Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

Julia got into bed, feeling very comfortable with her feet stretched out on the tomboy, and looked with delight at her rose-and-pale room, and at the golden cherubs adorning the dressing-table, and felt contented. Take a breath.She thought how much it resembled Madame de Pompadour (Note: The mistress of King Louis XV of France.) The mood. She turned off the light, but didn't feel sleepy.She really wanted to dance at the Quaig Hotel, but not with Michael, but with Louis XV .) Or Ludwig of Bavaria (Note: That is, King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who loves art and likes to communicate with literati and artists.) or Alfred.De.Musset (Note: The French Romantic poet, whose love relationship with George Sand stimulated his creative enthusiasm and wrote some famous lyric poems.) Jump.French actress Clérand and a ball at the Paris Opera.She remembered the miniature Charles had given her earlier.That's how she felt tonight.

She hadn't encountered such an adventure for a long, long time.The last time was eight years ago.That was an episode she should be absolutely ashamed of; God, she'd been terrified since then, but in fact she couldn't think of it without secretly amusing herself. That, too, happened by accident.She had been acting for a long time and had never had a break. She desperately needed a break.The play she was doing was no longer attractive, and they were about to start a new one, when Michael found an opportunity to rent the theater to a French company for six weeks.This seemed to be just the right time for Julia to go for a run outside.Dolly has rented a house in Cannes (note: a tourist resort on the Mediterranean coast in southeastern France.) where she plans to spend the season, and Julia can go to her for a while.

It was the eve of Easter when she left, so the train going south was very crowded, and she couldn't buy a sleeper, but Cook's company (Note: Cook's company is a travel service company founded by British Thomas Cook.) The people here told her there was no problem, there was a vacant shop waiting for her at the Paris station.But when she arrived in Paris, she found to her great dismay that no one seemed to know about her at all, and the train conductor told her that all the sleeping berths were booked.The only chance is that someone doesn't show up at the last minute.She didn't like to spend the night sitting in the corner of a first-class car, so she ran into the dining car distraught for dinner.

They gave her a table for two, and after a while a man came in and sat down across from her.She ignored him.Then the train conductor came to her and said he was sorry, but there was nothing he could do.She made a fuss in vain.After the conductor left, the man at the same table greeted her.Although he spoke perfect French, she could tell from his accent that he was not French.He politely asked her what was the matter, and she told him exactly what had happened, and gave him her opinion of Cooke, of the railroads, and of the inefficiency of mankind in general.He was quite sympathetic.He told her that after dinner, he would go for a drive in the front and rear carriages to see for himself what could be done.Maybe a conductor can arrange anything for a little tip.

I'm exhausted, she said, and I'd like to pay five hundred francs for a sleeping berth. Having thus begun the conversation, he told her that he was an attache to the Spanish embassy in Paris and was going to Cannes for Easter.Although she talked with him for a quarter of an hour, she did not pay attention to what kind of man he was.She saw now that he had a beard, a curly black beard and two curly black moustache, but that beard had a peculiar growth on his face; there were two gaps below the corners of the mouth.It made his appearance look strange.With his dark hair, drooping eyelids, and rather long nose, she reminded her of someone she had met in the past.Suddenly she remembered, and in the utmost astonishment she blurted out:

You know, I couldn't think of anyone you reminded me of at first.You and the Louvre (Note: In Paris, it was originally a royal palace, and it was turned into a museum of fine arts in 1793.) in Titian (Note: A Venetian painter in the high period of the Italian Renaissance.) Painting Francis I (Note: : King of France.) The portraits are remarkably similar. With his tiny pig eyes? No, no, your eyes are big, and I think it's mostly the beard. She glanced at the skin under his eyes, which was violet and smooth and unlined.Despite the age of the beard, he was a young man, not more than thirty at the most.She wondered if he was a Spanish Grand Duke.He was not very well dressed, as is often the case with foreigners, and his clothes, even if badly cut, could cost a fortune, and the tie, though rather gaudy, she could see was a Charvain ( Note: A soft matte silk or rayon tie material named after the French manufacturer Charvet.) Tie.

While they were drinking coffee after dinner, he asked her if he could treat her to a glass of liqueur. Thank you.It might help me sleep better. He offered her a cigarette.His cigarette case was silver, which she found a little repulsive, but when he closed it she saw a little gold crown in the corner.He must be an earl or something.There was a gold crown on the silver cigarette case, which was very fashionable.Too bad he had to wear modern clothes!If he plays the same role as Francis I, his image must be extremely prominent.She did her best to appear gentle and courteous. I thought I should tell you, he said immediately, I know who you are.Allow me to add, too, that I have great admiration for you.

She gazed at him for a moment with her pretty eyes. Have you seen my show? Yes, I was in London last month. It's a funny little show, isn't it? It's up to you to be funny. When the waiter came to collect the money, she had to insist on paying her bill.The Spaniard accompanied her back to her compartment, and said he would go to the front and rear compartments to see if he could find a berth for her.A quarter of an hour later he returned with a conductor and told her that a single berth had been found for her and that if she gave the conductor her luggage he would take her there.She is very happy.He threw his hat on the seat she had vacated, and she followed him down the corridor.When they reached the single berth, he told the conductor to take the suitcase and briefcase from the luggage rack to the lady's own car.

Isn't that giving me your own single berth?Julia cried. This is the only room in the car. Oh, I don't want to. Take it, the Spaniard said to the conductor. No, no, said Julia. With a nod from the stranger, the conductor took the luggage away. I'm not a problem.I can sleep anywhere, but I can't sleep for a moment thinking that such a great artist will have to spend the night in a suffocating car with three other people. Julia continued to express disapproval, but not too forcefully.He is so nice.She didn't know how to thank him.He wouldn't even let her pay for the berth.He begged her almost in tears to let him enjoy this extraordinary privilege, this little offering to her.

She carried only a toiletry bag with her body balms, her nightgown, and her toiletries, and he put it on the table for her.All he asked was to be allowed to sit with her and smoke a cigarette or two before she fell asleep.It was difficult for her to refuse this request.The bed was made and they sat on it.A few minutes later the conductor returned with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. It was a very small adventure, and Julia amused it.He was so attentive, alas, how well those foreigners know what to do with a great actress.Of course, this happened to Bernhardt every day.And Siddons, when she walked into a drawing room, everyone stood up as if she were royalty.He complimented her on her beautiful French.Was it born in Jersey and educated in France?Ah, so it is.But why is she acting in English instead of French?If she performed in French, she would be as famous as Douce.She reminded him of Douce, with the same radiant eyes and fair skin, and she acted with the same emotion and strange naturalness.

They had only finished half a bottle of champagne, and Julia noticed that it was getting late. I really want to sleep now. I break up with you. He stood up and kissed her hand.When he was gone, Julia bolted the door and undressed.She turned out all the lights except the one behind her head, and began to read.After a while, someone knocked on the door. who? Sorry to bother you.I forgot my toothbrush in the bathroom.Can I come in and get it? I am sleeping. I can't sleep without brushing my teeth. Why, he's pretty clean. With a slight shrug, Julia reached over to the door and unlatched it.In this case, it would be foolish to be overly cautious.He came in, walked into the bathroom, and came out after a while, waving a toothbrush in his hand.When she was brushing her own teeth, she had seen this toothbrush before, but she always thought it belonged to the passenger in the next room.In that period, two single berths in a row shared a bathroom. The Spaniard seemed to have seen the bottle here by chance. I'm very thirsty, can I have a glass of champagne? Julia was silent for a moment.This is his champagne and his single berth.Well, well, let him push himself. sure. He poured himself a drink, lit a cigarette, and sat down on the edge of her bed.She moved in a little, to make room for him.He took it completely for granted. You can't sleep in that car over there, he said, there's a man breathing so loudly there.I'd almost rather he snore.If he snores, they can wake him up. I'm very sorry. Oh no problem.If it gets any worse, I'll curl up in the hallway outside your door all night. He doesn't necessarily expect me to ask him to sleep here, she thought.I'm beginning to suspect that this is all a set trap.Never mind, my boy.Then she said aloud: Romantic, of course, but not very comfortable. You are a very charming woman. She was glad that her pajamas were beautiful and that she didn't use oil on her face.In fact, the powder on her face has not been wiped off.Her lips were brilliantly red, and she knew she wasn't too ugly in the light of the reading lamp behind her.But she replied mockingly: If you thought that by giving me the single berth I would let you sleep with me, you are mistaken. As you said, of course.But why not? I'm not a very attractive woman. So what kind of woman are you? She was a faithful wife and loving mother. He sighed softly. very good.Then I take my leave and wish you a good night. He stubbed out the cigarette butt on the ashtray, took her hand and kissed it.He moved his lips slowly up against her arm.This made Julia feel a special stimulation slightly.The beard tickled her skin slightly.Then he leaned over and kissed her lips.His beard had a mildewlike smell which she found peculiar; she could not tell whether it made her sick or excited her.Strange to say, she looked back, she had never been kissed by a man with a beard.It seemed strangely obscene.He snapped the light off. He stayed by her side until a gleam of light through the drawn curtains warned them that day was breaking.Julia was completely broken in mind and body. By the time we get to Cannes, I'll be completely inhuman. What a risk!He probably killed her, or stole her pearl necklace.She thought of the danger she had incurred, and her whole body felt hot and cold.He also went to Cannes.How would she explain to her friends what kind of man he was if he got there and insisted on her company?She was sure Dolly would not like him.He might also blackmail her.What would she do if he demanded a repeat of the act?He was very enthusiastic, there is no doubt about it, and he asked her where she was going to be delayed, although she didn't tell him, but if he wanted to inquire, he would definitely be able to find out; in a place like Cannes, it is almost impossible Don't run into him by chance.He will cling to her.If he really loved her as deeply as he said, it was impossible to imagine that he would let her go, and how unreliable this kind of foreigner was, he might make a scene in public.The only consolation was that he was only here for Easter, and she could pretend to be tired and tell Dolly that she would like to rest quietly at the villa. How could I be such a fool?She complained loudly to herself. Dolly was to meet her at the station, and if he made the mistake of coming up to say good-bye, she would tell Dolly that he had given her the single berth.There is no harm in saying this.Telling the truth as much as possible is always the best way.But there were so many passengers getting off at Cannes that Julia got out of the station and got into Dolly's car without seeing him. I have nothing planned today, said Dolly, and I think you will be tired, so you will be alone with me for twenty-four hours. Julia twisted her arm affectionately. This is great.We just sat around in the villa, put some ointment on our faces, and chatted happily. But the next day Dolly had arranged to go out to dinner together, and to meet and have cocktails with their landlady in a bar on the Croisette.It was a fine day with a sunny day.When they got out of the car, Dolly stopped and told the coachman to come round for them, and Julia waited for her. Suddenly her heart skipped a beat, for the Spaniard was walking towards her, with a woman hanging from his arms on one side, and a little girl on the other, whom he was holding by the hand.Julia had no time to turn and dodge.Just then Dolly came running across the sidewalk with her.The Spaniard came, and he glanced at her without any sign of acquaintance, he was having a lively conversation with the woman hanging on his arm, and just walked past.Julia knew in an instant that he did not want to see her any more than she did not want to see him.The woman and the child were obviously his wife and daughter, and he had come to Cannes to spend Easter with them. What a great relief!Now she can have fun without fear.But when she accompanied Dolly to the bar, Julia thought men were abominations.You can't trust them for a minute.It's a disgrace for a man who has a beautiful wife himself and such a cute little girl to start messing around with a strange woman on a train.You'd think they'd have to be decent. As time went on, however, Julia's indignation gradually subsided, and afterwards she often thought of the adventure with great joy.After all, it's funny.Sometimes she allowed herself to wander, reliving in her fantasies the events of that singular night.He was a very agreeable lover.When she was an old woman he would remind her of something.Especially that beard impressed her the most: the indescribable feeling when it touched her face, and the musty smell that was both disgusting and strangely irritating, it was wonderful. She had been looking for a man with a beard all these years, and it seemed to her that if such a man wooed her, she could hardly refuse.But people don't grow beards a lot, and that's a good thing for her, because her knees go weak when she sees them, and the occasional bearded one doesn't come to pay her attention. She wondered who the Spaniard really was.A day or two later she saw him playing nine at the casino and asked two or three people if they knew him.No one knew him, so he remained in her memory and in her bone marrow forever without a name.It was a curious coincidence that she did not know the name of the young man who acted so unexpectedly that afternoon either.It was kind of funny, she thought. If I'd known in advance that they were going to mess with me, I'd have at least asked them for a business card. Thinking of this, she happily fell asleep.