The Chemickal Marriage

glanced conspiratorially at Chang, but he watched the Doctor’s face.
    ‘O Celeste.’ Svenson lifted a silver cigarette case. ‘Thank you so much. My other was lost, you know.’
    ‘Of course I
know
,’ she said. ‘And there is an inscription. “
Zum Kapitänchirurgen Abelard Svenson, vom C. T.”
’
    Svenson smiled, somewhat sadly, she saw, to read it. ‘That is almost what it was. But now from you. Thank you, my dear.’
    ‘I did not know the German myself, of course, except from memory.’
    ‘It will mean the world to me. Let me fill it now.’
    She smiled to see him take the tin of cigarettes from his pocket and carefully fill the silver case. She turned to Chang. ‘Cardinal Chang has a new walking stick. Very handsome.’
    ‘I’m sure it is,’ replied Doctor Svenson, somewhat drily.
    Miss Temple smirked at this, for she was no longer so shy, or shy at all. She began to think about when she and Chang could next be together, if there would be time after the Doctor departed – if she would in fact ever seeDoctor Svenson again – and what piece of furniture to employ in exactly what manner.
    ‘Did they find her?’ she asked. ‘The Duchess’s men?’
    ‘I do not know,’ said Svenson. ‘I have not heard.’
    ‘You would think, with an entire regiment surrounding the house – and going
through
the house. One injured woman, screaming like a witch?’
    ‘It was the fire,’ said Chang. ‘The fire drove them out and stopped the search.’
    ‘She
set
that fire,’ said Miss Temple.
    ‘I’m sure she did,’ said Chang. ‘And I would guess she fled to the lower depths, to the river, where no one could follow.’
    Miss Temple sipped her tea, and once more looked at Chang.
    ‘What did you
do
?’ she asked.
    Svenson closed the case with a snap of its clasp, and tucked it into his tunic pocket. He realized that Chang had not spoken and that the question was in fact for him. ‘Beg pardon?’
    ‘When you went to her, Doctor. Why did she stop screaming and then damn you to hell?’
    ‘I believe it was a general curse, aimed at us all. I could do nothing.’
    ‘I thought you had a bit of glass.’
    ‘What? No, no.’
    ‘Well.’
    For a moment no one spoke, the only sounds echoes from outside the cabin, the muffled creak of the vessel, distant voices on the pier. Miss Temple sipped her tea.
    ‘
That
is not why we are leaving, I assure you. I am not afraid of her, no matter where she is or what she tries to do. I will never be afraid of anything again. I have had enough of it.’
    ‘Then why
are
you leaving, Celeste?’ asked Chang. He cocked his head. ‘All has been forgiven. You could do here what you would.’
    She cocked her own head to mock him. ‘For reasons you well know – as I have told you in your ear. But since you ask, for the Doctor’s benefit, I am happy to explain. You see, Doctor Svenson – I
cannot
stay because it would be impossible to
live
. Cardinal Chang and I would be driven apart. I knowit, and I would be alone. I do not wish to be alone any more – I can no longer bear it. But neither can I go
home
– were I able to go home, I never should have left, if you follow. Perhaps when I am an old woman of eighty-nine I will reclaim my father’s seat. Until then the only alternative is travel. Constant motion.’ She looked at Chang and finished her cup of tea. ‘It is the one sure way to ensure mutual occupation and mutual protection. And mutual dependence, if I may say. It’s actually very sensible. I’ve thought it through.’
    ‘I see you have.’
    ‘And of course Chang’s agreed, because I’m right. What would he do here? Die in a year – senselessly. You know he would. And what would I do? Fall under a train. This way we won’t. Or not immediately. I can always fling myself under a train in the Malay Straits, if the Malay people
have
trains. What of you?’
    ‘How will I die within the year?’
    She laughed. ‘
No
. If you do I shall be angry.’
    ‘I will bear your wrath in mind.’
    ‘How is Cunsher?’ asked Chang.
    ‘Well, I believe,’ replied Svenson. ‘I have not seen him.’
    ‘Mahmoud and Gorine are recovered,’ said Chang. ‘The Old Palace is to be rebuilt. Along with half the city.’
    ‘Invest in brick.’ Svenson smiled. He finished his coffee and set down the cup. ‘I’m sure it is near your time.’
    ‘What will you do?’ Miss Temple asked again.
    ‘O Celeste. My reprieve puts me at liberty – at least while I am here –