I turned a deaf ear.

LIII.

THE LEG.

  “One is compelled sometimes to say to oneself,
  ‘On what does ruin or safety depend?’”

  J. TOURGUENEFF (Les eaux printanieres).

Then I heard him come upstairs cautiously and stop at the door of my room.  All at once he opened it.  He remained standing still for a moment, then he came near my bed on tip-toe.

I half-opened my eyes quickly, and the first thing I saw was his naked legs—­my word, he had a very well-made leg!  I looked again and saw that he was covered with an old black cloak which served him as a dressing-gown.

I closed my eyes again quickly, and, without giving an account of my feelings, I was overcome by a strong emotion.

My uncle passed his hand over my forehead.  He found it burning, for he cried out directly:  “But she is really ill, she is really ill, poor child.”  Then leaning over me:  “Little one, little one, where are you in pain?”

I pretended to wake up with a start, and I stared wildly at him, as if I was much surprised to see him there.  We women have the instinct of deceit from birth; believe me, what I tell you is true, Monsieur le Cure.

—­It is possible, Veronica.

—­Well, then be said to me, “Where are you in pain, little one?” I put my finger on the pit of my stomach, and replied in a feeble voice “Here.”

He put his hand there, and I saw that he moved it about with complacency on that part.

This touch seemed to make him beside himself, “Oh, the pretty little girl, the pretty little girl!” he said, “she is ill, poor dear child.”  And his hand continued to caress me.

You may think how I was trembling.  Although he did it very decently, I said to myself that it was not altogether proper, but I took good care not to utter a word.  A girl is inquisitive, you know, and I was not displeased to see what he would come to.

“Will you have a fomentation?” he said to me after a moment.  “No, uncle,” I answered, “I feel I am getting better, it is not worth while; I am even going to get up to make you your posset.”  “To get up, do you dream of it?...  All the same, perhaps you are right, there is still some fire in my room:  will you come there? you will warm yourself better than in your bed.”  “I will, if it does not disturb you.”  “Disturb me! no, no, don’t be afraid of disturbing me; come, put on a dress and come.”

I sat up in bed, thinking that he would go out of the room to let me dress, but he remained standing in front of me, and his looks frightened me.

I remained sitting on the bed, without stirring.  “Well, well, little girl, you are not getting up?”

“I dare not get up before you, uncle.”  “Are you silly?  What are you afraid of?  Are you not my niece?  Come, come, out of bed, little stupid.”  He said that in a gentle insinuating voice, and I dared not hesitate any more.  I put one leg out of bed.  He followed my movements with the greatest attention; “Well, well, and that other leg?”