W. Somerset Maugham - The Painted Veil (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics)

She gave a startled cry.

Whats the matter? he asked.

Notwithstanding the darkness of the shuttered room he saw her face on a sudden distraught with terror.

Some one just tried the door.

Well, perhaps it was the amah, or one of the boys.

They never come at this time. They know I always sleep after tiffin.

Who else could it be?

Walter, she whispered, her lips trembling.

She pointed to his shoes. He tried to put them on, but his nervousness, for her alarm was affecting him, made him clumsy, and besides, they were on the tight side. With a faint gasp of impatience she gave him a shoe-horn. She slipped into a kimono and in her bare feet went over to her dressing-table. Her hair was shingled and with a comb she had repaired its disorder before he had laced his second shoe. She handed him his coat.

How shall I get out?

Youd better wait a bit. Ill look out and see that its all right.

It cant possibly be Walter. He doesnt leave the laboratory till five.

Who is it then?

They spoke in whispers now. She was quaking. It occurred to him that in an emergency she would lose her head and on a sudden he felt angry with her. If it wasnt safe why the devil had she said it was? She caught her breath and put her hand on his arm. He followed the direction of her glance. They stood facing the windows that led out on the verandah. They were shuttered and the shutters were bolted. They saw the white china knob of the handle slowly turn. They had heard no one walk along the verandah. It was terrifying to see that silent motion. A minute passed and there was no sound. Then, with the ghastliness of the supernatural, in the same stealthy, noiseless and horrifying manner, they saw the white china knob of the handle at the other window turn also. It was so frightening that Kitty, her nerves failing her, opened her mouth to scream; but, seeing what she was going to do, he swiftly put his hand over it and her cry was smothered in his fingers.

Silence. She leaned against him, her knees shaking, and he was afraid she would faint. Frowning, his jaw set, he carried her to the bed and sat her down upon it. She was as white as the sheet and notwithstanding his tan his cheeks were pale too. He stood by her side looking with fascinated gaze at the china knob. They did not speak. Then he saw that she was crying.

For Gods sake dont do that, he whispered irritably. If were in for it were in for it. We shall just have to brazen it out.

She looked for her handkerchief and knowing what she wanted he gave her her bag.

Wheres your topee?

I left it downstairs.

Oh, my God!

I say, you must pull yourself together. Its a hundred to one it wasnt Walter. Why on earth should he come back at this hour? He never does come home in the middle of the day, does he?

Never.

Ill bet you anything you like it was the amah.

She gave him the shadow of a smile. His rich, caressing voice reassured her and she took his hand and affectionately pressed it. He gave her a moment to collect herself.

Look here, we cant stay here for ever, he said then. Do you feel up to going out on the verandah and having a look?

I dont think I can stand.

Have you got any brandy in here?

She shook her head. A frown for an instant darkened his brow, he was growing impatient, he did not quite know what to do. Suddenly she clutched his hand more tightly.

Suppose hes waiting there?

He forced his lips to smile and his voice retained the gentle, persuasive tone the effect of which he was so fully conscious of.

Thats not very likely. Have a little pluck, Kitty. How can it possibly be your husband? If hed come in and seen a strange topee in the hall and come upstairs and found your room locked, surely he would have made some sort of row. It must have been one of the servants. Only a Chinese would turn a handle in that way.

She did feel more herself now.

Its not very pleasant even if it was only the amah.

She can be squared and if necessary Ill put the fear of God into her. There are not many advantages in being a government official, but you may as well get what you can out of it.

He must be right. She stood up and turning to him stretched out her arms: he took her in his and kissed her on the lips. It was such rapture that it was pain. She adored him. He released her and she went to the window. She slid back the bolt and opening the shutter a little looked out. There was not a soul. She slipped on to the verandah, looked into her husbands dressing-room and then into her own sitting-room. Both were empty. She went back to the bedroom and beckoned to him.

Nobody.

I believe the whole thing was an optical delusion.

Dont laugh. I was terrified. Go into my sitting-room and sit down. Ill put on my stockings and some shoes.

He did as she bade and in five minutes she joined him. He was smoking a cigarette.

I say, could I have a brandy and soda?

Yes, Ill ring.

I dont think it would hurt you by the look of things.

They waited in silence for the boy to answer. She gave the order.

Ring up the laboratory and ask if Walter is there, she said then. They wont know your voice.

He took up the receiver and asked for the number. He inquired whether Dr. Fane was in. He put down the receiver.

He hasnt been in since tiffin, he told her. Ask the boy whether he has been here.

I darent. Itll look so funny if he has and I didnt see him.

The boy brought the drinks and Townsend helped himself. When he offered her some she shook her head.

Whats to be done if it was Walter? she asked.

Perhaps he wouldnt care.

Walter?

Her tone was incredulous.

Its always struck me he was rather shy. Some men cant bear scenes, you know. Hes got sense enough to know that theres nothing to be gained by making a scandal. I dont believe for a minute it was Walter, but even if it was, my impression is that hell do nothing. I think hell ignore it.

She reflected for a moment.

Hes awfully in love with me.

Well, thats all to the good. Youll get round him.

He gave her that charming smile of his which she had always found so irresistible. It was a slow smile which started in his clear blue eyes and travelled by perceptible degrees to his shapely mouth. He had small white even teeth. It was a very sensual smile and it made her heart melt in her body.

I dont very much care, she said, with a flash of gaiety. It was worth it.

It was my fault.

Why did you come? I was amazed to see you.

I couldnt resist it.

You dear.

She leaned a little towards him, her dark and shining eyes gazing passionately into his, her mouth a little open with desire, and he put his arms round her. She abandoned herself with a sigh of ecstasy to their shelter.

You know you can always count on me. he said.

Im so happy with you. I wish I could make you as happy as you make me.

Youre not frightened any more?

I hate Walter, she answered.

He did not quite know what to say to this, so he kissed her. Her face was very soft against his.

But he took her wrist on which was a little gold watch and looked at the time.

Do you know what I must do now?

Bolt? she smiled.

He nodded. For one instant she clung to him more closely, but she felt his desire to go, and she released him.

Its shameful the way you neglect your work. Be off with you.

He could never resist the temptation to flirt.

You seem in a devil of a hurry to get rid of me, he said lightly.

You know that I hate to let you go.

Her answer was low and deep and serious. He gave a flattered laugh.

Dont worry your pretty little head about our mysterious visitor. Im quite sure it was the amah. And if theres any trouble I guarantee to get you out of it.