Illyrian Spring by Ann Bridge

Author:Ann Bridge [Ann Bridge]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781907970238
Publisher: Daunt Books
Published: 2013-11-14T16:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

Nicholas had risen when the Professor approached their table, with a look of pleasure; his expression changed to one of almost laughable dismay on hearing the name Halther. Lady Kilmichael sat wondering how on earth he would extricate himself from this situation. When directly addressed, she saw his face somehow harden into resolution; then with a gravity and formality equal to the older man’s, and at the same time with a sort of respectful firmness he bowed and said:

‘Yes, sir. A rather futuristic conception, but I hope a true one. Will you take a glass of wine?’

The Professor gave him one of his keen looks. Grace had an impression that he was searching for impertinence and failed to find it, for after a moment he broke into a laugh, and patted the young man on the shoulder.

‘Ausgezeichnet! Na ja, I am prepared to hope so too! Thanks,’ he said, sitting down in the chair which Nicholas drew out for him – then he sat looking from one to the other, with a sardonic amusement in his rugged face.

‘So you like Komolac enough to stay here, gnädige Frau?’ he said, as Nicholas went to call for another glass.

‘Yes, I love it – it’s so quiet,’ she said. Lady Kilmichael was if anything more embarrassed than Nicholas by this encounter. This was exactly what she had foreseen! No one ever went to Greece who said they were going there, she thought, almost resentfully. And now what was she to say to this strange Austrian, into whose house Nicholas has inserted himself on false pretences? With the grave courtesy which was the one invulnerable part of her rather inadequate technique for living she said – ‘I am so very sorry about this; I am afraid it is most inconvenient for you that Mr Humphries should have come to the villa. But he can go back at once to Ragusa – there is a bus at eight-thirty.’

Dr Halther continued to look sardonic, but he made no direct reply to her statement. ‘Let him explain, gnädige Frau – he is old enough,’ he said.

And Nicholas, at this moment returning with the landlord and more wine, proceeded to justify this assumption. Raising his glass politely to the Doctor – ‘Prost!’ he said. Now this is a rather characteristic Viennese formula for health-drinking, and Dr Halther’s expression relaxed. ‘Ah, so you know Vienna at least?’ he said.

‘Yes, sir – a little.’ Then he plunged into it. ‘I must ask your pardon for my intrusion. The fact is that Lady Kilmichael is helping me with my painting, and when she came out here there wasn’t room for me at the Orlandos’, and I wanted to be nearby, so I looked round for somewhere to stay, and your house seemed to be the only place.’ He paused – the Doctor said nothing, and he went on – ‘I do apologise, sir, for taking your name in vain. It was a gross untruth, really. But I thought that if your house was empty anyhow, I should do you no harm by fibbing about you.

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