Lost in this sudden memory she was interrupted sharply by a murmur of voices arising from the garden. Without stirring she listened and, presently, recognizing that one was Lily’s and the other that of the Baron, she made no attempt to move out of hearing. Once, a long time ago when she had first come to Paris, she would have moved away or have let them know by some sign that she was nearby, watching and listening; but that time had long gone by. She listened now either because she was shameless or because in the mood of the moment it did not matter what things she learned. And in some way the sight of the two dark figures, moving so close to each other up and down the white terrace, dissipated the terrible loneliness.
The pair below her knew, no doubt, that Madame Gigon was long since snoring among the gimcracks of her bedroom, and they believed that she herself was out, at the theater with Rebecca. In the French manner, the servants did not matter; it is probable that of all the people in the house they knew most of Lily and her life.
The Baron’s voice, deep and rich, drifted up to the open window.
“Jean, you say, will be back from school in June?”
He wore his uniform, and the perfection of its lines emphasized all the trim, masculine hardness of his slight figure. Beside him in her black gown, with the stole of sable thrown round her for warmth, Lily was soft and lovely. His voice it seemed, caressed her.
“He is growing big now ... fourteen. Think of it....” He laughed softly. “You with a big boy of fourteen! It is impossible ... incroyable!”
Lily said something which was not audible and then, “Yes. We must be more careful. He will begin to see things.”
“In England boys are not so sharp ... at least not about affairs between men and women.”
In silence they walked for a time, once up and once down the terrace. The leaves of the plane trees rustled and a boat far below in the Seine whistled faintly. Once more they passed beneath the window.
“June is more than a month away,” said the Baron. “We could go to Nice for three long weeks.”