She had forgotten what an attractive thing the world is, and it was coming over her that somehow she had for the best years of her life been cheated of it.This did not make her angry;but as she looked all over the charming scene her face had, in spite of its smile of appreciation, the flush of a sort of wounded surprise.
She became silent, as if she were thinking with a secret sadness of opportunities, forever lost, which ought to have been easy;and this gave me a chance to say to her, "Did you mean a while ago that your aunt has a plan of keeping me on by admitting me occasionally to her presence?""She thinks it will make a difference with you if you sometimes see her.
She wants you so much to stay that she is willing to make that concession.""And what good does she consider that I think it will do me to see her?""I don't know; she thinks it's interesting," said Miss Tita simply.
"You told her you found it so."
"So I did; but everyone doesn't think so.""No, of course not, or more people would try.""Well, if she is capable of making that reflection she is capable of making this further one," I went on:
"that I must have a particular reason for not doing as others do, in spite of the interest she offers--for not leaving her alone."Miss Tita looked as if she failed to grasp this rather complicated proposition; so I continued, "If you have not told her what I said to you the other night may she not at least have guessed it?""I don't know; she is very suspicious."
"But she has not been made so by indiscreet curiosity, by persecution?""No, no; it isn't that," said Miss Tita, turning on me a somewhat troubled face."I don't know how to say it:
it's on account of something--ages ago, before I was born--in her life."
"Something? What sort of thing?" I asked as if I myself could have no idea.
"Oh, she has never told me," Miss Tita answered; and I was sure she was speaking the truth.
Her extreme limpidity was almost provoking, and I felt for the moment that she would have been more satisfactory if she had been less ingenuous.
"Do you suppose it's something to which Jeffrey Aspern's letters and papers--I mean the things in her possession--have reference?""I daresay it is!" my companion exclaimed as if this were a very happy suggestion."I have never looked at any of those things.""None of them? Then how do you know what they are?""I don't," said Miss Tita placidly."I have never had them in my hands.
But I have seen them when she has had them out.""Does she have them out often?"
"Not now, but she used to.She is very fond of them.""In spite of their being compromising?"
"Compromising?" Miss Tita repeated as if she was ignorant of the meaning of the word.I felt almost as one who corrupts the innocence of youth.
"I mean their containing painful memories.""Oh, I don't think they are painful."
"You mean you don't think they affect her reputation?"At this a singular look came into the face of Miss Bordereau's niece--a kind of confession of helplessness, an appeal to me to deal fairly, generously with her.
I had brought her to the Piazza, placed her among charming influences, paid her an attention she appreciated, and now Iseemed to let her perceive that all this had been a bribe--a bribe to make her turn in some way against her aunt.
She was of a yielding nature and capable of doing almost anything to please a person who was kind to her; but the greatest kindness of all would be not to presume too much on this.
It was strange enough, as I afterward thought, that she had not the least air of resenting my want of consideration for her aunt's character, which would have been in the worst possible taste if anything less vital (from my point of view)had been at stake.I don't think she really measured it.
"Do you mean that she did something bad?" she asked in a moment.
"Heaven forbid I should say so, and it's none of my business.
Besides, if she did," I added, laughing, "it was in other ages, in another world.But why should she not destroy her papers?""Oh, she loves them too much."
"Even now, when she may be near her end?""Perhaps when she's sure of that she will.""Well, Miss Tita," I said, "it's just what I should like you to prevent.""How can I prevent it?"
"Couldn't you get them away from her?"
"And give them to you?"
This put the case very crudely, though I am sure there was no irony in her intention."Oh, I mean that you might let me see them and look them over.It isn't for myself; there is no personal avidity in my desire.