by Henry James

“ He was encamped under the trees, close to the stream, and, in the diffused green shade of the little wood, couldn't have felt immediate need of his umbrella. He received a free rebuke, however, for forgetting it, and was informed of what he owed to Longmore's complaisance. He was duly grateful; he thanked our hero warmly and offered him a seat on the grass. But Longmore felt himself a marplot and lingered only long enough to glance at the young man's sketch and to see in it an easy rendering of the silvery stream and the vivid green rushes. ”

“ She's gentille-- but gentille, and she loves her jeune homme to distraction."
"Who then is so distinguished a young woman?" asked Longmore. "What do you know about her?"
"Nothing for certain; but it's my belief that she's better than he. I've even gone so far as to believe that she's a lady--a vraie dame--and that she has given up a great many things for him. ”

“ Longmore pleaded. "They seem a very happy couple."
The landlady gave a knowing nod. "Don't trust to it, monsieur! Those artists--ca na pas de principes! From one day to another he can plant her there! I know them, allez. I've had them here very often; one year with one, another year with another."
Longmore was at first puzzled. Then, "You mean she's not his wife?" he asked.
She took it responsibly. "What shall I tell you? They're not des hommes serieux, those gentlemen! They don't engage for eternity. ”

“ Meanwhile she was trying to thrust into her pocket a paper-covered volume which Longmore saw to be the poems of Andre Chenier, and in the effort dropping the large umbrella and marking this with a half-smiled exclamation of disgust. Longmore stepped forward and picked up the umbrella, and as she, protesting her gratitude, put out her hand to take it, he recognised her as too obliging to the young man who had preceded her.
"You've too much to carry," he said; "you must let me help you."
"You're very good, monsieur," she answered. "My husband always forgets something. ”

“ He can do nothing without his umbrella. He is d'une etourderie--"
"You must allow me to carry the umbrella," Longmore risked; "there's too much of it for a lady."
She assented, after many compliments to his politeness; and he walked by her side into the meadow. She went lightly and rapidly, picking her steps and glancing forward to catch a glimpse of her husband. She was graceful, she was charming, she had an air of decision and yet of accommodation, and it seemed to our friend that a young artist would work none the worse for having her seated at his side reading Chenier's iambics. ”

“ She had ceased to have what men call a secret for him, and this fact itself brought with it a sort of rapture. He had no prevision that he should "profit," in the vulgar sense, by the extraordinary position into which they had been thrown; it might be but a cruel trick of destiny to make hope a harsher mockery and renunciation a keener suffering. ”