He made no answer, but bit off the end of a cigar which he had been holding in his hand for some time.
On our way home, we rested in the shadow of a rock on a high Alpine peak, and there I found a symbol of what was passing between Annette and Richard--a forget-me-not growing among nettles.
CHAPTER II.
I reached home refreshed and invigorated. The china-asters that she had planted were blooming. Martella had decorated her grave with the loveliest flowers, and maintained that the wild bees affected that spot more than any other. Her memory gradually began to present itself to me as overgrown with flowers.
I went to attend the winter session of the Parliament, and Martella accompanied me. We lived with Annette--she would take no refusal, and we were both at ease in her beautiful house.
Annette always wanted to have Martella about her, but Martella had an unconquerable--I cannot say aversion, but, rather, dread of Annette; for Annette had an unpleasant habit of calling attention to every remark of Martella's, and had even quoted several of them in society.
Richard, who, as the representative of the University, had become a member of the Upper Chamber, seemed provoked; not on account of my having brought Martella with me, but because I had allowed myself to be induced to stay at Annette's house.
He hinted that Annette's marked hospitality was not caused by regard for me; and it really seemed as if she desired to see much of Richard at her house, although he had been cold and distant, and, at times, even scornful towards her. Nevertheless, he often visited us and allowed Annette to draw him into all sorts of discussions.
One evening when we three were alone,--Annette had been invited to the house of a friend,--Martella said:
"Richard, do you know what Madame Annette admires most in you?"