook her head, speaking very low. “But + they used to be magnificent!” </p> <p> - “Yes indeed, we have Aspern’s word for that.” And as I looked again at the - old woman’s wrappings I could imagine that she had not wished to allow + “Yes indeed, we have Aspern’s word for that.” And as I looked again at the + old woman’s wrappings I could imagine that she had not wished to allow people a reason to say that the great poet had overdone it. But I did not waste my time in considering Miss Bordereau, in whom the appearance of respiration was so slight as to suggest that no human attention could ever @@ -3329,7 +3295,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger preoccupation that was almost profane in the presence of our dying companion. All the same I took another look, endeavoring to pick out mentally the place to try first, for a person who should wish to put his - hand on Miss Bordereau’s papers directly after her death. The room was a + hand on Miss Bordereau’s papers directly after her death. The room was a dire confusion; it looked like the room of an old actress. There were clothes hanging over chairs, odd-looking shabby bundles here and there, and various pasteboard boxes piled together, battered, bulging, and @@ -3340,40 +3306,40 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger such untidiness: </p> <p> - “She likes it this way; we can’t move things. There are old bandboxes she - has had most of her life.” Then she added, half taking pity on my real - thought, “Those things were THERE.” And she pointed to a small, low trunk - which stood under a sofa where there was just room for it. It appeared to - be a queer, superannuated coffer, of painted wood, with elaborate handles - and shriveled straps and with the color (it had last been endued with a - coat of light green) much rubbed off. It evidently had traveled with - Juliana in the olden time—in the days of her adventures, which it - had shared. It would have made a strange figure arriving at a modern - hotel. + “She likes it this way; we can’t move things. There are old bandboxes she + has had most of her life.” Then she added, half taking pity on my real + thought, “Those things were <em>there</em>.” And she pointed to a small, + low trunk which stood under a sofa where there was just room for it. It + appeared to be a queer, superannuated coffer, of painted wood, with + elaborate handles and shriveled straps and with the color (it had last + been endued with a coat of light green) much rubbed off. It evidently had + traveled with Juliana in the olden time—in the days of her adventures, + which it had shared. It would have made a strange figure arriving at a + modern hotel. </p> <p> - “WERE there—they aren’t now?” I asked, startled by Miss Tita’s + “<em>Were</em> there—they aren’t now?” I asked, startled by Miss Tita’s implication. </p> <p> - She was going to answer, but at that moment the doctor came in—the + She was going to answer, but at that moment the doctor came in—the doctor whom the little maid had been sent to fetch and whom she had at last overtaken. My servant, going on his own errand, had met her with her companion in tow, and in the sociable Venetian spirit, retracing his steps - with them, had also come up to the threshold of Miss Bordereau’s room, - where I saw him peeping over the doctor’s shoulder. I motioned him away + with them, had also come up to the threshold of Miss Bordereau’s room, + where I saw him peeping over the doctor’s shoulder. I motioned him away the more instantly that the sight of his prying face reminded me that I - myself had almost as little to do there—an admonition confirmed by + myself had almost as little to do there—an admonition confirmed by the sharp way the little doctor looked at me, appearing to take me for a rival who had the field before him. He was a short, fat, brisk gentleman who wore the tall hat of his profession and seemed to look at everything but his patient. He looked particularly at me, as if it struck him that I should be better for a dose, so that I bowed to him and left him with the women, going down to smoke a cigar in the garden. I was nervous; I could - not go further; I could not leave the place. I don’t know exactly what I + not go further; I could not leave the place. I don’t know exactly what I thought might happen, but it seemed to me important to be there. I - wandered about in the alleys—the warm night had come on—smoking - cigar after cigar and looking at the light in Miss Bordereau’s windows. + wandered about in the alleys—the warm night had come on—smoking + cigar after cigar and looking at the light in Miss Bordereau’s windows. They were open now, I could see; the situation was different. Sometimes the light moved, but not quickly; it did not suggest the hurry of a crisis. Was the old woman dying, or was she already dead? Had the doctor @@ -3386,103 +3352,103 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger again that perhaps there were now no papers to carry! </p> <p> - I wandered about for an hour—for an hour and a half. I looked out + I wandered about for an hour—for an hour and a half. I looked out for Miss Tita at one of the windows, having a vague idea that she might come there to give me some sign. Would she not see the red tip of my cigar moving about in the dark and feel that I wanted eminently to know what the doctor had said? I am afraid it is a proof my anxieties had made me gross that I should have taken in some degree for granted that at such an hour, in the midst of the greatest change that could take place in her life, - they were uppermost also in Miss Tita’s mind. My servant came down and + they were uppermost also in Miss Tita’s mind. My servant came down and spoke to me; he knew nothing save that the doctor had gone after a visit of half an hour. If he had stayed half an hour then Miss Bordereau was still alive: it could not have taken so much time as that to enunciate the contrary. I sent the man out of the house; there were moments when the - sense of his curiosity annoyed me, and this was one of them. HE had been - watching my cigar tip from an upper window, if Miss Tita had not; he could - not know what I was after and I could not tell him, though I was conscious - he had fantastic private theories about me which he thought fine and which - I, had I known them, should have thought offensive. + sense of his curiosity annoyed me, and this was one of them. <em>He</em> + had been watching my cigar tip from an upper window, if Miss Tita had not; + he could not know what I was after and I could not tell him, though I was + conscious he had fantastic private theories about me which he thought fine + and which I, had I known them, should have thought offensive. </p> <p> I went upstairs at last but I ascended no higher than the sala. The door - of Miss Bordereau’s apartment was open, showing from the parlor the + of Miss Bordereau’s apartment was open, showing from the parlor the dimness of a poor candle. I went toward it with a light tread, and at the same moment Miss Tita appeared and stood looking at me as I approached. - “She’s better—she’s better,” she said, even before I had asked. “The + “She’s better—she’s better,” she said, even before I had asked. “The doctor has given her something; she woke up, came back to life while he - was there. He says there is no immediate danger.” + was there. He says there is no immediate danger.” </p> <p> - “No immediate danger? Surely he thinks her condition strange!” + “No immediate danger? Surely he thinks her condition strange!” </p> <p> - “Yes, because she had been excited. That affects her dreadfully.” + “Yes, because she had been excited. That affects her dreadfully.” </p> <p> - “It will do so again then, because she excites herself. She did so this - afternoon.” + “It will do so again then, because she excites herself. She did so this + afternoon.” </p> <p> - “Yes; she mustn’t come out any more,” said Miss Tita, with one of her + “Yes; she mustn’t come out any more,” said Miss Tita, with one of her lapses into a deeper placidity. </p> <p> - “What is the use of making such a remark as that if you begin to rattle - her about again the first time she bids you?” + “What is the use of making such a remark as that if you begin to rattle + her about again the first time she bids you?” </p> <p> - “I won’t—I won’t do it any more.” + “I won’t—I won’t do it any more.” </p> <p> - “You must learn to resist her,” I went on. + “You must learn to resist her,” I went on. </p> <p> - “Oh, yes, I shall; I shall do so better if you tell me it’s right.” + “Oh, yes, I shall; I shall do so better if you tell me it’s right.” </p> <p> - “You mustn’t do it for me; you must do it for yourself. It all comes back - to you, if you are frightened.” + “You mustn’t do it for me; you must do it for yourself. It all comes back + to you, if you are frightened.” </p> <p> - “Well, I am not frightened now,” said Miss Tita cheerfully. “She is very - quiet.” + “Well, I am not frightened now,” said Miss Tita cheerfully. “She is very + quiet.” </p> <p> - “Is she conscious again—does she speak?” + “Is she conscious again—does she speak?” </p> <p> - “No, she doesn’t speak, but she takes my hand. She holds it fast.” + “No, she doesn’t speak, but she takes my hand. She holds it fast.” </p> <p> - “Yes,” I rejoined, “I can see what force she still has by the way she + “Yes,” I rejoined, “I can see what force she still has by the way she grabbed that picture this afternoon. But if she holds you fast how comes - it that you are here?” + it that you are here?” </p> <p> Miss Tita hesitated a moment; though her face was in deep shadow (she had her back to the light in the parlor and I had put down my own candle far - off, near the door of the sala), I thought I saw her smile ingenuously. “I - came on purpose—I heard your step.” + off, near the door of the sala), I thought I saw her smile ingenuously. “I + came on purpose—I heard your step.” </p> <p> - “Why, I came on tiptoe, as inaudibly as possible.” + “Why, I came on tiptoe, as inaudibly as possible.” </p> <p> - “Well, I heard you,” said Miss Tita. + “Well, I heard you,” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “And is your aunt alone now?” + “And is your aunt alone now?” </p> <p> - “Oh, no; Olimpia is sitting there.” + “Oh, no; Olimpia is sitting there.” </p> <p> - On my side I hesitated. “Shall we then step in there?” And I nodded at the + On my side I hesitated. “Shall we then step in there?” And I nodded at the parlor; I wanted more and more to be on the spot. </p> <p> - “We can’t talk there—she will hear us.” + “We can’t talk there—she will hear us.” </p> <p> I was on the point of replying that in that case we would sit silent, but @@ -3491,77 +3457,77 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger in the sala, keeping more at the other end, where we should not disturb the old lady. Miss Tita assented unconditionally; the doctor was coming again, she said, and she would be there to meet him at the door. We - strolled through the fine superfluous hall, where on the marble floor—particularly - as at first we said nothing—our footsteps were more audible than I - had expected. When we reached the other end—the wide window, - inveterately closed, connecting with the balcony that overhung the canal—I - suggested that we should remain there, as she would see the doctor arrive - still better. I opened the window and we passed out on the balcony. The - air of the canal seemed even heavier, hotter than that of the sala. The - place was hushed and void; the quiet neighborhood had gone to sleep. A + strolled through the fine superfluous hall, where on the marble + floor—particularly as at first we said nothing—our footsteps were more + audible than I had expected. When we reached the other end—the wide + window, inveterately closed, connecting with the balcony that overhung the + canal—I suggested that we should remain there, as she would see the doctor + arrive still better. I opened the window and we passed out on the balcony. + The air of the canal seemed even heavier, hotter than that of the sala. + The place was hushed and void; the quiet neighborhood had gone to sleep. A lamp, here and there, over the narrow black water, glimmered in double; the voice of a man going homeward singing, with his jacket on his shoulder and his hat on his ear, came to us from a distance. This did not prevent - the scene from being very comme il faut, as Miss Bordereau had called it - the first time I saw her. Presently a gondola passed along the canal with - its slow rhythmical plash, and as we listened we watched it in silence. It - did not stop, it did not carry the doctor; and after it had gone on I said - to Miss Tita: + the scene from being very <i lang="fr">comme il faut</i>, as Miss + Bordereau had called it the first time I saw her. Presently a gondola + passed along the canal with its slow rhythmical plash, and as we listened + we watched it in silence. It did not stop, it did not carry the doctor; + and after it had gone on I said to Miss Tita: </p> <p> - “And where are they now—the things that were in the trunk?” + “And where are they now—the things that were in the trunk?” </p> <p> - “In the trunk?” + “In the trunk?” </p> <p> - “That green box you pointed out to me in her room. You said her papers had - been there; you seemed to imply that she had transferred them.” + “That green box you pointed out to me in her room. You said her papers had + been there; you seemed to imply that she had transferred them.” </p> <p> - “Oh, yes; they are not in the trunk,” said Miss Tita. + “Oh, yes; they are not in the trunk,” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “May I ask if you have looked?” + “May I ask if you have looked?” </p> <p> - “Yes, I have looked—for you.” + “Yes, I have looked—for you.” </p> <p> - “How for me, dear Miss Tita? Do you mean you would have given them to me - if you had found them?” I asked, almost trembling. + “How for me, dear Miss Tita? Do you mean you would have given them to me + if you had found them?” I asked, almost trembling. </p> <p> - She delayed to reply and I waited. Suddenly she broke out, “I don’t know - what I would do—what I wouldn’t!” + She delayed to reply and I waited. Suddenly she broke out, “I don’t know + what I would do—what I wouldn’t!” </p> <p> - “Would you look again—somewhere else?” + “Would you look again—somewhere else?” </p> <p> She had spoken with a strange unexpected emotion, and she went on in the - same tone: “I can’t—I can’t—while she lies there. It isn’t - decent.” + same tone: “I can’t—I can’t—while she lies there. It isn’t + decent.” </p> <p> - “No, it isn’t decent,” I replied gravely. “Let the poor lady rest in - peace.” And the words, on my lips, were not hypocritical, for I felt + “No, it isn’t decent,” I replied gravely. “Let the poor lady rest in + peace.” And the words, on my lips, were not hypocritical, for I felt reprimanded and shamed. </p> <p> Miss Tita added in a moment, as if she had guessed this and were sorry for me, but at the same time wished to explain that I did drive her on or at - least did insist too much: “I can’t deceive her that way. I can’t deceive - her—perhaps on her deathbed.” + least did insist too much: “I can’t deceive her that way. I can’t deceive + her—perhaps on her deathbed.” </p> <p> - “Heaven forbid I should ask you, though I have been guilty myself!” + “Heaven forbid I should ask you, though I have been guilty myself!” </p> <p> - “You have been guilty?” + “You have been guilty?” </p> <p> - “I have sailed under false colors.” I felt now as if I must tell her that + “I have sailed under false colors.” I felt now as if I must tell her that I had given her an invented name, on account of my fear that her aunt would have heard of me and would refuse to take me in. I explained this and also that I had really been a party to the letter written to them by @@ -3569,42 +3535,42 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger </p> <p> She listened with great attention, looking at me with parted lips, and - when I had made my confession she said, “Then your real name—what is - it?” She repeated it over twice when I had told her, accompanying it with - the exclamation “Gracious, gracious!” Then she added, “I like your own - best.” + when I had made my confession she said, “Then your real name—what is + it?” She repeated it over twice when I had told her, accompanying it with + the exclamation “Gracious, gracious!” Then she added, “I like your own + best.” </p> <p> - “So do I,” I said, laughing. “Ouf! it’s a relief to get rid of the other.” + “So do I,” I said, laughing. “Ouf! it’s a relief to get rid of the other.” </p> <p> - “So it was a regular plot—a kind of conspiracy?” + “So it was a regular plot—a kind of conspiracy?” </p> <p> - “Oh, a conspiracy—we were only two,” I replied, leaving out Mrs. + “Oh, a conspiracy—we were only two,” I replied, leaving out Mrs. Prest of course. </p> <p> She hesitated; I thought she was perhaps going to say that we had been very base. But she remarked after a moment, in a candid, wondering way, - “How much you must want them!” + “How much you must want them!” </p> <p> - “Oh, I do, passionately!” I conceded, smiling. And this chance made me go - on, forgetting my compunction of a moment before. “How can she possibly + “Oh, I do, passionately!” I conceded, smiling. And this chance made me go + on, forgetting my compunction of a moment before. “How can she possibly have changed their place herself? How can she walk? How can she arrive at - that sort of muscular exertion? How can she lift and carry things?” + that sort of muscular exertion? How can she lift and carry things?” </p> <p> - “Oh, when one wants and when one has so much will!” said Miss Tita, as if + “Oh, when one wants and when one has so much will!” said Miss Tita, as if she had thought over my question already herself and had simply had no - choice but that answer—the idea that in the dead of night, or at + choice but that answer—the idea that in the dead of night, or at some moment when the coast was clear, the old woman had been capable of a miraculous effort. </p> <p> - “Have you questioned Olimpia? Hasn’t she helped her—hasn’t she done - it for her?” I asked; to which Miss Tita replied promptly and positively + “Have you questioned Olimpia? Hasn’t she helped her—hasn’t she done + it for her?” I asked; to which Miss Tita replied promptly and positively that their servant had had nothing to do with the matter, though without admitting definitely that she had spoken to her. It was as if she were a little shy, a little ashamed now of letting me see how much she had @@ -3612,26 +3578,26 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger me, without any immediate relevance: </p> <p> - “I feel as if you were a new person, now that you have got a new name.” + “I feel as if you were a new person, now that you have got a new name.” </p> <p> - “It isn’t a new one; it is a very good old one, thank heaven!” + “It isn’t a new one; it is a very good old one, thank heaven!” </p> <p> - She looked at me a moment. “I do like it better.” + She looked at me a moment. “I do like it better.” </p> <p> - “Oh, if you didn’t I would almost go on with the other!” + “Oh, if you didn’t I would almost go on with the other!” </p> <p> - “Would you really?” + “Would you really?” </p> <p> - I laughed again, but for all answer to this inquiry I said, “Of course if - she can rummage about that way she can perfectly have burnt them.” + I laughed again, but for all answer to this inquiry I said, “Of course if + she can rummage about that way she can perfectly have burnt them.” </p> <p> - “You must wait—you must wait,” Miss Tita moralized mournfully; and + “You must wait—you must wait,” Miss Tita moralized mournfully; and her tone ministered little to my patience, for it seemed after all to accept that wretched possibility. I would teach myself to wait, I declared nevertheless; because in the first place I could not do otherwise and in @@ -3639,37 +3605,37 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger help me. </p> <p> - “Of course if the papers are gone that’s no use,” she said; not as if she + “Of course if the papers are gone that’s no use,” she said; not as if she wished to recede, but only to be conscientious. </p> <p> - “Naturally. But if you could only find out!” I groaned, quivering again. + “Naturally. But if you could only find out!” I groaned, quivering again. </p> <p> - “I thought you said you would wait.” + “I thought you said you would wait.” </p> <p> - “Oh, you mean wait even for that?” + “Oh, you mean wait even for that?” </p> <p> - “For what then?” + “For what then?” </p> <p> - “Oh, nothing,” I replied, rather foolishly, being ashamed to tell her what - had been implied in my submission to delay—the idea that she would + “Oh, nothing,” I replied, rather foolishly, being ashamed to tell her what + had been implied in my submission to delay—the idea that she would do more than merely find out. I know not whether she guessed this; at all events she appeared to become aware of the necessity for being a little more rigid. </p> <p> - “I didn’t promise to deceive, did I? I don’t think I did.” + “I didn’t promise to deceive, did I? I don’t think I did.” </p> <p> - “It doesn’t much matter whether you did or not, for you couldn’t!” + “It doesn’t much matter whether you did or not, for you couldn’t!” </p> <p> - I don’t think Miss Tita would have contested this event had she not been - diverted by our seeing the doctor’s gondola shoot into the little canal + I don’t think Miss Tita would have contested this event had she not been + diverted by our seeing the doctor’s gondola shoot into the little canal and approach the house. I noted that he came as fast as if he believed that Miss Bordereau was still in danger. We looked down at him while he disembarked and then went back into the sala to meet him. When he came up @@ -3680,7 +3646,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger I went out of the house and took a long walk, as far as the Piazza, where my restlessness declined to quit me. I was unable to sit down (it was very late now but there were people still at the little tables in front of the - cafes); I could only walk round and round, and I did so half a dozen + cafés); I could only walk round and round, and I did so half a dozen times. I was uncomfortable, but it gave me a certain pleasure to have told Miss Tita who I really was. At last I took my way home again, slowly getting all but inextricably lost, as I did whenever I went out in Venice: @@ -3688,18 +3654,18 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger sala, upstairs, was as dark as usual and my lamp as I crossed it found nothing satisfactory to show me. I was disappointed, for I had notified Miss Tita that I would come back for a report, and I thought she might - have left a light there as a sign. The door of the ladies’ apartment was + have left a light there as a sign. The door of the ladies’ apartment was closed; which seemed an intimation that my faltering friend had gone to bed, tired of waiting for me. I stood in the middle of the place, considering, hoping she would hear me and perhaps peep out, saying to myself too that she would never go to bed with her aunt in a state so - critical; she would sit up and watch—she would be in a chair, in her + critical; she would sit up and watch—she would be in a chair, in her dressing gown. I went nearer the door; I stopped there and listened. I heard nothing at all and at last I tapped gently. No answer came and after another minute I turned the handle. There was no light in the room; this ought to have prevented me from going in, but it had no such effect. If I have candidly narrated the importunities, the indelicacies, of which my - desire to possess myself of Jeffrey Aspern’s papers had rendered me + desire to possess myself of Jeffrey Aspern’s papers had rendered me capable I need not shrink from confessing this last indiscretion. I think it was the worst thing I did; yet there were extenuating circumstances. I was deeply though doubtless not disinterestedly anxious for more news of @@ -3709,8 +3675,8 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger and to this I can only reply that I desired not to be released. </p> <p> - The door of Miss Bordereau’s room was open and I could see beyond it the - faintness of a taper. There was no sound—my footstep caused no one + The door of Miss Bordereau’s room was open and I could see beyond it the + faintness of a taper. There was no sound—my footstep caused no one to stir. I came further into the room; I lingered there with my lamp in my hand. I wanted to give Miss Tita a chance to come to me if she were with her aunt, as she must be. I made no noise to call her; I only waited to @@ -3730,10 +3696,10 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger tormenting treasure than I had ever been. I held up my lamp, let the light play on the different objects as if it could tell me something. Still there came no movement from the other room. If Miss Tita was sleeping she - was sleeping sound. Was she doing so—generous creature—on + was sleeping sound. Was she doing so—generous creature—on purpose to leave me the field? Did she know I was there and was she just - keeping quiet to see what I would do—what I COULD do? But what could - I do, when it came to that? She herself knew even better than I how + keeping quiet to see what I would do—what I <em>could</em> do? But what + could I do, when it came to that? She herself knew even better than I how little. </p> <p> @@ -3742,7 +3708,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger in the second it almost surely contained nothing in which I was interested. Ten to one the papers had been destroyed; and even if they had not been destroyed the old woman would not have put them in such a place - as that after removing them from the green trunk—would not have + as that after removing them from the green trunk—would not have transferred them, if she had the idea of their safety on her brain, from the better hiding place to the worse. The secretary was more conspicuous, more accessible in a room in which she could no longer mount guard. It @@ -3753,13 +3719,13 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger she wished me to keep away, why had she not locked the door of communication between the sitting room and the sala? That would have been a definite sign that I was to leave them alone. If I did not leave them - alone she meant me to come for a purpose—a purpose now indicated by + alone she meant me to come for a purpose—a purpose now indicated by the quick, fantastic idea that to oblige me she had unlocked the secretary. She had not left the key, but the lid would probably move if I touched the button. This theory fascinated me, and I bent over very close - to judge. I did not propose to do anything, not even—not in the - least—to let down the lid; I only wanted to test my theory, to see - if the cover WOULD move. I touched the button with my hand—a mere + to judge. I did not propose to do anything, not even—not in the + least—to let down the lid; I only wanted to test my theory, to see + if the cover <em>would</em> move. I touched the button with my hand—a mere touch would tell me; and as I did so (it is embarrassing for me to relate it), I looked over my shoulder. It was a chance, an instinct, for I had not heard anything. I almost let my luminary drop and certainly I stepped @@ -3773,39 +3739,39 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger which as I turned, looking at her, she hissed out passionately, furiously: </p> <p> - “Ah, you publishing scoundrel!” + “Ah, you publishing scoundrel!” </p> <p> I know not what I stammered, to excuse myself, to explain; but I went toward her, to tell her I meant no harm. She waved me off with her old hands, retreating before me in horror; and the next thing I knew she had fallen back with a quick spasm, as if death had descended on her, into - Miss Tita’s arms. + Miss Tita’s arms. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <a id="link2H_4_0009"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> IX </h2> <p> I left Venice the next morning, as soon as I learned that the old lady had - not succumbed, as I feared at the moment, to the shock I had given her—the + not succumbed, as I feared at the moment, to the shock I had given her—the shock I may also say she had given me. How in the world could I have supposed her capable of getting out of bed by herself? I failed to see Miss Tita before going; I only saw the donna, whom I entrusted with a note for her younger mistress. In this note I mentioned that I should be absent but for a few days. I went to Treviso, to Bassano, to Castelfranco; I took walks and drives and looked at musty old churches with ill-lighted - pictures and spent hours seated smoking at the doors of cafes, where there + pictures and spent hours seated smoking at the doors of cafés, where there were flies and yellow curtains, on the shady side of sleepy little squares. In spite of these pastimes, which were mechanical and perfunctory, I scantily enjoyed my journey: there was too strong a taste - of the disagreeable in my life. I had been devilish awkward, as the young + of the disagreeable in my life. It had been devilish awkward, as the young men say, to be found by Miss Bordereau in the dead of night examining the attachment of her bureau; and it had not been less so to have to believe for a good many hours afterward that it was highly probable I had killed @@ -3827,42 +3793,42 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger said to myself that after all I could not abandon Miss Tita, and I continued to say this even while I observed that she quite failed to comply with my earnest request (I had given her two or three addresses, at - little towns, post restante) that she would let me know how she was - getting on. I would have made my servant write to me but that he was - unable to manage a pen. It struck me there was a kind of scorn in Miss - Tita’s silence (little disdainful as she had ever been), so that I was - uncomfortable and sore. I had scruples about going back and yet I had + little towns, <i lang="fr">post restante</i>) that she would let me know + how she was getting on. I would have made my servant write to me but that + he was unable to manage a pen. It struck me there was a kind of scorn in + Miss Tita’s silence (little disdainful as she had ever been), so that I + was uncomfortable and sore. I had scruples about going back and yet I had others about not doing so, for I wanted to put myself on a better footing. The end of it was that I did return to Venice on the twelfth day; and as - my gondola gently bumped against Miss Bordereau’s steps a certain + my gondola gently bumped against Miss Bordereau’s steps a certain palpitation of suspense told me that I had done myself a violence in holding off so long. </p> <p> I had faced about so abruptly that I had not telegraphed to my servant. He was therefore not at the station to meet me, but he poked out his head - from an upper window when I reached the house. “They have put her into the - earth, la vecchia,” he said to me in the lower hall, while he shouldered - my valise; and he grinned and almost winked, as if he knew I should be - pleased at the news. + from an upper window when I reached the house. “They have put her into the + earth, <i lang="it">la vecchia</i>,” he said to me in the lower hall, + while he shouldered my valise; and he grinned and almost winked, as if he + knew I should be pleased at the news. </p> <p> - “She’s dead!” I exclaimed, giving him a very different look. + “She’s dead!” I exclaimed, giving him a very different look. </p> <p> - “So it appears, since they have buried her.” + “So it appears, since they have buried her.” </p> <p> - “It’s all over? When was the funeral?” + “It’s all over? When was the funeral?” </p> <p> - “The other yesterday. But a funeral you could scarcely call it, signore; - it was a dull little passeggio of two gondolas. Poveretta!” the man + “The other yesterday. But a funeral you could scarcely call it, signore; + it was a dull little passeggio of two gondolas. Poveretta!” the man continued, referring apparently to Miss Tita. His conception of funerals was apparently that they were mainly to amuse the living. </p> <p> - I wanted to know about Miss Tita—how she was and where she was—but + I wanted to know about Miss Tita—how she was and where she was—but I asked him no more questions till we had got upstairs. Now that the fact had met me I took a bad view of it, especially of the idea that poor Miss Tita had had to manage by herself after the end. What did she know about @@ -3879,7 +3845,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger old woman could not go to church and her niece, so far as I perceived, either did not or went only to early mass in the parish, before I was stirring. Certainly even the priests respected their seclusion; I had - never caught the whisk of the curato’s skirt. That evening, an hour later, + never caught the whisk of the curato’s skirt. That evening, an hour later, I sent my servant down with five words written on a card, to ask Miss Tita if she would see me for a few moments. She was not in the house, where he had sought her, he told me when he came back, but in the garden walking @@ -3891,21 +3857,21 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger had a look of musty mourning (as if she were wearing out old robes of sorrow that would not come to an end), and in this respect there was no appreciable change in her appearance. But she evidently had been crying, - crying a great deal—simply, satisfyingly, refreshingly, with a sort + crying a great deal—simply, satisfyingly, refreshingly, with a sort of primitive, retarded sense of loneliness and violence. But she had none of the formalism or the self-consciousness of grief, and I was almost surprised to see her standing there in the first dusk with her hands full of flowers, smiling at me with her reddened eyes. Her white face, in the frame of her mantilla, looked longer, leaner than usual. I had had an idea - that she would be a good deal disgusted with me—would consider that + that she would be a good deal disgusted with me—would consider that I ought to have been on the spot to advise her, to help her; and, though I was sure there was no rancor in her composition and no great conviction of the importance of her affairs, I had prepared myself for a difference in her manner, for some little injured look, half-familiar, half-estranged, - which should say to my conscience, “Well, you are a nice person to have - professed things!” But historic truth compels me to declare that Tita - Bordereau’s countenance expressed unqualified pleasure in seeing her late - aunt’s lodger. That touched him extremely, and he thought it simplified + which should say to my conscience, “Well, you are a nice person to have + professed things!” But historic truth compels me to declare that Tita + Bordereau’s countenance expressed unqualified pleasure in seeing her late + aunt’s lodger. That touched him extremely, and he thought it simplified his situation until he found it did not. I was as kind to her that evening as I knew how to be, and I walked about the garden with her for half an hour. There was no explanation of any sort between us; I did not ask her @@ -3926,23 +3892,23 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger particularly on that, however, for I certainly was not prepared to say that I would take charge of her. I was cautious; not ignobly, I think, for I felt that her knowledge of life was so small that in her unsophisticated - vision there would be no reason why—since I seemed to pity her—I + vision there would be no reason why—since I seemed to pity her—I should not look after her. She told me how her aunt had died, very peacefully at the last, and how everything had been done afterward by the care of her good friends (fortunately, thanks to me, she said, smiling, there was money in the house; and she repeated that when once the Italians like you they are your friends for life); and when we had gone into this - she asked me about my giro, my impressions, the places I had seen. I told - her what I could, making it up partly, I am afraid, as in my depression I - had not seen much; and after she had heard me she exclaimed, quite as if - she had forgotten her aunt and her sorrow, “Dear, dear, how much I should - like to do such things—to take a little journey!” It came over me - for the moment that I ought to propose some tour, say I would take her - anywhere she liked; and I remarked at any rate that some excursion—to - give her a change—might be managed: we would think of it, talk it - over. I said never a word to her about the Aspern documents; asked no - questions as to what she had ascertained or what had otherwise happened - with regard to them before Miss Bordereau’s death. It was not that I was + she asked me about my <i lang="it">giro</i>, my impressions, the places I + had seen. I told her what I could, making it up partly, I am afraid, as in + my depression I had not seen much; and after she had heard me she + exclaimed, quite as if she had forgotten her aunt and her sorrow, “Dear, + dear, how much I should like to do such things—to take a little journey!” + It came over me for the moment that I ought to propose some tour, say I + would take her anywhere she liked; and I remarked at any rate that some + excursion—to give her a change—might be managed: we would think of it, + talk it over. I said never a word to her about the Aspern documents; asked + no questions as to what she had ascertained or what had otherwise happened + with regard to them before Miss Bordereau’s death. It was not that I was not on pins and needles to know, but that I thought it more decent not to betray my anxiety so soon after the catastrophe. I hoped she herself would say something, but she never glanced that way, and I thought this natural @@ -3950,16 +3916,16 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger was somewhat strange; for if she had talked of my movements, of anything so detached as the Giorgione at Castelfranco, she might have alluded to what she could easily remember was in my mind. It was not to be supposed - that the emotion produced by her aunt’s death had blotted out the - recollection that I was interested in that lady’s relics, and I fidgeted + that the emotion produced by her aunt’s death had blotted out the + recollection that I was interested in that lady’s relics, and I fidgeted afterward as it came to me that her reticence might very possibly mean simply that nothing had been found. We separated in the garden (it was she who said she must go in); now that she was alone in the rooms I felt that (judged, at any rate, by Venetian ideas) I was on rather a different footing in regard to visiting her there. As I shook hands with her for - goodnight I asked her if she had any general plan—had thought over - what she had better do. “Oh, yes, oh, yes, but I haven’t settled anything - yet,” she replied quite cheerfully. Was her cheerfulness explained by the + goodnight I asked her if she had any general plan—had thought over + what she had better do. “Oh, yes, oh, yes, but I haven’t settled anything + yet,” she replied quite cheerfully. Was her cheerfulness explained by the impression that I would settle for her? </p> <p> @@ -3978,16 +3944,16 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger a freshness from the sea which stirred the flowers in the garden and made a pleasant draught in the house, less shuttered and darkened now than when the old woman was alive. It was the beginning of autumn, of the end of the - golden months. With this it was the end of my experiment—or would be + golden months. With this it was the end of my experiment—or would be in the course of half an hour, when I should really have learned that the papers had been reduced to ashes. After that there would be nothing left for me but to go to the station; for seriously (and as it struck me in the morning light) I could not linger there to act as guardian to a piece of middle-aged female helplessness. If she had not saved the papers wherein should I be indebted to her? I think I winced a little as I asked myself - how much, if she HAD saved them, I should have to recognize and, as it - were, to reward such a courtesy. Might not that circumstance after all - saddle me with a guardianship? If this idea did not make me more + how much, if she <em>had</em> saved them, I should have to recognize and, + as it were, to reward such a courtesy. Might not that circumstance after + all saddle me with a guardianship? If this idea did not make me more uncomfortable as I walked up and down it was because I was convinced I had nothing to look to. If the old woman had not destroyed everything before she pounced upon me in the parlor she had done so afterward. @@ -3999,44 +3965,44 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger let her know. I was glad the next day that I had checked myself before remarking that I had wished to see if a friendly intuition would not tell her: it became a satisfaction to me that I had not indulged in that rather - tender joke. What I did say was virtually the truth—that I was too + tender joke. What I did say was virtually the truth—that I was too nervous, since I expected her now to settle my fate. </p> <p> - “Your fate?” said Miss Tita, giving me a queer look; and as she spoke I + “Your fate?” said Miss Tita, giving me a queer look; and as she spoke I noticed a rare change in her. She was different from what she had been the - evening before—less natural, less quiet. She had been crying the day + evening before—less natural, less quiet. She had been crying the day before and she was not crying now, and yet she struck me as less confident. It was as if something had happened to her during the night, or - at least as if she had thought of something that troubled her—something + at least as if she had thought of something that troubled her—something in particular that affected her relations with me, made them more - embarrassing and complicated. Had she simply perceived that her aunt’s not + embarrassing and complicated. Had she simply perceived that her aunt’s not being there now altered my position? </p> <p> - “I mean about our papers. ARE there any? You must know now.” + “I mean about our papers. <em>Are</em> there any? You must know now.” </p> <p> - “Yes, there are a great many; more than I supposed.” I was struck with the + “Yes, there are a great many; more than I supposed.” I was struck with the way her voice trembled as she told me this. </p> <p> - “Do you mean that you have got them in there—and that I may see - them?” + “Do you mean that you have got them in there—and that I may see + them?” </p> <p> - “I don’t think you can see them,” said Miss Tita with an extraordinary + “I don’t think you can see them,” said Miss Tita with an extraordinary expression of entreaty in her eyes, as if the dearest hope she had in the world now was that I would not take them from her. But how could she expect me to make such a sacrifice as that after all that had passed between us? What had I come back to Venice for but to see them, to take them? My delight in learning they were still in existence was such that if the poor woman had gone down on her knees to beseech me never to mention - them again I would have treated the proceeding as a bad joke. “I have got - them but I can’t show them,” she added. + them again I would have treated the proceeding as a bad joke. “I have got + them but I can’t show them,” she added. </p> <p> - “Not even to me? Ah, Miss Tita!” I groaned, with a voice of infinite + “Not even to me? Ah, Miss Tita!” I groaned, with a voice of infinite remonstrance and reproach. </p> <p> @@ -4045,362 +4011,362 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger descended upon her. It made me quite sick to find myself confronted with that particular obstacle; all the more that it appeared to me I had been extremely encouraged to leave it out of account. I almost considered that - Miss Tita had assured me that if she had no greater hindrance than that—! - “You don’t mean to say you made her a deathbed promise? It was precisely + Miss Tita had assured me that if she had no greater hindrance than that—! + “You don’t mean to say you made her a deathbed promise? It was precisely against your doing anything of that sort that I thought I was safe. Oh, I - would rather she had burned the papers outright than that!” + would rather she had burned the papers outright than that!” </p> <p> - “No, it isn’t a promise,” said Miss Tita. + “No, it isn’t a promise,” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “Pray what is it then?” + “Pray what is it then?” </p> <p> - She hesitated and then she said, “She tried to burn them, but I prevented - it. She had hid them in her bed.” + She hesitated and then she said, “She tried to burn them, but I prevented + it. She had hid them in her bed.” </p> <p> - “In her bed?” + “In her bed?” </p> <p> - “Between the mattresses. That’s where she put them when she took them out - of the trunk. I can’t understand how she did it, because Olimpia didn’t + “Between the mattresses. That’s where she put them when she took them out + of the trunk. I can’t understand how she did it, because Olimpia didn’t help her. She tells me so, and I believe her. My aunt only told her - afterward, so that she shouldn’t touch the bed—anything but the - sheets. So it was badly made,” added Miss Tita simply. + afterward, so that she shouldn’t touch the bed—anything but the + sheets. So it was badly made,” added Miss Tita simply. </p> <p> - “I should think so! And how did she try to burn them?” + “I should think so! And how did she try to burn them?” </p> <p> - “She didn’t try much; she was too weak, those last days. But she told me—she - charged me. Oh, it was terrible! She couldn’t speak after that night; she - could only make signs.” + “She didn’t try much; she was too weak, those last days. But she told + me—she charged me. Oh, it was terrible! She couldn’t speak after that + night; she could only make signs.” </p> <p> - “And what did you do?” + “And what did you do?” </p> <p> - “I took them away. I locked them up.” + “I took them away. I locked them up.” </p> <p> - “In the secretary?” + “In the secretary?” </p> <p> - “Yes, in the secretary,” said Miss Tita, reddening again. + “Yes, in the secretary,” said Miss Tita, reddening again. </p> <p> - “Did you tell her you would burn them?” + “Did you tell her you would burn them?” </p> <p> - “No, I didn’t—on purpose.” + “No, I didn’t—on purpose.” </p> <p> - “On purpose to gratify me?” + “On purpose to gratify me?” </p> <p> - “Yes, only for that.” + “Yes, only for that.” </p> <p> - “And what good will you have done me if after all you won’t show them?” + “And what good will you have done me if after all you won’t show them?” </p> <p> - “Oh, none; I know that—I know that.” + “Oh, none; I know that—I know that.” </p> <p> - “And did she believe you had destroyed them?” + “And did she believe you had destroyed them?” </p> <p> - “I don’t know what she believed at the last. I couldn’t tell—she was - too far gone.” + “I don’t know what she believed at the last. I couldn’t tell—she was + too far gone.” </p> <p> - “Then if there was no promise and no assurance I can’t see what ties you.” + “Then if there was no promise and no assurance I can’t see what ties you.” </p> <p> - “Oh, she hated it so—she hated it so! She was so jealous. But here’s - the portrait—you may have that,” Miss Tita announced, taking the + “Oh, she hated it so—she hated it so! She was so jealous. But here’s + the portrait—you may have that,” Miss Tita announced, taking the little picture, wrapped up in the same manner in which her aunt had wrapped it, out of her pocket. </p> <p> - “I may have it—do you mean you give it to me?” I questioned, + “I may have it—do you mean you give it to me?” I questioned, staring, as it passed into my hand. </p> <p> - “Oh, yes.” + “Oh, yes.” </p> <p> - “But it’s worth money—a large sum.” + “But it’s worth money—a large sum.” </p> <p> - “Well!” said Miss Tita, still with her strange look. + “Well!” said Miss Tita, still with her strange look. </p> <p> I did not know what to make of it, for it could scarcely mean that she wanted to bargain like her aunt. She spoke as if she wished to make me a - present. “I can’t take it from you as a gift,” I said, “and yet I can’t + present. “I can’t take it from you as a gift,” I said, “and yet I can’t afford to pay you for it according to the ideas Miss Bordereau had of its - value. She rated it at a thousand pounds.” + value. She rated it at a thousand pounds.” </p> <p> - “Couldn’t we sell it?” asked Miss Tita. + “Couldn’t we sell it?” asked Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “God forbid! I prefer the picture to the money.” + “God forbid! I prefer the picture to the money.” </p> <p> - “Well then keep it.” + “Well then keep it.” </p> <p> - “You are very generous.” + “You are very generous.” </p> <p> - “So are you.” + “So are you.” </p> <p> - “I don’t know why you should think so,” I replied; and this was a truthful + “I don’t know why you should think so,” I replied; and this was a truthful speech, for the singular creature appeared to have some very fine reference in her mind, which I did not in the least seize. </p> <p> - “Well, you have made a great difference for me,” said Miss Tita. + “Well, you have made a great difference for me,” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - I looked at Jeffrey Aspern’s face in the little picture, partly in order + I looked at Jeffrey Aspern’s face in the little picture, partly in order not to look at that of my interlocutress, which had begun to trouble me, - even to frighten me a little—it was so self-conscious, so unnatural. + even to frighten me a little—it was so self-conscious, so unnatural. I made no answer to this last declaration; I only privately consulted - Jeffrey Aspern’s delightful eyes with my own (they were so young and + Jeffrey Aspern’s delightful eyes with my own (they were so young and brilliant, and yet so wise, so full of vision); I asked him what on earth was the matter with Miss Tita. He seemed to smile at me with friendly - mockery, as if he were amused at my case. I had got into a pickle for him—as - if he needed it! He was unsatisfactory, for the only moment since I had - known him. Nevertheless, now that I held the little picture in my hand I - felt that it would be a precious possession. “Is this a bribe to make me - give up the papers?” I demanded in a moment, perversely. “Much as I value + mockery, as if he were amused at my case. I had got into a pickle for + him—as if he needed it! He was unsatisfactory, for the only moment since I + had known him. Nevertheless, now that I held the little picture in my hand + I felt that it would be a precious possession. “Is this a bribe to make me + give up the papers?” I demanded in a moment, perversely. “Much as I value it, if I were to be obliged to choose, the papers are what I should - prefer. Ah, but ever so much!” + prefer. Ah, but ever so much!” </p> <p> - “How can you choose—how can you choose?” Miss Tita asked, slowly, + “How can you choose—how can you choose?” Miss Tita asked, slowly, lamentably. </p> <p> - “I see! Of course there is nothing to be said, if you regard the + “I see! Of course there is nothing to be said, if you regard the interdiction that rests upon you as quite insurmountable. In this case it must seem to you that to part with them would be an impiety of the worst - kind, a simple sacrilege!” + kind, a simple sacrilege!” </p> <p> - Miss Tita shook her head, full of her dolefulness. “You would understand - if you had known her. I’m afraid,” she quavered suddenly—“I’m - afraid! She was terrible when she was angry.” + Miss Tita shook her head, full of her dolefulness. “You would understand + if you had known her. I’m afraid,” she quavered suddenly—“I’m + afraid! She was terrible when she was angry.” </p> <p> - “Yes, I saw something of that, that night. She was terrible. Then I saw - her eyes. Lord, they were fine!” + “Yes, I saw something of that, that night. She was terrible. Then I saw + her eyes. Lord, they were fine!” </p> <p> - “I see them—they stare at me in the dark!” said Miss Tita. + “I see them—they stare at me in the dark!” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “You are nervous, with all you have been through.” + “You are nervous, with all you have been through.” </p> <p> - “Oh, yes, very—very!” + “Oh, yes, very—very!” </p> <p> - “You mustn’t mind; that will pass away,” I said, kindly. Then I added, + “You mustn’t mind; that will pass away,” I said, kindly. Then I added, resignedly, for it really seemed to me that I must accept the situation, - “Well, so it is, and it can’t be helped. I must renounce.” Miss Tita, at - this, looking at me, gave a low, soft moan, and I went on: “I only wish to + “Well, so it is, and it can’t be helped. I must renounce.” Miss Tita, at + this, looking at me, gave a low, soft moan, and I went on: “I only wish to heaven she had destroyed them; then there would be nothing more to say. - And I can’t understand why, with her ideas, she didn’t.” + And I can’t understand why, with her ideas, she didn’t.” </p> <p> - “Oh, she lived on them!” said Miss Tita. + “Oh, she lived on them!” said Miss Tita. </p> <p> - “You can imagine whether that makes me want less to see them,” I answered, - smiling. “But don’t let me stand here as if I had it in my soul to tempt + “You can imagine whether that makes me want less to see them,” I answered, + smiling. “But don’t let me stand here as if I had it in my soul to tempt you to do anything base. Naturally you will understand if I give up my - rooms. I leave Venice immediately.” And I took up my hat, which I had + rooms. I leave Venice immediately.” And I took up my hat, which I had placed on a chair. We were still there rather awkwardly, on our feet, in the middle of the sala. She had left the door of the apartments open behind her but she had not led me that way. </p> <p> - A kind of spasm came into her face as she saw me take my hat. “Immediately—do - you mean today?” The tone of the words was tragical—they were a cry - of desolation. + A kind of spasm came into her face as she saw me take my hat. + “Immediately—do you mean today?” The tone of the words was tragical—they + were a cry of desolation. </p> <p> - “Oh, no; not so long as I can be of the least service to you.” + “Oh, no; not so long as I can be of the least service to you.” </p> <p> - “Well, just a day or two more—just two or three days,” she panted. - Then controlling herself, she added in another manner, “She wanted to say - something to me—the last day—something very particular, but - she couldn’t.” + “Well, just a day or two more—just two or three days,” she panted. + Then controlling herself, she added in another manner, “She wanted to say + something to me—the last day—something very particular, but + she couldn’t.” </p> <p> - “Something very particular?” + “Something very particular?” </p> <p> - “Something more about the papers.” + “Something more about the papers.” </p> <p> - “And did you guess—have you any idea?” + “And did you guess—have you any idea?” </p> <p> - “No, I have thought—but I don’t know. I have thought all kinds of - things.” + “No, I have thought—but I don’t know. I have thought all kinds of + things.” </p> <p> - “And for instance?” + “And for instance?” </p> <p> - “Well, that if you were a relation it would be different.” + “Well, that if you were a relation it would be different.” </p> <p> - “If I were a relation?” + “If I were a relation?” </p> <p> - “If you were not a stranger. Then it would be the same for you as for me. - Anything that is mine—would be yours, and you could do what you - like. I couldn’t prevent you—and you would have no responsibility.” + “If you were not a stranger. Then it would be the same for you as for me. + Anything that is mine—would be yours, and you could do what you + like. I couldn’t prevent you—and you would have no responsibility.” </p> <p> She brought out this droll explanation with a little nervous rush, as if she were speaking words she had got by heart. They gave me an impression of subtlety and at first I failed to follow. But after a moment her face helped me to see further, and then a light came into my mind. It was - embarrassing, and I bent my head over Jeffrey Aspern’s portrait. What an - odd expression was in his face! “Get out of it as you can, my dear - fellow!” I put the picture into the pocket of my coat and said to Miss - Tita, “Yes, I’ll sell it for you. I shan’t get a thousand pounds by any - means, but I shall get something good.” + embarrassing, and I bent my head over Jeffrey Aspern’s portrait. What an + odd expression was in his face! “Get out of it as you can, my dear + fellow!” I put the picture into the pocket of my coat and said to Miss + Tita, “Yes, I’ll sell it for you. I shan’t get a thousand pounds by any + means, but I shall get something good.” </p> <p> She looked at me with tears in her eyes, but she seemed to try to smile as - she remarked, “We can divide the money.” + she remarked, “We can divide the money.” </p> <p> - “No, no, it shall be all yours.” Then I went on, “I think I know what your + “No, no, it shall be all yours.” Then I went on, “I think I know what your poor aunt wanted to say. She wanted to give directions that her papers - should be buried with her.” + should be buried with her.” </p> <p> Miss Tita appeared to consider this suggestion for a moment; after which - she declared, with striking decision, “Oh no, she wouldn’t have thought - that safe!” + she declared, with striking decision, “Oh no, she wouldn’t have thought + that safe!” </p> <p> - “It seems to me nothing could be safer.” + “It seems to me nothing could be safer.” </p> <p> - “She had an idea that when people want to publish they are capable—” + “She had an idea that when people want to publish they are capable—” And she paused, blushing. </p> <p> - “Of violating a tomb? Mercy on us, what must she have thought of me!” + “Of violating a tomb? Mercy on us, what must she have thought of me!” </p> <p> - “She was not just, she was not generous!” Miss Tita cried with sudden + “She was not just, she was not generous!” Miss Tita cried with sudden passion. </p> <p> - The light that had come into my mind a moment before increased. “Ah, don’t - say that, for we ARE a dreadful race.” Then I pursued, “If she left a - will, that may give you some idea.” + The light that had come into my mind a moment before increased. “Ah, don’t + say that, for we <em>are</em> a dreadful race.” Then I pursued, “If she + left a will, that may give you some idea.” </p> <p> - “I have found nothing of the sort—she destroyed it. She was very - fond of me,” Miss Tita added incongruously. “She wanted me to be happy. - And if any person should be kind to me—she wanted to speak of that.” + “I have found nothing of the sort—she destroyed it. She was very + fond of me,” Miss Tita added incongruously. “She wanted me to be happy. + And if any person should be kind to me—she wanted to speak of that.” </p> <p> I was almost awestricken at the astuteness with which the good lady found herself inspired, transparent astuteness as it was and sewn, as the phrase - is, with white thread. “Depend upon it she didn’t want to make any - provision that would be agreeable to me.” + is, with white thread. “Depend upon it she didn’t want to make any + provision that would be agreeable to me.” </p> <p> - “No, not to you but to me. She knew I should like it if you could carry + “No, not to you but to me. She knew I should like it if you could carry out your idea. Not because she cared for you but because she did think of - me,” Miss Tita went on with her unexpected, persuasive volubility. “You - could see them—you could use them.” She stopped, seeing that I - perceived the sense of that conditional—stopped long enough for me + me,” Miss Tita went on with her unexpected, persuasive volubility. “You + could see them—you could use them.” She stopped, seeing that I + perceived the sense of that conditional—stopped long enough for me to give some sign which I did not give. She must have been conscious, however, that though my face showed the greatest embarrassment that was ever painted on a human countenance it was not set as a stone, it was also full of compassion. It was a comfort to me a long time afterward to consider that she could not have seen in me the smallest symptom of - disrespect. “I don’t know what to do; I’m too tormented, I’m too ashamed!” + disrespect. “I don’t know what to do; I’m too tormented, I’m too ashamed!” she continued with vehemence. Then turning away from me and burying her face in her hands she burst into a flood of tears. If she did not know what to do it may be imagined whether I did any better. I stood there dumb, watching her while her sobs resounded in the great empty hall. In a - moment she was facing me again, with her streaming eyes. “I would give you - everything—and she would understand, where she is—she would - forgive me!” + moment she was facing me again, with her streaming eyes. “I would give you + everything—and she would understand, where she is—she would + forgive me!” </p> <p> - “Ah, Miss Tita—ah, Miss Tita,” I stammered, for all reply. I did not + “Ah, Miss Tita—ah, Miss Tita,” I stammered, for all reply. I did not know what to do, as I say, but at a venture I made a wild, vague movement in consequence of which I found myself at the door. I remember standing - there and saying, “It wouldn’t do—it wouldn’t do!” pensively, + there and saying, “It wouldn’t do—it wouldn’t do!” pensively, awkwardly, grotesquely, while I looked away to the opposite end of the sala as if there were a beautiful view there. The next thing I remember is that I was downstairs and out of the house. My gondola was there and my gondolier, reclining on the cushions, sprang up as soon as he saw me. I - jumped in and to his usual “Dove commanda?” I replied, in a tone that made - him stare, “Anywhere, anywhere; out into the lagoon!” + jumped in and to his usual “<i lang="it">Dove commanda?</i>” I replied, + in a tone that made him stare, “Anywhere, anywhere; out into the lagoon!” </p> <p> He rowed me away and I sat there prostrate, groaning softly to myself, with my hat pulled over my face. What in the name of the preposterous did - she mean if she did not mean to offer me her hand? That was the price—that + she mean if she did not mean to offer me her hand? That was the price—that was the price! And did she think I wanted it, poor deluded, infatuated, extravagant lady? My gondolier, behind me, must have seen my ears red as I - wondered, sitting there under the fluttering tenda, with my hidden face, - noticing nothing as we passed—wondered whether her delusion, her - infatuation had been my own reckless work. Did she think I had made love - to her, even to get the papers? I had not, I had not; I repeated that over - to myself for an hour, for two hours, till I was wearied if not convinced. - I don’t know where my gondolier took me; we floated aimlessly about in the - lagoon, with slow, rare strokes. At last I became conscious that we were - near the Lido, far up, on the right hand, as you turn your back to Venice, - and I made him put me ashore. I wanted to walk, to move, to shed some of - my bewilderment. I crossed the narrow strip and got to the sea beach—I - took my way toward Malamocco. But presently I flung myself down again on - the warm sand, in the breeze, on the coarse dry grass. It took it out of - me to think I had been so much at fault, that I had unwittingly but - nonetheless deplorably trifled. But I had not given her cause—distinctly - I had not. I had said to Mrs. Prest that I would make love to her; but it - had been a joke without consequences and I had never said it to Tita - Bordereau. I had been as kind as possible, because I really liked her; but - since when had that become a crime where a woman of such an age and such - an appearance was concerned? I am far from remembering clearly the - succession of events and feelings during this long day of confusion, which - I spent entirely in wandering about, without going home, until late at - night; it only comes back to me that there were moments when I pacified my - conscience and others when I lashed it into pain. I did not laugh all day—that - I do recollect; the case, however it might have struck others, seemed to - me so little amusing. It would have been better perhaps for me to feel the - comic side of it. At any rate, whether I had given cause or not it went - without saying that I could not pay the price. I could not accept. I could - not, for a bundle of tattered papers, marry a ridiculous, pathetic, - provincial old woman. It was a proof that she did not think the idea would - come to me, her having determined to suggest it herself in that practical, - argumentative, heroic way, in which the timidity however had been so much - more striking than the boldness that her reasons appeared to come first - and her feelings afterward. - </p> - <p> - As the day went on I grew to wish that I had never heard of Aspern’s + wondered, sitting there under the fluttering <i lang="it">tenda</i>, with + my hidden face, noticing nothing as we passed—wondered whether her + delusion, her infatuation had been my own reckless work. Did she think I + had made love to her, even to get the papers? I had not, I had not; I + repeated that over to myself for an hour, for two hours, till I was + wearied if not convinced. I don’t know where my gondolier took me; we + floated aimlessly about in the lagoon, with slow, rare strokes. At last I + became conscious that we were near the Lido, far up, on the right hand, as + you turn your back to Venice, and I made him put me ashore. I wanted to + walk, to move, to shed some of my bewilderment. I crossed the narrow strip + and got to the sea beach—I took my way toward Malamocco. But presently I + flung myself down again on the warm sand, in the breeze, on the coarse dry + grass. It took it out of me to think I had been so much at fault, that I + had unwittingly but nonetheless deplorably trifled. But I had not given + her cause—distinctly I had not. I had said to Mrs. Prest that I would make + love to her; but it had been a joke without consequences and I had never + said it to Tita Bordereau. I had been as kind as possible, because I + really liked her; but since when had that become a crime where a woman of + such an age and such an appearance was concerned? I am far from + remembering clearly the succession of events and feelings during this long + day of confusion, which I spent entirely in wandering about, without going + home, until late at night; it only comes back to me that there were + moments when I pacified my conscience and others when I lashed it into + pain. I did not laugh all day—that I do recollect; the case, however it + might have struck others, seemed to me so little amusing. It would have + been better perhaps for me to feel the comic side of it. At any rate, + whether I had given cause or not it went without saying that I could not + pay the price. I could not accept. I could not, for a bundle of tattered + papers, marry a ridiculous, pathetic, provincial old woman. It was a proof + that she did not think the idea would come to me, her having determined to + suggest it herself in that practical, argumentative, heroic way, in which + the timidity however had been so much more striking than the boldness that + her reasons appeared to come first and her feelings afterward. + </p> + <p> + As the day went on I grew to wish that I had never heard of Aspern’s relics, and I cursed the extravagant curiosity that had put John Cumnor on the scent of them. We had more than enough material without them, and my predicament was the just punishment of that most fatal of human follies, @@ -4410,12 +4376,12 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger be placed in her hand as soon as I got clear of the house; for it was a strong sign that I was embarrassed that when I tried to make up the note in my mind in advance (I would put it on paper as soon as I got home, - before going to bed), I could not think of anything but “How can I thank - you for the rare confidence you have placed in me?” That would never do; + before going to bed), I could not think of anything but “How can I thank + you for the rare confidence you have placed in me?” That would never do; it sounded exactly as if an acceptance were to follow. Of course I might go away without writing a word, but that would be brutal and my idea was still to exclude brutal solutions. As my confusion cooled I was lost in - wonder at the importance I had attached to Miss Bordereau’s crumpled + wonder at the importance I had attached to Miss Bordereau’s crumpled scraps; the thought of them became odious to me, and I was as vexed with the old witch for the superstition that had prevented her from destroying them as I was with myself for having already spent more money than I could @@ -4424,29 +4390,30 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger composure I made my way back to my boat. I only know that in the afternoon, when the air was aglow with the sunset, I was standing before the church of Saints John and Paul and looking up at the small - square-jawed face of Bartolommeo Colleoni, the terrible condottiere who - sits so sturdily astride of his huge bronze horse, on the high pedestal on - which Venetian gratitude maintains him. The statue is incomparable, the - finest of all mounted figures, unless that of Marcus Aurelius, who rides - benignant before the Roman Capitol, be finer: but I was not thinking of - that; I only found myself staring at the triumphant captain as if he had - an oracle on his lips. The western light shines into all his grimness at + square-jawed face of Bartolommeo Colleoni, the terrible + <i lang="it">condottiere</i> who sits so sturdily astride of his huge + bronze horse, on the high pedestal on which Venetian gratitude maintains + him. The statue is incomparable, the finest of all mounted figures, unless + that of Marcus Aurelius, who rides benignant before the Roman Capitol, be + finer: but I was not thinking of that; I only found myself staring at the + triumphant captain as if he had an oracle on his lips. + The western light shines into all his grimness at that hour and makes it wonderfully personal. But he continued to look far - over my head, at the red immersion of another day—he had seen so - many go down into the lagoon through the centuries—and if he were + over my head, at the red immersion of another day—he had seen so + many go down into the lagoon through the centuries—and if he were thinking of battles and stratagems they were of a different quality from any I had to tell him of. He could not direct me what to do, gaze up at him as I might. Was it before this or after that I wandered about for an hour in the small canals, to the continued stupefaction of my gondolier, who had never seen me so restless and yet so void of a purpose and could - extract from me no order but “Go anywhere—everywhere—all over - the place”? He reminded me that I had not lunched and expressed therefore + extract from me no order but “Go anywhere—everywhere—all over + the place”? He reminded me that I had not lunched and expressed therefore respectfully the hope that I would dine earlier. He had had long periods of leisure during the day, when I had left the boat and rambled, so that I was not obliged to consider him, and I told him that that day, for a - change, I would touch no meat. It was an effect of poor Miss Tita’s + change, I would touch no meat. It was an effect of poor Miss Tita’s proposal, not altogether auspicious, that I had quite lost my appetite. I - don’t know why it happened that on this occasion I was more than ever + don’t know why it happened that on this occasion I was more than ever struck with that queer air of sociability, of cousinship and family life, which makes up half the expression of Venice. Without streets and vehicles, the uproar of wheels, the brutality of horses, and with its @@ -4477,7 +4444,7 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger candle burning under a shelf. Was I still in time to save my goods? That question was in my heart; for what had now come to pass was that in the unconscious cerebration of sleep I had swung back to a passionate - appreciation of Miss Bordereau’s papers. They were now more precious than + appreciation of Miss Bordereau’s papers. They were now more precious than ever, and a kind of ferocity had come into my desire to possess them. The condition Miss Tita had attached to the possession of them no longer appeared an obstacle worth thinking of, and for an hour, that morning, my @@ -4489,15 +4456,15 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger me I had invented no alternative, though to do so I had had all the time that I was dressing. This failure was humiliating, yet what could the alternative be? Miss Tita sent back word that I might come; and as I - descended the stairs and crossed the sala to her door—this time she - received me in her aunt’s forlorn parlor—I hoped she would not think + descended the stairs and crossed the sala to her door—this time she + received me in her aunt’s forlorn parlor—I hoped she would not think my errand was to tell her I accepted her hand. She certainly would have made the day before the reflection that I declined it. </p> <p> As soon as I came into the room I saw that she had drawn this inference, but I also saw something which had not been in my forecast. Poor Miss - Tita’s sense of her failure had produced an extraordinary alteration in + Tita’s sense of her failure had produced an extraordinary alteration in her, but I had been too full of my literary concupiscence to think of that. Now I perceived it; I can scarcely tell how it startled me. She stood in the middle of the room with a face of mildness bent upon me, and @@ -4505,55 +4472,55 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger her; she was younger; she was not a ridiculous old woman. This optical trick gave her a sort of phantasmagoric brightness, and while I was still the victim of it I heard a whisper somewhere in the depths of my - conscience: “Why not, after all—why not?” It seemed to me I was + conscience: “Why not, after all—why not?” It seemed to me I was ready to pay the price. Still more distinctly however than the whisper I - heard Miss Tita’s own voice. I was so struck with the different effect she + heard Miss Tita’s own voice. I was so struck with the different effect she made upon me that at first I was not clearly aware of what she was saying; - then I perceived she had bade me goodbye—she said something about + then I perceived she had bade me goodbye—she said something about hoping I should be very happy. </p> <p> - “Goodbye—goodbye?” I repeated with an inflection interrogative and + “Goodbye—goodbye?” I repeated with an inflection interrogative and probably foolish. </p> <p> I saw she did not feel the interrogation, she only heard the words; she had strung herself up to accepting our separation and they fell upon her - ear as a proof. “Are you going today?” she asked. “But it doesn’t matter, - for whenever you go I shall not see you again. I don’t want to.” And she + ear as a proof. “Are you going today?” she asked. “But it doesn’t matter, + for whenever you go I shall not see you again. I don’t want to.” And she smiled strangely, with an infinite gentleness. She had never doubted that I had left her the day before in horror. How could she, since I had not come back before night to contradict, even as a simple form, such an idea? - And now she had the force of soul—Miss Tita with force of soul was a - new conception—to smile at me in her humiliation. + And now she had the force of soul—Miss Tita with force of soul was a + new conception—to smile at me in her humiliation. </p> <p> - “What shall you do—where shall you go?” I asked. + “What shall you do—where shall you go?” I asked. </p> <p> - “Oh, I don’t know. I have done the great thing. I have destroyed the - papers.” + “Oh, I don’t know. I have done the great thing. I have destroyed the + papers.” </p> <p> - “Destroyed them?” I faltered. + “Destroyed them?” I faltered. </p> <p> - “Yes; what was I to keep them for? I burned them last night, one by one, - in the kitchen.” + “Yes; what was I to keep them for? I burned them last night, one by one, + in the kitchen.” </p> <p> - “One by one?” I repeated, mechanically. + “One by one?” I repeated, mechanically. </p> <p> - “It took a long time—there were so many.” The room seemed to go + “It took a long time—there were so many.” The room seemed to go round me as she said this, and a real darkness for a moment descended upon my eyes. When it passed Miss Tita was there still, but the transfiguration was over and she had changed back to a plain, dingy, elderly person. It - was in this character she spoke as she said, “I can’t stay with you - longer, I can’t;” and it was in this character that she turned her back + was in this character she spoke as she said, “I can’t stay with you + longer, I can’t;” and it was in this character that she turned her back upon me, as I had turned mine upon her twenty-four hours before, and moved to the door of her room. Here she did what I had not done when I quitted - her—she paused long enough to give me one look. I have never + her—she paused long enough to give me one look. I have never forgotten it and I sometimes still suffer from it, though it was not resentful. No, there was no resentment, nothing hard or vindictive in poor Miss Tita; for when, later, I sent her in exchange for the portrait of @@ -4565,377 +4532,8 @@ Produced by Judith Boss and David Widger chagrin at the loss of the letters becomes almost intolerable. </p> <p> - <br /><br /> + <br ><br > </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Aspern Papers, by Henry James - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ASPERN PAPERS *** - -***** This file should be named 211-h.htm or 211-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/211/ - -Produced by Judith Boss and David WidgerS - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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