A Human Document (Volume 3); A Novel

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1892. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXI. Certainly at that moment he was incapable of doing anything. He had had no sleep, except in unrefreshing snatches, since he left the Pasha's castle; and now that the chief object of his exertions was secured, physical weariness, long held at bay, asserted its rights at last, and he slept soundly till the evening. His first care on waking was to ascertain where the Princess would dine, in order that he might keep her company, and not seem to desert her. He was told that she would dine in her sitting-room, where he was at liberty to dine also, and she would be glad of his company, though she advised him not to give it her. They met. The Princess retained her spirits wonderfully. She said that the invalid had every comfort possible, and that the badness of his temper gave her great confidence in his strength. She then turned the conversation to general matters, and sat down opposite to him, slightly smelling of disinfectants. The moment the meal was over she left him to his own devices, and he wandered out into the gardens restless and discontented. With the departure of Mrs. Schilizzi, the whole place had become different. The band was sending music into the air, lamps were glittering, windows were shining through the leaves. Love-making and coffee-drinking were in progress at the scattered tables. But for him there was vacancy everywhere; everything had lost its interest. Nor was this the case with regard to the place only. He felt it to be the case also with the state of his own mind. His sublime ideas of the duty of pain relaxed themselves; and resolutions that had soared high in the morning, now came fluttering down with nerveless wing. He. sat down at a table, and ordered some coffee and a liqueur. As he was lighting a cigarette, he caught sight...