Free Edith Wharton - Novella 01 by Fast (and) Loose (v2.1)

interesting girl by an easy service just at the right
time. No man wins his way so easily as he who has the good luck to prove
himself “a friend in need”; & Guy felt that in one day he had come nearer
to Madeline Graham than months of casual acquaintance could have brought him.
                   
     
  X.
 
 
                 At Interlaken .
     
                 “Through those days Youth, love &
hope walked smiling hand in hand.”
  Old Play.
     
                 It
is certain that in this world the smallest wires work the largest machinery in
a wonderful way. The twist that Mrs. Graham’s foot took on the Hotel staircase,
led gradually up a ladder of greater events to a most unexpected climax, &
influenced her daughter’s life as the most carefully laid plans could perhaps
not have done. Strangely & wonderfully, “Dieu dispose.” The Grahams had not
intended to remain over a week at Interlaken , & had all their Summer plans arranged after the approved tourist fashion. These plans Mrs. Graham’s
sprained ankle of course overset. Slight at the accident was, it tied her to
her couch for five weeks at the least; & all that could be done was to
accept the circumstances & engage the best rooms which the Hotel Belvidere
could offer, for that length of time. Mr. Graham was thoroughly disgusted. “To
be mewed up in this hole,” he complained to Hastings , “with nothing to do but look at the
mountains out of one’s bedroom windows. In fact, though the continent is very
pleasant for a change & very nice to travel in, England ’s the place to be quiet in!” “Yes, I agree
with you,” said Guy; “but I hope this unfortunate accident won’t frighten you
off to England ?” Mr.
                 Graham
shook his head despondently! “I wish it could, my dear Hastings , I wish it could. But, you see, our
Madeline is too delicate for the rough English weather, & as we’ve got to
choose between Nice & Rome of course we’ll go to Rome again.” As for Madeline, she accepted the
change with youthful adaptability, invented fancy-work for her mother,
collected flowers, played on the rattling Hotel piano which had been moved into
her sitting-room, & took long walks with her father & Mr. Hastings.
These walks, indeed, were the pleasantest part of her quiet, contented days;
Mr. Hastings talked so well & got her such pretty wild-flowers, she said
simply to her mother. And Mrs. Graham sighed. Madeline was a good, dutiful girl, & full of worship for her father; but perhaps she
was not sorry when, on the morning which had been chosen for a long pilgrimage,
Mr. Graham got some business letters which required immediate answers, &
announced at the breakfast table that he could not go. “Oh, what a pity, John,”
said Mrs. Graham, from the sofa. “It is such a beautiful day, & Maddy has
been counting on this walk.” Madeline looked studiously at her plate, but the
pink was beginning to flutter up into her cheek. “Nonsense!” said Mr. Graham. “Madeline
shall go, of course. What do you suppose Hastings wants with an old fellow like me, eh? No,
no, Mother; Madeline shall go & they will be only too glad to be rid of me.”
“Oh, Papa!” murmured Madeline. But when Guy Hastings appeared an hour later,
she was ready in her gray walking dress, with a quantity of light blue veil
floating about her leghorn hat & looped around her throat. There was a
slight flush on her face, & she had never looked more
lovely . “This morning was made for a walk,” said Guy, as he stood by
Mrs. Graham’s couch. “But the one we have planned is long. I hope we shall not
tire Miss Graham.” “Oh, no,” said Madeline, coming up, “but—Papa can’t come
this morning.” “Mr. Graham has some business letters to attend to,” explained
Mrs. Graham. Guy glanced at Madeline; “You are dressed,” he said: “won’t you
trust to my guidance?” Madeline stood still, blushing; but just then Mr.