登陆注册
5258500000072

第72章 XXIII(2)

"Capital food of its kind, no doubt, but coarsish, don't you think? Well, I don't mind ... it's rather a jolly change from the Luxe cooking. A new sensation--I'm all for new sensations, ain't you, my dear?" He re-filled their champagne glasses, flung an arm sideways over his chair, and smiled at her with a foggy benevolence.

As the champagne flowed his confidences flowed with it.

"Suppose you know what I'm here for--this divorce business? We wanted to settle it quietly without a fuss, and of course Paris is the best place for that sort of job. Live and let live; no questions asked. None of your dirty newspapers. Great country, this. No hypocrisy ... they understand Life over here!"

Susy gazed and listened. She remembered that people had thought Nelson would make a row when he found out. He had always been addicted to truculent anecdotes about unfaithful wives, and the very formula of his perpetual ejaculation-- "Caught you at it, eh?"--seemed to hint at a constant preoccupation with such ideas. But now it was evident that, as the saying was, he had "swallowed his dose" like all the others. No strong blast of indignation had momentarily lifted him above his normal stature: he remained a little man among little men, and his eagerness to rebuild his life with all the old smiling optimism reminded Susy of the patient industry of an ant remaking its ruined ant-heap.

"Tell you what, great thing, this liberty! Everything's changed nowadays; why shouldn't marriage be too? A man can get out of a business partnership when he wants to; but the parsons want to keep us noosed up to each other for life because we've blundered into a church one day and said 'Yes' before one of 'em. No, no--that's too easy. We've got beyond that. Science, and all these new discoveries .... I say the Ten Commandments were made for man, and not man for the Commandments; and there ain't a word against divorce in 'em, anyhow! That's what I tell my poor old mother, who builds everything on her Bible. Find me the place where it says: 'Thou shalt not sue for divorce.' It makes her wild, poor old lady, because she can't; and she doesn't know how they happen to have left it out.... I rather think Moses left it out because he knew more about human nature than these snivelling modern parsons do. Not that they'll always bear investigating either; but I don't care about that.

Live and let live, eh, Susy? Haven't we all got a right to our Affinities? I hear you're following our example yourself.

First-rate idea: I don't mind telling you I saw it coming on last summer at Venice. Caught you at it, so to speak! Old Nelson ain't as blind as people think. Here, let's open another bottle to the health of Streff and Mrs. Streff!"

She caught the hand with which he was signalling to the sommelier. This flushed and garrulous Nelson moved her more poignantly than a more heroic figure. "No more champagne, please, Nelson. Besides," she suddenly added, "it's not true."

He stared. "Not true that you're going to marry Altringham?"

"No."

"By George then what on earth did you chuck Nick for? Ain't you got an Affinity, my dear?"

She laughed and shook her head.

"Do you mean to tell me it's all Nick's doing, then?"

"I don't know. Let's talk of you instead, Nelson. I'm glad you're in such good spirits. I rather thought--"

He interrupted her quickly. "Thought I'd cut up a rumpus-do some shooting? I know--people did." He twisted his moustache, evidently proud of his reputation. "Well, maybe I did see red for a day or two--but I'm a philosopher, first and last. Before I went into banking I'd made and lost two fortunes out West.

Well, how did I build 'em up again? Not by shooting anybody even myself. By just buckling to, and beginning all over again.

That's how ... and that's what I am doing now. Beginning all over again. " His voice dropped from boastfulness to a note of wistful melancholy, the look of strained jauntiness fell from his face like a mask, and for an instant she saw the real man, old, ruined, lonely. Yes, that was it: he was lonely, desperately lonely, foundering in such deep seas of solitude that any presence out of the past was like a spar to which he clung. Whatever he knew or guessed of the part she had played in his disaster, it was not callousness that had made him greet her with such forgiving warmth, but the same sense of smallness, insignificance and isolation which perpetually hung like a cold fog on her own horizon. Suddenly she too felt old--old and unspeakably tired.

"It's been nice seeing you, Nelson. But now I must be getting home."

He offered no objection, but asked for the bill, resumed his jaunty air while he scattered largesse among the waiters, and sauntered out behind her after calling for a taxi.

They drove off in silence. Susy was thinking: "And Clarissa?" but dared not ask. Vanderlyn lit a cigarette, hummed a dance- tune, and stared out of the window. Suddenly she felt his hand on hers.

"Susy--do you ever see her?"

"See--Ellie?"

同类推荐
  • 修真精义杂论

    修真精义杂论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 词综

    词综

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 净慈要语

    净慈要语

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 寄修睦上人

    寄修睦上人

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 劝报亲恩篇

    劝报亲恩篇

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 拽上我的复仇公主

    拽上我的复仇公主

    10岁之前的两姐妹,是慕容家族的千金小姐,可是因为一个天大的阴谋,父亲不认,母亲因为证明自己的清白自杀,同父异母的妹妹更是出言恶毒,她带着妹妹从家里逃出来,还被追杀,又被人拐骗卖到美国做女佣,她们发誓,一定要活下去,要回来报仇。经过7年的蜕变,她们回到中国,回来报复所有该报复的人,殊不知这背后还有着一个更大的阴谋。
  • 大亨的小债妻

    大亨的小债妻

    原名:总裁的还债女人该死的,是谁碰了她一下,害的她托盘里的酒撒在了正在和某个美女调情的男子身上。“什么,二十万?”就这两块破布值二十万,肯定是碰瓷来的。直接被某个男人带去了全市最顶尖的百货商店,在店长的微笑介绍中,原来真的要二十万呀找不到那个推自己的可恶男子,十二般不愿意的先答应只好赔他了,哼哼,我真的会赔你吗,三十六计最后一计是什么,逃。可是为啥没想到一个月后再见到这个男人,这次这个男人不仅要本金还要附带利息,还将自己的家庭地址甚至自己的过去二十几年查的清清楚楚,看来不还是不行的了。“可是,俺是真的没有钱还你了。”某女可怜兮兮的说道。“那就用你的身体来还了。”某男酷酷的说道。虾米,为啥一次不够,还要两个月,卖糕的!为了弟弟能够顺利的上学,她迫不得已成了他的情妇与秘书,让她在道德跟前抬不起头来,可谁知,自己竟渐渐迷失了心。他有了美丽的未婚妻,出生名门,高贵典雅,更重要的是她爱他,而他也爱她,他们站在一起,所有人都说他们是一对璧人,天造地设的一对,没有人注意到角落里失落的她“我不管你爱不爱我,但是我想让你知道我爱你。”鼓起勇气对他表白“你不配爱我。即使我们以后在街上见面,也是路人。”冷酷无情的话从他的嘴里说出。她是他情妇的事情还是被曝光了,媒体杂志把她写的非常的不堪,这对他而言,无疑是自己众多八卦中很小的一条,微不足道,而对于她来说,确是一场毁灭,自己能做的,就是找一个陌生的地方,静静的让时间舔着自己的伤口。“不好意思。”走的匆忙,不小心碰掉了一个孩子手中的可爱多,慕子寒抱歉的说道。“没关系。”田若兮淡淡的说。然后放下手中抱着的孩子,说:“宝宝,我们将这个拾起来扔进垃圾桶好不好?”很熟悉的声音,慕子寒回首,看见一个熟悉的身影,正所谓,梦里寻她千百度,暮然回首,那人却在灯火阑珊处,只见那个缩小版的他拾起地上掉下的可爱多,拉着若兮的手,走到不远的垃圾桶旁,扔了进去,临转身时,冲着他笑着,用稚气的声音说:“叔叔,没有关系。”即使隔着人群,也能听得清清楚楚,怔在原地,没有了反应,待到自己反应了过来,那个一大一小的身影早已淹没在了人群里。再见是陌路,她做到了,而他没有做到。伤害过后,他们还会在一起吗?票票越多,收藏越多,更新越快哦!这篇文以诙谐为主,本文男主腹黑,女主皮黑,后半卷小虐!渺渺的现代都市新文:《黑道总裁之借腹生子》链接:上卷:
  • 六道佩恩的自我修养

    六道佩恩的自我修养

    从坑爹系统里选择成为年幼的长门,同时接到了一个坑爹的终极任务不管这个终极任务是什么,总之先把火影里看不过去的东西都给矫正过来好了,忍界和平,由我长门来完成至于之后再被系统扔到哪个世界,到时候再说吧
  • 狂医废材妃

    狂医废材妃

    【新书《纨绔天医》已发布!】“阎王要人三更死,叶神让人死回生!”——世纪神医叶千璃,一手银针斗阎王,战死神,百战百胜从不失手。一昔穿越,她成了王朝贵女,可惜爹不疼娘不爱,还被表妹下毒陷害,想要毁她神女之体,夺她男人抢她钱?滚蛋!神医附体,凶神横起。修神功炼神丹,踩白莲怒打脸,叫你知道什么叫天之骄女!天材地宝自己产,走哪宝贝随便捡,就是叫人羡慕嫉妒恨。不过毒素太猛,她情急之下“冒犯”了个高冷美男子,传说他是王朝的主神,学府的男神,逮着她就要死要活、你死我亡,这怎么搞?------------------------连玦言情大玄幻新作,谱写一对一超爽大剧,带你撩美男!打渣渣,好看到流鼻血,哈哈哈……◆◆坑品五星,跳坑不死,收藏长虹!更新必爆。◆◆特别说明:作者有一颗玻璃心,不接受恶意乱喷,不喜请打叉走人,你好我好大家好,谢谢!◆◆温馨提示:本文是《神医废材妃》男女主儿子,小墨墨和他媳妇儿的故事~
  • 盛世天下之农门弃妇

    盛世天下之农门弃妇

    一贫如洗时寒窗苦读,金榜题名时洞房花烛,只可惜,新娘不是她这个小农妇!一纸休书快马加鞭,几年辛苦喂了白眼狼!种田、织布、绣花、喂牲畜,洗衣、做饭、伺候公婆、教养孩子。气血郁结,一朝睁眼,潋滟芳华。生不出儿子就来抢我的?唇边勾起一抹嘲讽,秦羽瑶一把护住儿子,飞腿踢飞一干侍卫——想要儿子?下辈子吧!这一次,她只为自己发光发热,她要把最好的捧到儿子面前!掂掂勺子,开开布庄。只不过想让日子好过点,艾玛,一不小心,却名动天下,最后万人景仰。还有,这个一脸猥琐笑容的妖孽男人是怎么回事,竟然敢觊觎她这个小娘子?------“瑶儿,想当年……”渣男当街拦住,欲作忏悔。啪!一锭银子丢过去,砸落他半边牙齿。“老娘就是后悔当初如花年华全泡在农粪里了,还敢跟我谈当年,我和你有个毛线的当年!”秦羽瑶用缠枝金钗拨了拨碎发。“瑶儿,话也不能这么说,一日夫妻百日恩,更何况……更何况我们还有孩子。”渣男继续好言劝着,他就不信这小农妇不看这点薄面替他求情。“爹爹?”边上的小不点跑出来,一脸臭屁道,“你哪一点像我爹爹?就你那副尊容怎么可能会有本少爷这么帅气的儿子!”------“窈窕淑女,君子好逑……”宇文景身着蟒服,手摇折扇,深情款款地念诗。“我不做妾,皇帝的妾也不行!”秦羽瑶昂首擦过。白衣王爷噙着清浅笑容,薄唇轻启,丝滑的声音流淌而出:“瑶儿,坐到我身边来。”在一干羡慕嫉妒的目光中,秦羽瑶大步上前,在男人颊上一吻:“这是我的,你们都离远点!”“爹爹,娘亲……还有我……”
  • 去你丫的泡沫爱情

    去你丫的泡沫爱情

    这是被利益金钱侵袭的2030年,剽悍单纯的钱沫沫始终遇见的都是泡沫一样的爱情,看起来美好透明五彩缤纷,其实不堪一击。因为利益,或是因为别的……
  • 健商保证智慧(下)

    健商保证智慧(下)

    “健商”是健康商数的简称。它反映人的健康才智,是评估个人健康的全新方法。健商作为一种保持人身心健康的崭新理念,开启了一个激动人心、生机勃勃的全新领域,它将数千年人类智慧的结晶、现代医学的恩赐和最新的生命科学技术结合在一起,从而大大满足了个人健康的需求。
  • 婚姻危机:寂寞杏花红

    婚姻危机:寂寞杏花红

    结婚四年的严佳感叹婚姻生活如此平淡,跟丈夫方振乾开玩笑说想红杏出墙一番,却不料一场婚姻危机却在向她悄悄逼近,方振乾的初恋女友华梅在海外飘了一圈后又回到国内,千帆过尽,还是觉得方振乾最好,在偶然与蓄意的双重机遇下,她跟方振乾越走越近,终于,一场情感纠葛在三人之间引爆了……
  • 竞岗

    竞岗

    孙岩云接到电话的时候正在南京路上逛街,陪着她的是大学同学马力大。余远博在电话里很着急,叫她尽早赶回来,说是竞争上岗马上要开始了,估计下周就会公布方案。孙岩云当科级干部有年头了,一直想上新台阶,但几次努力都失败。检察院的干部一向内部循环多,外放机会少,主要因为工作太专业,院里不舍得外放,外单位还嫌他们不熟悉业务。新来的女检察长油盐不进,既不喜欢出去吃饭喝酒,也不爱穿衣打扮,好像除了工作,其他都不感兴趣。孙岩云送过一瓶法国香水,被她拒绝了,便知过去那一套在她这里行不通。没有办法拉近跟新领导的关系,只得去找老上级。
  • 死去的太阳

    死去的太阳

    《死去的太阳》以五卅惨案为背景。主人公吴养清目睹了南京路上的大屠杀。他热血沸腾,义愤填膺。他受上海学生会的委派到南京活动。南京的工人和学生携手罢工罢课。他在南京外交后援会上遇见了少年时代青梅竹马的女友程庆芬,七年分别,程已与别人订婚。这次重逢二人才发现彼此相爱很深。痛苦中程悒郁而死,吴养清却渡过了感情的波澜。工人教育了他,王学礼这些革命者的牺牲精神感动了他,他在实际斗争中走向成熟。他觉得王学礼并不曾死去,他不过是一个死去的太阳,“依然会和第二天的黎明同升起来,以它底新生的光辉普照人间”。