The Meaning of Night Read Online Free

drawing-room, displaying both taste and means. The
    door opened; but it was not Bella. Two giggling young ladies, unaware that a visitor was
    within, burst into the room. On seeing me, they halted and looked me up and down, and
    then looked at each other. They were a most ravishing pair, one blonde, the other dark;
    and both had an unmistakable look about them. I had seen it a hundred times, though
    rarely in such sumptuous surroundings.

    They begged my pardon (unnecessary, for I would have forgiven them any liberty
    they chose to take), and were about to withdraw when another figure appeared in the
    doorway.

    She was quite as beautiful as I remembered her; dressed to the highest point of
    fashion, coiffured and bejewelled, but still possessed of a natural grace of carriage, and
    displaying that warm and open expression with which she’d greeted me when I’d first
    come to her father’s house. After her fair companions had departed, we walked out into
    the garden and talked away, like the old friends we were, until a female servant came
    across from the house to tell Bella that she had another visitor.

    ‘Will you call again?’ she asked. ‘I seem to have spoken only of myself, and
    would so like to hear more about what you have been doing with your life, and what your
    plans are for the future.’

    I needed no further hint, and said I would come again the following day, if it was
    convenient.

    Neither of us had said anything concerning the true character of Blithe Lodge:
    there was no need. She saw, by my look and tone of voice, that I was not in the least
    shocked or disgusted by what she had chosen to become; and for my part, I could see that
    – as she had told me so often – she wanted for nothing, and that the contentment at her lot
    that she professed was unfeigned.

    I returned the next day, when I was introduced to Mrs D. herself; and the
    following week attended a soirée, at which were assembled some of the most eminent
    and well-placed of the capital’s fast men. Gradually, my visits increased in frequency and
    soon brotherly solicitation began to transform into something more intimate. By special
    dispensation, I was not required to make any contribution to the domestic oeconomy of
    the house. ‘You are most welcome here at any time,’ said Mrs D., with whom I had
    quickly become a great favourite, ‘just as long Bella ain’t distracted from her professional
    duties.’

    Mrs D. being a widow with no dependants, it had long been settled that Bella,
    who had become like a daughter to her, would in the course of time assume the reins of
    power in this thriving carnal kingdom. On this account I’d call her my little heiress, and
    she’d smile contentedly as I pictured to her the days of ease that lay ahead once the
    inevitable mortal release of Mrs D., now in her sixty-first year, delivered the succession
    into her hands.

    ‘I don’t like to think of it too much,’ she’d say sometimes, ‘seeing how fond I am
    of Kitty, and how kind she’s always been to me. But, you know, I can’t help feeling –
    well, a little satisfied at the prospect, though I’m sure I don’t deserve it.’

    And then I would chide her for her scruples, telling her that it was folly – and
    worse – to believe that we do not merit our good fortune, especially when it is ours by
    right. She would kiss me and pull me close; but I would feel suddenly abandoned and
    alone. For was I not also an heir, and to a far greater kingdom? Yet my inheritance had
    now been taken from me, and could never be recovered. I longed to throw off the habit of
    deceit, but I could not tell Bella the truth about myself, or why I had killed a stranger that
    night in Cain-court; for if I did, then I might lose her too.

    But he knew – my enemy knew – what had been done to me. And soon he would
    also come to know how resourceful I could