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.But this feeling lasted only for a second.When he saw Ingeborg fingering her necklace and smiling at him through her tears, he knew that even if he could have escaped he would not do so now for anything in the world.The effect of this announcement on Fru Lindblom was wonderful.She rushed to where Gervase and Ingeborg were standing and tried to enfold them, both at once, in her arms, calling them her dear son and daughter.‘Oh, my dear Gervase,’ she said, her voice trembling with emotion, ‘as soon as I saw you I knew that you could be a dear son to me.And I have watched you two children together.I have seen it coming and now it has come.Oh, this wonderful Christmas Day!’ And with her eyes shining and her head held high she stalked from the room like an actor making a triumphant exit.When Gervase arrived at his aunt’s house everything seemed very English and normal.Rhoda wished him the Compliments of the Season in a respectful, colourless voice as he gave her the present which Flora had helped him to choose.He paused outside the drawing-room door, took a deep breath and went in.Flora rushed to greet him, and it looked as if she only just managed, by a great effort of will, to stop herself flinging her arms around him.‘Oh, Gervase,’ she said, ‘a very happy Christmas.Now everything is complete.’She went prancing around the room in great excitement when she had unwrapped Gervase’s present to her, which was a brightly coloured Finnish scarf of printed wool which suited her admirably.She wrapped it around her shoulders like a shawl and hugged the ends to her breast, as if she wanted to keep it as close to her heart as possible.‘I’m glad you like it,’ said Gervase.‘It looks very nice on you.’‘Did you choose it all by yourself?’ asked Flora fondly, raising her eyes to his.‘Yes, I am proud to say that I did,’ he replied, returning her glance.For a moment they stood looking at each other.Flora was the first to look away because she suddenly found her eyes filling with tears.She went over to another corner of the room and began re-arranging the ornaments on the Christmas tree.When she had collected herself she said, ‘I have got a book for you,’ handing Gervase a parcel, ‘an anthology.I hope you will be able to find comfort in it for many years.I’ve been reading it myself for the past week.’‘And did it bring comfort?’ asked Gervase awkwardly.‘Comfort!’ Flora suddenly became very bright and sparkling.‘I don’t need comfort, do I, Aunt Emily?’‘I should think not,’ said Miss Moberley.‘Have you shown Gervase your presents yet?’‘No, I don’t really think he’d be interested,’ said Flora quickly.‘Wait until you see what Ooli has given her,’ said Miss Moberley archly.‘I don’t see why Gervase should be made to inspect my presents,’ said Flora rather sulkily.She rolled up her left sleeve and held out her wrist.On it was an elegant platinum watch set with diamonds.‘There!’ she said defiantly, but as she looked at it she could not resist a pleased smile.‘Good Heavens!’ said Gervase.‘Did Ooli give you this? I had no idea things were that serious.’‘One must expect an attractive girl like Flora to have other strings to her bow,’ said Miss Moberley.‘The Count sends her flowers every day.He really is a charming young man.One of the oldest families in Finland, but of course they live on their estates in the country, which explains why I haven’t met them before.Now, Gervase, you know who your rival is,’ she said.‘Well, I’m afraid I have no chance against a rich attractive Finnish Count,’ said Gervase smoothly.‘All I can do is retire at once.’Flora flung him a contemptuous glance.How gracefully he did things and how she hated him for it.‘Am I to meet my rival tonight?’ asked Gervase.‘No, he’s in the country with his family,’ said Flora.‘Then I am afraid you will have to put up with second best,’ said Gervase.‘I never thought the Finns would be robbing me like this – and one of my own students, too,’ he added comfortably.The evening was to be devoted to the entertainment of Miss Moberley’s circle, the English community who attended her At Homes and expected to be invited for the more prominent festivals of the Church.Flora, who had gone to change, came into the room.She was wearing a white dress with some of Ooli’s scarlet carnations pinned at the waist.The new watch shone proudly on her wrist.‘Flora,’ said Gervase, ‘you look marvellous!’‘Thank you, Gervase,’ said Flora brightly.She was feeling marvellous now.After the guests had finally departed Miss Moberley went to bed, leaving Gervase and Flora by themselves in the drawing room.Gervase lit a cigarette and slumped into an armchair.Flora put her feet up on the sofa and lay with her head dangling over the edge and her hair streaming down like seaweed.She looked at her new wristwatch and yawned.‘Die arme Flora,’ she said.‘Why?’ asked Gervase in a tired voice.‘Why is it always Flora who is poor?’‘Weg ist alles, was du liebtest, or something like that,’ said Flora languidly.‘You mean, someone you love isn’t here?’ said Gervase cautiously, a hope rising and taking possession of him.‘I suppose I may have meant that, but at this very instant I feel quite happy in this room with you.’ Flora roused herself and looked at him.‘There you are, Gervase Harringay, sitting in a chair doing nothing, saying nothing, just looking nice.’‘But that isn’t enough for you,’ said Gervase firmly.‘You know it isn’t.’‘Yes, I do know it is not enough,’ said Flora in a careful tone as if she were repeating something she had learned by heart.‘I want more.’‘And you’ll get it,’ said Gervase, looking pleased.‘You and Ooli are in love with each other, aren’t you?’‘The Count and I are good friends,’ she said.‘Well, friendship is a great thing,’ said Gervase, standing up.‘And you never know which way it will turn.I must be going now.’Flora stood up too and linked her arm through his.‘Do you realize, Gervase,’ she said in a calm level tone, ‘that this may be our last Christmas together?’‘What do you mean?’ asked Gervase irritably.He hoped Flora wasn’t going to be difficult.‘Well, things will probably be quite different by this time next year,’ she said.‘Things, as you call them, generally are different from one year to the next,’ observed Gervase shortly.‘Oh, Gervase, don’t pretend not to know what I mean.You might at least face things as I am doing.You’re always so cowardly,’ she said passionately.‘Hush, don’t make such a noise,’ he said nervously.‘What have I to face anyway?’Flora dropped down into a chair and covered her face with her hands [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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