1895
THE KISS
by Kate Chopin
Electronically Enhanced Text (c) Copyright 1996, World Library(R)
Kiss
It was still quite light out of doors, but inside with the
curtains drawn and the smouldering fire sending out a dim uncertain
glow, the room was full of deep shadows.
Brantain sat in one of these shadows; it had overtaken him and he
did not mind. The obscurity lent him courage to keep his eyes fastened
as ardently as he liked upon the girl who sat in the firelight.
She was very handsome, with a certain fine, rich coloring that
belongs to the healthy brune type. She was quite composed, as she idly
stroked the satiny coat of the cat that lay curled in her lap, and she
occasionally sent a slow glance into the shadow where her companion
sat. They were talking low, of indifferent things which plainly were
not the things that occupied their thoughts. She knew that he loved
her- a frank, blustering fellow without guile enough to conceal his
feelings, and no desire to do so. For two weeks past he had sought her
society eagerly and persistently. She was confidently waiting for
him to declare himself and she meant to accept him. The rather
insignificant and unattractive Brantain was enormously rich; and she
liked and required the entourage which wealth could give her.
During one of the pauses between their talk of the last tea and
the next reception the door opened and a young man entered whom
Brantain knew quite well. The girl turned her face toward him. A
stride or two brought him to her side, and bending over her chair-
before she could suspect his intention, for she did not realize that
he had not seen her visitor- he pressed an ardent, lingering kiss upon
her lips.
Brantain slowly arose; so did the girl arise, but quickly, and the
newcomer stood between them, a little amusement and some defiance
struggling with the confusion in his face.
"I believe," stammered Brantain, "I see that I have stayed too long.
I- I had no idea- that is, I must wish you good-by." He was
clutching his hat with both hands, and probably did not perceive
that she was extending her hand to him, her presence of mind had not
completely deserted her; but she could not have trusted herself to
speak.
"Hang me if I saw him sitting there, Nattie! I know it's deuced
awkward for you. But I hope you'll forgive me this once- this very
first break. Why what's the matter?"
"Don't touch me; don't come near me," she returned angrily. "What do
you mean by entering the house without ringing?"
"I came in with your brother, as I often do," he answered coldly, in
self-justification. "We came in the side way. He went upstairs and I
came in here hoping to find you. The explanation is simple enough
and ought to satisfy you that the misadventure was unavoidable. But do
say that you forgive me, Nathalie," he entreated, softening.
"Forgive you! You don't know what you are talking about. Let me
pass. It depends upon- a good deal whether I ever forgive you."
At that next reception which she and Brantain had been talking about
she approached the young man with a delicious frankness of manner when
she saw him there.
"Will you let me speak to you a moment or two, Mr. Brantain?" she
asked with an engaging but perturbed smile. He seemed extremely
unhappy; but when she took his arm and walked away with him, seeking a
retired corner, a ray of hope mingled with the almost comical misery
of his expression. She was apparently very outspoken.
"Perhaps I should not have sought this interview, Mr. Brantain; but-
but, oh, I have been very uncomfortable, almost miserable since that
little encounter the other afternoon. When I thought how you might
have misinterpreted it, and believed things"- hope was plainly gaining
the ascendancy over misery in Brantain's round, guileless face- "of
course, I know it is nothing to you, but for my own sake I do want you
to understand that Mr. Harvy is an intimate friend of long standing.
Why, we have always been like cousins- like brother and sister, I
may say. He is my brother's most intimate associate and often
fancies that he is entitled to the same privileges as the family.
Oh, I know it is absurd, uncalled for, to tell you this; undignified
even," she was almost weeping, "but it makes so much difference to
me what you think of- of me." Her voice had grown very low and
agitated. The misery had all disappeared from Brantain's face.
"Then you do really care what I think, Miss Nathalie? May I call you
Miss Nathalie?" They turned into a long, dim corridor that was lined
on either side with tall, graceful plants. They walked slowly to the
very end of it. When they turned to retrace their steps Brantain's
face was radiant and hers was triumphant.
Harvy was among the guests at the wedding; and he sought her out
in a rare moment when she stood alone.
"Your husband," he said, smiling, "has sent me over to kiss you."
A quick blush suffused her face and round polished throat. "I
suppose it's natural for a man to feel and act generously on an
occasion of this kind. He tells me he doesn't want his marriage to
interrupt wholly that pleasant intimacy which has existed between
you and me. I don't know what you've been telling him," with an
insolent smile, "but he has sent me here to kiss you."
She felt like a chess player who, by the clever handling of his
pieces, sees the game taking the course intended. Her eyes were bright
and tender with a smile as they glanced up into his; and her lips
looked hungry for the kiss which they invited.
"But, you know," he went on quietly, "I didn't tell him so, it would
have seemed ungrateful, but I can tell you. I've stopped kissing
women; it's dangerous."
Well, she had Brantain and his million left. A person can't have
everything in this world; and it was a little unreasonable of her to
expect it.
THE END
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