Villette

seen.«
    Straight I went. After some little search, I found a folded paper, lodged on the lower branch of a shrub; I seized and brought it direct to Dr. John. This time, I believe not even Rosine saw me.
    He instantly tore the billet into small pieces, without reading it.
    »It is not in the least
her
fault, you must remember,« he said, looking at me.
    »
Whose
fault?« I asked. »
Who
is it?«
    »You don't yet know, then?«
    »Not in the least.«
    »Have you no guess?«
    »None.«
    »If I knew you better, I might be tempted to risk some confidence, and thus secure you as guardian over a most innocent and excellent, but somewhat inexperienced being.«
    »As a duenna?« I asked.
    »Yes,« said he abstractedly. »What snares are round her!« he added musingly: and now, certainly for the first time, he examined my face, anxious, doubtless, to see if any kindly expression there, would warrant him in recommending to my care and indulgence some ethereal creature, against whom powers of darkness were plotting. I felt no particular vocation to undertake the surveillance of ethereal creatures; but recalling the scene at the bureau, it seemed to me that I owed
him
a good turn: if I
could
help him then I would, and it lay not with me to decide how. With as little reluctance as might be, I intimated that »I was willing to do what I could towards taking care of any person in whom he might be interested.«
    »I am no farther interested than as a spectator,« said he, with a modesty, admirable, as I thought, to witness. »I happen to be acquainted with the rather worthless character of the person who, from the house opposite, has now twice invaded the sanctity of this place; I have also met in society the object at whom these vulgar attempts are aimed. Her exquisite superiority and innate refinement ought, one would think, to scare impertinence from her very idea. It is not so, however; and innocent, unsuspicious as she is, I would guard her from evil if I could. In person, however, I can do nothing: I cannot come near her« – he paused.
    »Well, I am willing to help you,« said I, »only tell me how.« And busily, in my own mind, I ran over the list of our inmates, seeking this paragon, this pearl of great price, this gem without flaw. »It must be madame,« I concluded. »
She
only, amongst us all, has the art even to
seem
superior: but as to being unsuspicious, inexperienced, etc., Dr. John need not distract himself about that. However, this is just his whim, and I will not contradict him; he shall be humoured: his angel shall be an angel.«
    »Just notify the quarter to which my care is to be directed,« I continued gravely: chuckling, however, to myself over the thought of being set to chaperon Madame Beck or any of her pupils.
    Now Dr. John had a fine set of nerves, and he at once felt by instinct, what no more coarsely constituted mind would have detected; namely, that I was a little amused at him. The colour rose to his cheek; with half a smile he turned and took his hat – he was going. My heart smote me.
    »I will – I will help you,« said I eagerly. »I will do what you wish. I will watch over your angel; I will take care of her, only tell me who she is.«
    »But you
must
know,« said he, then with earnestness, yet speaking very low. »So spotless, so good, so unspeakably beautiful! impossible that one house should contain two like her. I allude, of course –«
    Here the latch of Madame Beck's chamber-door (opening into the nursery) gave a sudden click, as if the hand holding it had been slightly convulsed; there was the suppressed explosion of an irrepressible sneeze. These little accidents will happen to the best of us. Madame – excellent woman! – was then on duty. She had come home quietly, stolen up-stairs on tip-toe; she was in her chamber. If she had not sneezed, she would have heard all, and so should I; but that unlucky sternutation routed Dr. John. While he stood aghast, she came forward alert, composed, in the best yet most tranquil spirits: no novice to her habits, but would have thought she was just come in, and scouted the idea of her ear having been glued to the key-hole for at least ten minutes. She affected to sneeze again, declared she was »enrhumée,« and then proceeded volubly to recount her »courses en fiacre.« The prayer-bell rang, and I left her with the doctor.
     
     
Chapter XIV
The Fête
    As soon as Georgette was well, madame sent her away into the country. I was sorry; I loved