Paris: The Novel

be obliged to do the same.”
    “The fault’s mine, not hers …,” Hadley began, but Gérard wouldn’t hear of it.
    “That grotto’s a romantic place, and my sister’s … well, in my opinion, she’s everything a man could want.”
    “I wouldn’t disagree with that.”
    “You kissed her. Any of us might have done the same. That’s what chaperones are for.”
    “There was no disrespect, I assure you.”
    “Of course there wasn’t. We know you’re a good fellow. My brother, Marc, whom we all love, is not a good fellow. His family know it, and I’m sure you know too. In fact, my parents thought you were a good influence on him. But tell me, Hadley, what are your intentions? Are you wanting to marry my sister?”
    “It hadn’t quite come to that,” answered Hadley truthfully. “It was all a bit sudden. But I reserve the right.”
    “Hadley, we like you very much,” declared Gérard. “But you can’t marry Marie. It’s out of the question. Think about it. You’ll go back to America. Would you take her away from all her family? Would she be happy there? My parents wouldn’t consent to the marriage, and I’d oppose it strongly, for those reasons. Besides, you’re a Protestant. Marie’s a Catholic. Are you planning to convert? Because she isn’t going to.”
    He didn’t belabor the point. But when he dropped Hadley off, he added one thing.
    “Do you think Marie has fallen in love with you, Hadley?”
    “I couldn’t say.”
    “Well, nor could I. But if she has, then the best thing is to leave her alone. Don’t raise hopes which can’t be fulfilled. That would be unkind.”
    And the trouble was, Hadley thought, as he mounted the stairs to his lodgings, that although he didn’t like Gérard, what he said might be true.

    The next day, he made his decision. His reasons were straightforward.
    Professionally, he’d achieved his purpose in France. He was ready to return to America and start his career.
    If the circumstances had been different, he thought, he might have spent more time in Marie’s company, and he might have offered to marry her. The idea of living in Europe and spending summers in France was delightful.
    But if there was going to be implacable opposition from her family,what was the good of that, for either of them? There was only one sensible and decent thing to do.

    The next day he sent a cable to his father. Having done so, he went to see Marc.
    “My father’s sick. I have to return to America at once.”
    “My dear Hadley. Just when we were getting used to you. I’m heartbroken.”
    “I’m sorry to go, but there’s nothing to be done.”
    Then he called on Marie and her parents.
    Jules and his wife had no reason not to accept his explanation at face value, and urged him warmly to come straight to their house whenever he returned. “And if you ever come to America,” he said in return, “my parents and I will be so delighted if you will stay with us.”
    “If we come, my dear Hadley, you’ll be the first to know,” said Jules.
    His interview with Marie was not so easy.
    “It’s my fault you’re going, isn’t it?” she said.
    “No it isn’t. Not at all.”
    “What did Gérard say to you?”
    “Not much. He was quite friendly, in fact. But he wants to protect your reputation. Rightly so.”
    “Your father is really sick?”
    “I’m afraid he is.”
    “Will you come back when he is well?”
    “I haven’t even thought of anything, except getting to him as quickly as I can.”
    She nodded, and held out her hand.
    “Good-bye Hadley,” she said.
    After he had gone, she told her parents that she was going to take a little rest. Then she closed the door and quietly locked it, and pushed her face into her pillow to muffle the sound and, knowing that she had lost him, wept for over an hour.
    Two days later, she departed for the family vineyard, to take part in the
vendange
.

    It was a week after her return to Paris that James Fox came to see Jules Blanchard.
    “I have come on a personal matter,” he explained.
    “My dear Fox, what can I do for you?” Jules replied.
    “I have to tell you something which you may not like. I am entirely in love with Marie, and I wish to ask your permission to let her know that this is the case.”
    “Has she any idea of it?”
    “To the best of my knowledge, none. I came to see you first.”
    “You certainly behave well. But that is no surprise. How long have you loved her?”
    “Since the first day I met