t you ciki they [hey Saul they uless, withoutThe Lady of the Lake irally amused 'hold bitchIn,g, t r her screeciione sicken4ndy bars baci. and forth rier away ftom fright. t her blood?' ter mouth, but r föli hack with zet.ily a( every' multi se• her en there was a itt) the store. fiain, fixen with `You little thief, yanked it. The I forward, but at Ind thrust out at an ambitious, handsome tliirty, who watked u 'nt wearing a white flower floors in tvlacy's book t in his lapel, having recently write into a small inheritance, { '?irig 17:"nd went abro4d seekiffig romance. In Paris. he was sure of, except that he was tired of the past tired of althougli he had the limitations it had imposcd upon signed the hotel register with his right name, Levin took to calling himself Henry R. Freeman. Freeman lived for a short Nyílik in a little hotel on a narrow gas lamp-lit street near the Luxembourg Gardens. in the beginning he liked the sense of of things different, anything likely forcignness of the city to happen. He liked, he said to himself, the possible combinations. Bot not znuclr did happen; he met no one he Earticularly cared for (he had sometimes in the past deCgn"himseif about women, they had corne to less than he had expected); and since the heat was hot and tourists underfoot, he felt he must flee. He boarded the Milan express, and after Dijon, developed a paidui, palpitating anxiety. This grew so troublesome hat he had serious visions of leaping off the train, but reason prevailed and he rode on. However, he did not get to Nearing Stresa, after a quick, astonislied look at Lake Maggiore, Freeman, a na ture lover from early childitood, pulled his suitcase off the rack and hurriedly left the train. He at once felt better. An hour later he was established in a pensione in a villa not far from the line of assorted hotels fronting the Stresa shore. The padrona, a talkative wornan, mucit interesied in her guests, complained that Tune and Juh> , had been lost in unseasonable coki and wet. Many had cancelled; 'there Wel• fe Everybody had something to sell you could buy better in Maey's basement. who were at once beset by many vendors of cheap crinkets. he began to row with rowing uneasiness whfch soon becarne dread. And alchough Isola dei Pescatod had some honest atmosphere. .He had no intention other than reaching it. The French have always loved this island. I-le compiained thus to the padrona and she urged hím to visit Isola del Dongo. Be watcbcd alone.96 The Lady of the Lake Arnericans around. He strongiy considered returning to Stresa . a round trip completed. `cet there were times. full of the tombs of farvaus men of the region. where he loved w read. especially German. Oisappointed. Napokn. poorly. surrounded by artificial formai gardens. French-windowed room.tr-eets. each r litá a universe . Travel k truly broadening. and though personally the shower tyK. including soft bed and spacious bath. (311 trees. and the wholt town catering to them. Two-thirds of the way there. lie wasn't sure. at night one of them pulled an accordion out of the bus and playeid sad Venetian or happy Neapolitan songs. went out of sight among dintant mountains. Pi` despite the nearness of Central Park .' she persuaded him.' So when resti-e. dei Pesca tor-L tvfadre. beautiful fromafar„ up close were so The Lady of the Lake 97 miich stage scenery.how often do we c.strictly no unsupervised wandering .t of any place more exciting to go. Alas. 1 rlFt C by devious rotires-back to the lake. there were tourists snapping all in pictures. Of study Italian. who had had his full share Df-Coney-Island.almost everyl>ody spoke a good broken English . The long blue Iake. Freeman still hoped for what he hadn't. never enough breath to get any' where: clearly a landlubbcr from the Word go. Freeman didn't row well . the two he visited. And the palazzo is historical. . leve. Ah. he sat at a bench irt the small park. what names of beauty Isola Bella. The islands. what few got in the world and mony dared not think of. thick nets drying in piles near fishermen's dories drawn up among trees. [hen turning bank.it was at least a half nide E0 the island. sometimes gold. On weekends. the stone statuary a tasteless laugh. glancing up often to gaze 2t the water. And he discovered there were guided toursonly . It was a warm wind. t orit. talked now and then to stray Italians . A day they hurried t ő their picCl nics. He was very fond of the balcony at window. The sight of tbese islands aroused in Feernan a deep efnotiori. when he was staring at the islands. slept there. there was.the pirék palazzo full of old fiunk. who ever got emotional over Welfare r island? \ But the islands. sometimes green. visible statuary.tné filled Mm with expectancy. and dcl Dongo. he hired a rowboat.. if you peshed hirn a little he could almost cry. driving the sueking waves against the side of the bort. Freeman showed little interest. This didn't exactly disturb Freeman. watehing the lingering sunset over the dark mountains and thínking of a life of adventure. was glad of the change. because a síi breeze had risen. One evening at sunset. yheir writers have wept at its beauty. fYou never saw such unusual gardens. --thert=it ra lialf in rectun T but chided . tiny but teeming with palazzi. he wandcred in the back streets of-Srresa. the IsolaJeLDongo. 'More natunl. old houses hugging crookcd streets. Frceman returned tci12Lupensione. gardens. he thought. the emperor. but not Freeman. hitt a wind was a wind and the water was wet. again. including grottoes made of seashells. Of what. including a cardinal who became a saint.and he swam always water. He liked the red•roofed town of Pailanza on the opposite shore. watching theynen playing a cia avoiding the laden store windows. He lived in an airy. and for war. a buzz ofLnerriment in ke.and lived too much on hirnself.' J-Iowever. the calm waters so marvellously painted they drew him from inactivity. the words by now Sounded slightly comical.had learned late in his twenties. and especially the fog beautiful islands in the water. let h rrr'do Freeman walked off the vaporetto at Isola Bella arnid a crowd of latescason tourists in all languages. iGardens seen in rfty time. Then the young Itallans and their gírls got up and danced in tight embrace in the pubkc square. however. adventure. . freedom. rowed towards .ccursionists from around Milan arrived in us oads. also the waves anti wird. paintings. as he beached the boat. fast got a haircut. but Freenian. Yet Freeman secretly touched the counterpane.through long halk hang with tapestries and elaborate mir. The cantains billowing In bis sunny room the next rnorning awoke hím. the arca was touyist gew. old books. sneaked on to the Hotel Excelsior beach for a dip. Only thus ces cet ahle to remain open thees magnificent 'eestorícal palatz aricl supreme jardens for the inspection by the rnembers of all nations. The wind drenched hitri with spray. In the early afternoon he read his Italian_lesson on the balconijhen snatched a snooze. At four-thirty . his hcart like a rnetal disc in his mouth. who wrathfully rakod his cane 10 the 1 . Arnidst these thoug ts e was startled by a movement -----1-rrriTgarden by the water's edge. h had mornentarily seemed as though a statue had comc to lifc. gradually heiimp_icame. it rose in terraces through hedged gardens crowded with statuary. statuary a lot of it in better taste than the stuff he had seen on the other island. turning from time to time to per ahead. fiiad visions o Sr6~fig..a raft in the lake nobody he recognized. Wearing his bathing trunks undor slacks.9vemtlzc noing zrew frighteningly • ? 4/_•• fot rough. Fie had. Freeman rose. took off. The family del Dongo. However. and was tempted to speak to fleT. of all that had sli ed throu is ngers. At lant Freeman neared the island. and after break. lie guided himself by the flitkrering liglits ot the Stresa shore. the vegetation lush. and he visited where Napolcon had slept . But the padrona had told the truth . so requests. the waves were not too bad anti lie had diseovered the trick of leiting them hit the prow lead-on. It rained hard as he The Lady of the Laka v) landed.a bed. in Wth5<ri of the island was strictly in the guidc's footsteps. one of the most illustrious of Italy. Inak out her fart. biLleaff.Freeman boarded the vaporetro making its hourly tour of the islands. and victato trying to go anywliere alone. alter all. but Freeman quickly realized a woman was standing this side of a lovi marble watching the water.' They tailed the guide at a fast clip through the NI2Ct. exptic birds fl ying around. Freemari hastily turned the boat with ore-43al and pulling kard. Frecman recaptured the sense of awe and beauty he had felt upon first bcholding the islands. and dayliRht reassuring scill !ingered in the sky 2mOng streaks of red. coming from the direction opposite that which Free = had taken Tast night. Mrs. Although the lake was by now black. then trailed bebind this unshaven sad-looking clown. crowded with the usual stalls piled high garxv. to his surprise. enormous rooms filled with antique furniture. though the sky ditnly rellected white. to a palazzo on top.eJle-imagirarnorn cone wait' ing for ber lover. made gond ti me. And though he had hoped otherwise. You paid a hundred lire for a ticket.this island looked more interesting than the others. stdving fruitlessly to reach the top. his own. the rowboat swaniped.>obbed among nasty1. the row• boat 1.fi • pS The Lady of the Lake hirriself for his timidity. hired the boat for ars borira so he kept rowing though he fearcd the risk. But as he rowed.he kit he áTT hadn't made up his mind until then . Although he handled his ()ars awkwardly. who stabbed a jatinty cane at the sky as he announced irt three languages to the tourists who followcd him: 'Please riot Bor wander. Freeman. poor Freeman slowly sinking to the bottom. shaved. sport but refreshing. He could not.thed in r and despite the thickening dark. By no vv the place was _b.they-iere~roaching the island. bathed. and still rowed on. though no( quickly enough to escape the al[seeing eve of the Italian guide. but then the wind blcw up strongly and the waves rocked his rowboat. Like Isola Bella. though he sensed white dress moved in the breez. considered his adventure an accomplishment and ate a hearty sípper at a n expensive restaurant.. to Freeman's surprise and deep regret. the boat headed for the isola del Dongo.-As . of course. "When the vaporetto landerartU dock on the southern stide of the island. After touching at Isola Madre. The wind now helped rather than hindcrcd.. A t he same time he recalled a sad rnemoryof unlivcd lift. he observed a lanky boy in bathing trunks tinning him_self on. he e it d' z y. jasmine. her wet skin glistening in bright sunlight. may the word for ever perish.. he thought only God knew what. the guest intruder. One of his former girl friends had told him she sometimes thought of him as tall. The large brown eyes. under straight slender brows. had no fear of their meeting. unenvious. Gazing from here.a11.. Yet though he knew he made a good appearance. And ra w9Jean on. Freeman grew pale and the girl blushed. rhodadendron. When the comical guide bounced forward. lw hopped over a marble wall and went hastily through a small wood. Q at the panorama of the gcdlsn-blue lake. seeking. Freeman ca-_-'. When he glaneed up. evaporated. nose well-moulded. he experienced a painful. As the guide hurried forward. / He figured he was headed in the direction of the garden by /the water whcre he had seen the girl in the white dress last 'light. overcome . a raft hundred feet away a r stone steps into the lake. She.. quite on the handsome s-ide. seemed to welcome about him. Her 03.he was for the « first time sering. He felt had until the group — about twenty — were led into the garden..shazpitaiian fice had that quality ot beauty which holds the mark of FiWr3P7 the beauty of people and civilization. roses in innumerable colours and varieties.rtourists. ran atong beside a tall laurel shrub and down two flights of stairs. apparently. the highest phint of the islapd. what a qtteenly higli•assed form itself the C2 11. of course. camphor and pepper trees. though it was an 'underground' reaction. fell behind the group .$_:_. nobody on it. her lips were purely cut as — if from rd flowers. ducked behind the pepper tree. leading down an came upon a Iittle beach.5e of grace. huge camellias. Everywhere were flowers in great profusion. He was a bit short. forming words of apology in his mind. ends gether over her high-arched breast. She had sten hirn and quickly bent for a towel she had Ieft on a t draped it over her shoulders and modestly held the blanke. This counterbalanced the occasions when he had thought of hirnself as short.of personal poverty. a girl in a white bathing suit was roming up the steps out of the water. `Basta t' This embarrassed Freeman and two British ladies carrying parasols. Freernan fearcd this moment. toerA -›Freeman was. Freeman. because of the uncountabie obstacles existing between strangers.0d4r Kf the illand w3s_dating r -volulF tuous. f iz slightly off his rockerraubis extraordinary assailment of his senses. although not positive he had a path planned it so. expressive. xliausted by the excitement. He rose. She had. he knew. eucalyptus. the mouth generous. as a matter of imtnediately curious surprising fart. and pretended to inspect the berries of a pepper tree.ioo The Lady of the Lake levet of Freernan's heart and explosively shouted. . partty because of alI he hungered for frorn lik. litt1e moody. herself also favoured physically — she ha mama. Freeman sat down under a tree. it out be said. They went among orange and lemon trees (he had never known that lemon was a perfume). and parti).ky. a t the same moment 4 :14h<4 b y almost breath-less excitement. He had well-proportioned arms and legs and his stomach lay respectfully flat. all bathed in intoxicating floral fragrance. because he usuall ► held a decent opinion f himself. but on him. of course. contracting remembrance more like a warning . were (illed with sweet light. At the same time. but after several minutes of involved wandering• Freepebbly strand. This he had difEulty accounting for. oleander — the guide called out the names. even. a New York City boy from away back. She stared at Freeman. About a a was anchored. magnolia. but he also knew he wasn't a badlooking guy. Her wet black hair fel' upon her shoulders. the former floorwalker. it barely showed. with his cane indicating cedars. to rest. A haze that had been before his eyes. her nose was perhaps the one touch of . As the girl stood there unselfcon. the advantage of position — which included receiving. expectant. Freeman stared as she sloshed up the The Lady of the Lake joi • I shore. so to speak.k. Freeman's head swam.sciously regarding him — it could not have been longer than thirty seconds — was aware of his background and certain othe r d isadvantages . '--V And the luxuriant ve. Freeman's grey eyes were clear. Though a yirquirl hald at the back of his noggin — not more than a dime could adequately cover — his bead of hair was alive. Though itis'ált6It64font the island had been. after an absent. specifically. lish. suilused wiilt the loveltness ot youth. Anci she was different too. but didn't. as he had every intention of doing with her unknown family — other things of that sort. 'Are yoit rpf rham. had taken to hím. Sitt gave liittt her balul with a gentle smile.minded !mise. The girl saiti snmr(hing to cAto him.' be shouted a t Freeman. Yet. bot the guide was too turious to ikten. liad he. lw wasn't. Nntirrtire. Hoping to meet someone like her was his main reason for having come abroad. yanking bli n towaids the stairs.tol The 1 3dy of the 1 akt Imuittction that perfmed the Test — a trifie long and thln. he couldn't exactly teli. to small degtee. The Latly of the Lake to3 'Transgressor. acccnt 'Arc you an American?' she inquired. among other reasons lw had aireatly thought of. if not unknown othets. in the Interest ot good manners. Anti thotigh Freeman. barely resisted. (which of colt rse ciuickened her response to hien).' he s-2W. 'It was just a thought. juss when they . calmed down.' Lifting his hat. 'I'm proud to know you.191:1 1tágh secretly shocked by . He was about to surprise it with a kiss when the comical guide appe2red at a Wall a few terraces above. and then hesitantly asketi. Oh Cod. travelling abroad. On lati rpose you might say. Yet he dici not look jewish. that ifi.issment (the girl had vanished atter her und.fir5t. So without batting an eyelash. Freeman dreamed of a tri`" umphant return. 'Is Isabella del Dongo. or memory thereof. successful momentary intercession). ina way. but men were malleable. a liftit fin * to a small chin.thbed Freeman's ann. tiered what trials he Nvas in for if he went after her. man had. Anti he had also fel( would he a weciated more hy a his personality. no. lw had been favoured by her. Ami when Free. 'No. Freentan had =ments of grave doubt. taper. You Americans arc so varied. her ovoid fat e. though he personally had nothing mins( ütem. but he could teli yes. to put an embarr. He gazcol at thein ifi astonishment. 1 raine on nty own. the question. under let's can it similar circumstatices. namely in List night's rowboat. could pass as not had. She was abottt twenty•three or . 'That's The girl studied Nini for a MI minute. dared to duck the guide anti be waiting for her at the edge of the lake when she came out of it. since (heir lives were so ditferent. He gt. wa ving his cane like a rapier. won. perltaps it was sadness. at bst met his fate? •Si reTtlutor the girl asketi.' Ile had in mind to ask Iter if she romembered having seen him beforr. and he telt 1w was. smiling. thought Freeman. kis own history was something else again. namely the thus anti therefore of man-woman attraction — laid I( to the fact that he was different. for this reison. le\yisit ?'' j r Freeman súA)rWelt g:2:kli`. '1 undorstand. 'but have no worry. .' Safe orr. ite‘discovered in iter e ►CS a hidden hunger. Despite the etlect. Freeman. had dared. had sten in her nyes. and then some. iir introduced hiinself R. And a moment lator atitled. \Vhy had the tincs(ion popped out of her prctty mouth before they had cvcn met? He had never hefore been asked anything like this bv a girl. Just wity. Freeman understood and answered in Eng. and he wasn't afraid of attempting to create certain daring combina Hans Isabella anti Henry Freeman. lw said. Arid he was iri afterthotight wonied rause she had asked hím if he was Jewish. sincetely welcotied.' ' My IlaMC: She said. the guide whacked ltim across the seat of the pancs: ittt the ex-floorwalker did not complain.. a knockout. unexpected.' kle bowed.) Her past lw could see boiling in her 211 the way back to the knights of old. her pleasantly tottched with an English one.' she explained vaguely. He had. was soft. The híg t hing so far was that she. (He had been reading with fascination ahout the del Dongos in aii the local guide hooks. it was not. Yet wondering if yes why yes — an old habit Freeman.fottr. but of course different as regarás past. then let ont a yell and Tan down the stairs. still tightly holding her white towel. Not only in her iooks and backgrounti. greatly annoyed. But if the maid or somebody answcred the phone first.a thousand lire.a_note. Freeman tore it open and extractcd a sheet of thin bluish paper with a few iines of spidery writing on it 'You may some this afternoon at six. he was stopperi by the lake patrol and cnmpelled to show his passport. Sono Giacobbe. whetted his adventurous appetite. The family had a khji a-history and was known for its ő (Wc *and trtckery. the boy running after him. although the padrona raised interested brows. Freeman was overwhelmed. chased. perhaps eleven or twelve. But the fanatic guide at once spied Freeman.not more than a beginning but where begin? He considered calling her on the telephona. his answer. I. Freeman lcft at once. • Freeman changed in the bathroom. she making it a point. when a man attracted hcr. that night. Sunday. and a seersucker suit. but possible. Frqeman thought of tying up at a dotk and searching around a bit. the corner embossed with somebody's coat of arms. though he imagined her presence. her expression became ser Having rnailed the letter. He was in the grip of an almost unbearable excitement and must see her again soon. He saw no one. The boy. Later he told the padrona that anything addressed to that name was meant for him.friendship . At . who had been watching Freeman with large curious eges. erous cane. lmt after he had_slipped hcr .The Orizzo was dark. Fearing a scene that the girl would surely bor of. Maybe she had once had some sort of unhappy experience with 2 iew? Unlikely. quickly to detemine his bility'. asking if be might have the pleasure of seeing her again undor eircumstances favourable to leisurely conversation.Streisa. he boarded the vaporetto and soon landed on the island of his dreams. He suggested a carriage ride to one of the other lakes in the neighbourhood. Ernestot *turned out to be the temperamental guide with the restif. Row- The Lady of the Lalre ler. shook his head. they were now everywhere. he might have an aceident. often. Freeman heard a knock on his door.for reasoils of . and waving his cane like a schoolmaster's rod.' ‘ Dov'é Ernesto?' The boy pointed vaguely at the wind‘ow.w on the 'akt after dark. the whole island looked dead. But ben he figured hcr question might have been a 'test' of some kind. and signed his name not Levin. warned him not to have anything to do with anybody on the Isola dal Dongo. dal D. A long-legged boy in short pants and a torra shirt handed him an envelope. An officer advised him not tti rr.' lt was already aftcr five. recently pur. Signore. Ernesto will accompany you. which Freeman took to mean that whocver he was was waiting at the !akt front. giddy with pleasure 'Tu sei Ernesto?' he asked the boy. With ancien( history why botper? All thesc things . a light straw. not a single window lit.the odds agairtst him. iong ¥ith ÁLA--4. -yu1( . The next morning. Ing back"to. he felt time desvnd on him like an intricatc trap. probably a major Jon» in the palazzo. Freeman wrote a few ines on pad stationery he had bought for the purpose. almost gloomy. ernerging in a jiffy with his new straw hat on and the seersucker suit. to Freeman's startled surprise. become her friend . of course. at the low point of depression after an afternoon nap. He was puzzled because he abso- lutely did not look Jcwish. How would ever 4d Ééitntil she answered? That evening he impatiently hired a rowboat and headed for lsala dal Dongo. was sufficient. but it seemed like folly. perhaps a queer thought that had for no good reason impulsively entered her mind.' He ran down the stairs. 'No. The water was glassy srnooth but when he arrived. Breathlessly. the dock... He gave no explanation. She was always to refer to him as Mr Freeman. if thcre was one in a palazzo where l apolton had slept.104 The Lady of the Lake were looking each other over. he would have a ridiculous time identifying himself so he settied for sending ber. And because it was queer. on him to depart peacefully. wearing sunglasses.1" . without elaboration. in a confidential mood. but Freeman. together with the usual group of tourists. `Let's go. The padrona. Freeman finally explained it to himself as 'one of those things'. `Also thees ees the same with you' The guide spoke with a half-embarrassed smile around his drooping cheroot butt. he began to row rhythmically. that he was-n't exactly a villaff. This for wha tever it was worth to such as the Italian aristocracy. weatherbeaten rowbozt. Freeman thought. as if he had been carousing all night and had founcl no time to rest. and he rneant living. and from time to time he absently_. Freeman traded places with the boy. he settled for 2 show of politeness. he was obviously n unwilling one. '.' Freeman grunted. '1'm comfortable. and the boat went along more smoothly. he thought. though his palms were painfully blistered. Ernesto spoke in a not unfriendly tone.' 'For the young people ees a nice lift. I Freeman searched around and catne_upith . who smelled freshly of garlic. he would create one.polc'ed his cane in the slats at the bottom of the boat. allowing the left oar to sink deeper into the water than the right. That comes to about a quarter 1'`million lire every month. Freeman greeted him courteously. w 'Rich enough. The talkative guide W25 a silent traveller. he was mbar- The Lady of the lake mi rassedly aware of the boy and Ernesto. as if mernorizing what he had just heard. a pair of add birds. tinis twisting the boat off course. He wished them far far away from the bcaiitiful illand and in exasperation pulled harder. Though tempted to say something pleasant to the old man — no hard feelings on this marvellous journey. 1 .fter a time of prolonged silence. Once he removed his Mack felt hat to mop his head with a handkerchief. alike in their dark eye and greedy beaks. By dint of deterrnined effort.' Ernesto shrugged.' Freeman said. and as he awkwardly splashed the oars around. m ludge from his expression. managed with ease. a cross between a fishing dory and small life boat. 'but I have to work for a living. Freeman cliinbed in over the unoccupied part of the rear seat. he rowed badly. heavy oars. wasn't comfortable sitting so 1i‘ug Ernesto. as Giacobbe took his place at the oars. He seerned tired.' Ernesto now threw away his butt. Freeman then gave the guide an carful on the American standard of living. You could never teli the needs and desires of others. He's been asked to ask questions. ' How much does one earn in thees biziness in America?' Calculating quickly. He hoped for the bent. One of the boatmen on the shore gave them a shove off and the boy began to row. and for the woman cen the house maay remarkable machines?' ' Many. Freeman gazed up in triumph but they were no longer watching hirn. and Freeman realizcd he was ball and looked surprisingly old. What would he reply to A. 'ikre you in biziness?' he ultimately asked. now a bit on edge. Ernesto.' . the boy trailing a straw in the water.I 106 The Lady of the Lake the family. Preceded by the boy.' Freeman replied. working deftly with a pair of long. then. contentedlovirw the wide airy world. A dead cheroot hung from the corner of his mouth. if there was no leak. 'Maybe I'd better row and give the boy a rest?' 'As you weesh. Nothing comes from nothing.. but at the stern of an oversize. Freeman had no idea wherc to begin. Perhaps a few wise v. The oars were impossibly heavy. and in honesty added. Freeman replied. then wished he hadn't. He rowed quickly from the shore and towards the island where Isabella was waitin ) Freeman. After a while. but Giacobbe. 4 1 pers-onaily average i about a hundred dollars a week. the guide staring dreamily into the distance. It was like pulling a hearse. Freeman reuurked. public relations. lrt--of— . though hei<rt6N t1Vbe o . as if having studied Freeman and decideel when all was said and done. watched t '• Freeman row for a while. hesitantly sat down next to Ernesto. Now a guide in another context.ords had subdued him and though haughty stift. . • Everybody yays how rcech ees America?' he remarked. 'Excuse me that I ask. openly staring at hirri. no? I mean there ees always what to eat. The big boat seemed hard to rnanoeuvre. The guide sat not in the ritzy launch Freeman had expected to see. She was sitting on an old stone bench mar a little marblc fountain. it would have !leen a good sign. At each ter[ace he glanced around. frnesto removed his respeetful hat.' Ernesto replicd. good. wtuit ecs bees tra je? . k 1n conversation he was at first formai. felt that if he hadn't made a bosoin fricnd. Freeman thought. bccausc it was gongi in the doing. a sweering gestiire that seelnet1 to takc in the whole upper half ot' the luseious island. anti on her narrow fcct she ware sandals. but this feeling was overwlichned by one of pure joy when she rose ta givc him ber hand " ' Welcome.' She turned towards the palazzo. Frceman hitt 'And your father?' Here the Fali& pausel.. Freeman. that too often sncaked into his thoughts — so. searching Free- The Lady of the 1 ake ici) at the Tiape of ber graceful neck. might he today. a gesturc so beautiful it saddened hím. I have been looking forward to seeing you. asked hien in a complimentary tant' whcrc he had learned his English. now looking tered by it alt. '1 thank you for your kinti note. at the same time Freeman sensed an uneasiness in lier NViliCli trade him think. as evanescent. then Isabella twk . As Freeman approached her. he could not help thinking as he dwelt upon her lost gesturc. his hat alrcady in his hand.something of the palace?' p He was at this news both1. tactful. alonc in the garden behind thc palazzo. Thev have gongi to a wcdding on another illand. tensing. yet. sharply incised.' Isahella said. ‘4. then Freeman.fy people arc out. dead — insurance. He went towards her with a deep sense of the transitoriness of things. who had often been in love. He found her.ackR The lady of the 1 ake Frne. slender black skirt. and so. Leave it ta the Italians at this sort of thing. the lovely face. told himself. though he fought the idea. `Everywhere. They walked for a white in the garden. that they were far away from love. with a wcary smile. that she might be as clusive as it. hose jets from the mouths of mocking elves sparkled in 10w sunlight.sto rcpcated the stun. but when he looked down from looking up without sighting Isabella. ltcr hair ioosely knotted i blistercd fingers. consolidating possible gain. Until you were favers you were strangers. intim!. then ran up to the next. They said nothing more until they had reached the island. her tanned legs were without stockings . Freeman hoped the man would not insist on accvmpanying him and interfcring with his meeting with the gini. The boy's cycs had widened. Warning himself to be careful. slic seemed happy. whcre he had gucsscd she would be. and that. Beholding her. on this miraculous Sunday evening was aware of his indefatigable 'reality. despite alt the days he had lived through. pointed his cane at the top terraces. He did inot at the ino m ent foci liké m ecting her family. Although he felt in her presence a fulfilment. a little agitated to sec him — perhaps one and the same thing — and he wantetl then and there to embrace her but multi not work up the nerve. the dark eyes pensive. They landed anti watehed the boy tie up the boat. yet soft in its femininity. fetting the sunlight hathe lris balti heati. Z r. on home grounds. and. Freeman asked Frnesto wherc the signorina was. both Ernesto and Ciaeobbe had made thetuselves scarce. as if they had already confessed love for one another. she brushed back a strand of hair. after wandering through profusions of flowers. 11w guide. and a long. he had at least softened an enemy. and so might this illand be. She was wearing a linen blouse of some soft • shade of red that fell gently upon her breasts. 'N. Yet if she had presented him. tomorrow. Freeman. But that's what hal> pened. bad and boring. alert for cach shift in prcvailing wind. holding onto his hat in the satisfwil breeze. in ber rnanner. and chough Freeman.eased and disappointed. was going good. hlushing. he went quickly the stairs. ' What abotit asketlFreeman.` ' Was. May 1 show you . walking slowly to keep from loping. Freeman ached m his oar Ma n's face. or at least were i approaching it through opaque mystery. ' What did he do to deserve his fa te?' Freeman inquired. a trick.' Freeman said. Isabella hurried pasi thís and led Freeman into a room he had not been in before.* '1 guess live got a hat to learn. was of a writhing !eper. No one The Lady of the Lake 111 biuish-green fabrfcs of woodland scene unicoms and tigers disporting S themselves.' This slightly depressed hiten. He caught a glimpse of her 'Ali. with one of her lovers. though his bort contained found himself comparatively silent. so he splashed on and made the taft with breath to spare.' she remarked.' They entered the main picture gallery. though ín 5 . but many of the copies arc exceedingly heautiful. which darkened as the sun set. bard school! 'All the Titians are copies?' anchored.' ' Oh ha. Bellinis. ' What would you care to see?' Though he had superficially been through two floors of the wanting to be led by her. His brother Joseph may have been hete. 'Yes. his worries a] ways greater t ha n t heir cause. hating the picture he must make in her eyes. although there are some fair originals from the Lom. 'What about the statuary also copies?' 'For the most part. he drown. From the garden close by the beach where the raft was tere. 'This is a poor country. Freeman replied. Or suppose she had to jump to rescue him? However. wbo slept here. 1 He slept on Isola Bella. Tintorettos. He swam wkwardiy.' Isabella said.the future.' Isabella explained. or perhaps Pauline. as the moon was rising. 'Whatever you wa n t me to. Isabella fia little say about herse1f she seemed to be quite often ps a'nd Freeman. making Freeman breathless. isabella was no loDger there. nothing risked. his band and he felt better.. they watched the water turn a?! colours. ' He falsoly said he could • 'For that you go to hell ?' She did not reply. Isabella pointed out the Titians.' She took him first to the chamber where Napoleon had slept. the tiger killed the unicorn. The hall had become gloornily dark.When the nrght was complete. But when he had pulled himself up on the raft. she was already in the water. One before smile and said that most of the paintings in the galiery were copies. and stiN suffered visions of dwvirnin in twelve feet of water. and stepped behind a s gii i7 hen she came forilL Freeman had this utterly amazing vision of her. Freelyawager to sec her from up close (she S sitting on the rafUlhowing her breasts to the rnoon) she fi his clothes behind the shrub where her delicate things Jay.' His face fel!? 'Is something the matter?' • ' Only that I couldn't telt the fake from the real. swimming for the raft. 'It would take an expert to telt they weren t originals. hung with tapestries of sombre scenes from the hitet-no. Apollo Belvedere slightly niaimed. so they left. and walked down the stone steps into the v?arin water. to his dis• may.lio The Lady of the Lake Freeman's band and led hirn through a heavy door int° the large rococo palazzo. spotted from head to foot with pustulating sores which he tore at with his nails but the itch wen t on forever.n e fc: 0 is sure. . but before he could eves focus his eyes on her flowerlike behind.' ' Oh. At this she traversed the long thet1511§-eks'»d remarked as they But were hang with them. this close to hím. concerned with the complexities of . `Copies?' Freeman was shocked.' said Freeman. hall genuine and valuable. They rneant little to Freernan: hong . ' We often pretend. 'It wasn't Napokon himself. naked. then a t the door of the roorn she turned with an emharrassed which they stopperi. nothing gained. Isabella sajd she would be gone for a moment. After an nguished consideration of could he swirn that far or would . he thought. U. of both parents dead. man of adventure. tions la ter on.s t z The Lady of. Nursing gloorny thoughts. worries he was worried most about one. ••n••~""' "'" . that a man's nobody knew him and nobody 'would know'. Another solution might be one he had thought of often: to change his name (he had considered Le Vin but preferred Freernan) and forget he had ever been bora Jewish. 'aches. where her. As for the wcdding itself. things would somehow especially if Isabella. and withdrew while he dried himself and dressed. he was pleased. Cousins lived in Toleda. their probles as they arose.n6Yie s.És'_tI es4e. what they could get out of life together. staring often at the in the opaque lake.eGi v en t .. • as he lay in bed waiting to sleep. if the surprise was upsetting. dreaming of her. He awoke with . more or less. ment. And when he brought Isabella to America they could skip N. of course.in ce it was quite clear she wanted nothing to do with a Iew. the unspoken promise of love. At first sight love and a Iie. He felt he. and red wine. He ar m the stirred up. Ohio. the worry that troubled hím most was the lie be had told her. Éhen. but life in t. jumped into the water and splashed his way back to the islaneb. say He could. with the strength of this love they could conquer jr8 a'td a good handful.. some burdensome. for a while angered at the runaround on the raft. It was strange. confess. No. But a rnernory was only a mernory — you could forget. he was prepared for that. and go to live in a place like San Francisco. He wandered through the afterglittering islands noon. not 50 mueh the 1 k denial of being Jewish what had it brought hím but bead• as the lie to the . he ate them. Yet. where they would always live and never bother. he the only sor. they ate hím. And he regretted that he hadn't g9tten—quickly to the raft. by her family.t1t1. • a. that of all his buzzing If Isabella loved hirn. Her family would give before flight in her eges. enormously patent. a( first sight.S. if that was the way it had to her it was the way..Y.beloved. an independent girl.voked ou r: r this ad ditional advantaae. many satisfying. By nightfall he was exhausted and went to sleep oppressed by all he had lived through. relaxed with the wine and feeling of freshness after a bath. Monday moming Freeman didn't know what to do with L himself. The Lady of the Lake 1'3 many Italians.?ke Ii-non the shore. prosciutto. already clothed. The mosquitoes behaved long enough for hirn to say he loved her. She threw it to Freeman as he came up the steps. 'but that might ruin all. It was done every day. cheese. expendable. unhappy memories? —on his he3rt Iike . from a large platter delivered from the kitchen. although it did not entircly satisfy hím. surprised by what he had accomplished: the evening alone with her. Isabella kissed him tenderly. when he had sneezed twice and presupposed a nasty coll. was waiting with a towcl. the trusting intimate sight of her beautiful body. had she asked 50 searching a question? Or he might admit nothing and iet past was. Ye t th" ti e es eat. Ön the other hand. including aristocrats (eke why had Ernesto been sent to sniff out conditions a fine Éhing for their ma there?) rriageable daughters. or being embarrassed by them.(. Isabella. in alt probability. as he now felt she did or would before very long. When he came forth irt his seersucker. Thus he decided. but he would go along with that to hastcn things. not Freeman. To arrangesuch details and prepare other minor changes was why he Sguted on a trip ot two home before they were rparried. gazed a little eagerly at the szar-spangled shore. it could safely be said. bread. Freeman. not change it. hadn't begun to say half of what he had wanted — the kind of man he was. that he wasn't a Jew. sor wh. might cause recrirnina. was considered by 4 she knew Le•in.C. it lay i sore. inferiorities. Freeman rested a while. it woidd probilbdy have to be ín a church.y. her kiss. His decire for her was so splendid it hurt. Éhen Ernesto and Giacobbe appeared and rowed him backto Stresa.A. There was no question of hurting family. 6nd out after she had lived a while in the States and seen it was no «íme to be Jewish. since he would have to rnarry her here to get her out of Italy. ISking behind the shrub.should somehow have made every minute with her better. stift excited by what might have happened if he had reached it before she had left.. she offered salami. up the slope to the summit of the möttntain.oat. l ttt whatever was bothering lier. ile nin« sumetime driring the day tirop the word 'elope' to see if she savourvd it. eault a mirror refietting whose fate? Anti 111[1. draw?) by an old elect -tic locomotive moved slowly thrwigh th e town and more sluwly up the slope of the mountain. avas again silent. 51w was wearing ik surprised hím. at [IK° &duck in the piazza where the electric (nin tank off for Mottarone. watching the laki fait as the mountains rose. 1w lioped for her lips bot gut instead her polite . 1 . she asked. SIie s mil e d as she greeted Ilim. he murntured.114 The Lady of the Lake ar‘oke the next mornIng. after all. front whose summa one saw the beautiful panorama of lakes and Inoturtaltis in the region. and fel) silent. immediately shuok off. 1te asked hímnothing and Freeman grew seli. *I ike a seven-brant-herl tandelabrum holding white randles tIn the 5ky ?* Isabella asked.' Freeman was deeply rnoved by the appeared. Isabella wrote. inexpressive. his unspenkable for rine unimportant thing nr another. He was at first coneerned. Thotigh the tourists followed in'a crowd. le had a sudden frightening rentembrance of lier seeing him f)3keti as he Cartle (Jut of the lake and lelt constrained to teli her that cirturneision was de rigueur 1n stateside hospitals. fingers. but she was standing lpart ÍromItim. bot Freemin. Slte may not have notived. the mountnin top was brniii and they stood near its edge. he felt he had gruwn a hend tllier and was inspired ta accomplish a fent meri wnttld wonder at_ 'Isabella —' Freeman torned to ask her to marry hím. 'Don't those peaks — those seven — look 1ike a terroralt r' iLike a what?' Freenian politely inquired. A long volt far an ertrlless loorney. I umething lile urat. 1r . ' " Ml pezzo tii paradiso caduta d'il cie l° ' t ' You Ca n say it again. H e s i g h e d. becnitse she often •ame tip his Jour. Alt. ber hand rnoving in a gentle arc. 51w would meet hitt]. smnking impatiently.1114e Illoilse and skirt she had wenn un Sunday. allowing lier her own rate at flowering. written the leltet to hitit. namely. 1-nock suunded his mood from turning dark blue. bey boarded the tram with a dozen tunrists and tud alone un the nyelt s•at in front. withdrawn. ) %on was brutal!y 91 1-lad itr. bot tlw tram at llst came ta a stop and they wa1ked thrunit a field thick with wildflowers. lier face pale. Th e enblimity of the distant Alps. Iltese kissill in broad daylight spies ti 11 papa) an ti the shyly witbdrew her hand. She named the white peaks from telt !kosa to the jungfratt. l. was practically contented.' Isahella sáid.ttt she had. Puinting ta the snowy motintains.11 in the distance ruse a ring of astortishing snow clad Alps.. - ' We say Here. and she had vaguely prom 1 1 17ss. Nvislt sedueing probabilitv? \Vas he inventing a situation that didn*t exist. serem lake''s were sc:ittered. Below them.Soon. es a reward for managing !his shoi pi-imitted beduin to hold heT 11111(1. The padrona. though Ite para liercredit brr resisting foolislt 5 . for a marment without plans. when thought. but Giarubbe holding furth the joy it was (upid irr short [Ilus familiar envelope. Would he share this with her? »honolt he had qualual tlw morning's anxiety. heset by a swarm of donbts When Nyould he see tonrerning his plans and Isabella again. Ici alune marry her? (I When ?' he had whiseteil before getting int° the b. rFrie man brunght Ised. so be •Ontlered a-irat hol nacis she had had tv walk un to get off the island. but as she tante towards him 1w noticed she was fut quite looking at hint (irt the distance he could see Clacohbe rowing away) her face neutral. They rade for cluse to two hours.' 't )r tio yott see the Virgin's crown adorned with 'elvek?' . her feeling far hím. been constructing a hö1'e1ess fantasv. orr the green undulatíng plains of Piedmont and 1 ri mbardy. the possibility uf a future with lier? He was desperatelv casting abont for something to keep . Freeman wa thete at one pan. apart Írompointing to somei l l i ng Itow and [hen. Isibella. to all intents and purposes ilone. Ilis sort rose as she s The Lady of the Lake t t I Iram. but he didn't dare. Gazing at thern. ' bot winter hat.. It was this thP .' he said bitterly. as if he had been . still eager to propose. th alotr &'kud become a caretaker ? She W25 2 na tora!-born \ --. hoped she wiould finally say she loved not del Dongo. He fett things wou[TheeasTer ' No. his own. I said what I .otc t •r oG ec remi said Ernesto. when She blushed and turned away. H w 'I don't really know. the Ivliddie Ages looking out of their eyes. He was resting his wrists oa the handie of 1115 CO ne. told Freeman she had a He. Freernan lelt 'Yes.. as the> tram ride w were waking for Giacobbe to come with the rowboat. hint. bh of the boa enjoyi ng th< That's whn t I wa s afraid °•' boat and steadie d it for k with the • li ttle d t sadly. huri where it hurts .getnan M bay!"ith theF. said. thinking he should have noticed hefore how worn her Mouse arád sidrc were. He was mo Freeman ran down to the dock: the sun had set and the greatly disturbed than he could account for. the fault was most!) .in his drearns. a real magF tben she n for 'Clearer how?' e aves his stick and up pops ereeyes searched i 1 tt le irI i.a. damn fool for making up fairy tales . Instead.' h e rwtjave. she said.rn2y. He has wanted l' rid his conscience was calm.1 94i called hiinself a . vkviÉll all my heart.' rt' z ' . should have sere more than he had. The.F.the simple_hope of 1 finffing a girl worth IT14 rrying. I wanted you to stay unta I knew you better. üt had caught himself. and he could 'not forget that he had orisrnali -. _they were Tlits on that score I asked him to. I thought you would be dearer to me after a 'No. but so had he to her. it all depends how yo i The 10ok a t it.10enc a rist95 Ital ki . mine.iip pe 7 nce. t.. -as faster going down. After an hour in his 'Caretakers?' Fteeman was astortished.wi i e er hy del Dongo or any °Éber name.She nodded. ilvly nallie bella della Seta.rn ici. 'Perhaps I wasn't serious in th e ame time I wish ed ou? 1. 3 roo m. burdened by a n overpowering londiness. ' Why didn't you sas so?' e be finn i ng.' he . Isabelta. They were alike as the proverbial peas Italian faces. Sh. But he sat ac the stern to dar Ciacobbe had COIT1C sister. his r. There+s a father for you. Ilid Isabella send y thougt you wanted to Lear. her. be caught sight of sotneone sitting on a bench . Át the lake front.Ernesto... . 151. So INhu if `Ernesto is your father?' His voice rose. }fitt th s h you to stay. : saki Freeman. rny fathet. Freeman guessed .111 ro E[nesto but warned hismelf not to.' They left the mountain and went &Nini to the water.' ' .II a round now that the air had been cleared. As if guasing the !est. He did what o CoAmerica. but undor the right circumstances. rw m ad a ee ve n beIla got into the boat and GiacobbepushedY Lia f ro m af2r' h bk n off twie t h o :e ca : a turrnoil. We are the caretakers of the palace. So she had Th Was it his idea for you to say you were sornebody else?' t rne 1 tied to him.\:' 'You weesh a boait ?' the guide asked in a not unkindly tone.. H e came because she was unhappy. confession to rnake. .' wanted CO say ro. queen.n d:s e h is cr ► ing. 11 th thed'esire-had developed cmbrother and L We arc pajor people•' Flications. The del Donos have not been cm the istand in years.. w e nt bac k to his pensione in 2 . re to g iSo you had to pretend. She mustn't get away from him. I-se was considerexpecting jut this to happen• '!Ing untying one af the rowboats and Ilying tomorrow. He thought of taking off for Yenire or r e7-béit his'h(art ache d for love of her. • • 'falba'. He bad almot added `I'm not hiding anything. -boatmen were bone. 'I was not sere o the dr. her eyes troubled. woking a cheroot. his chin on them. dropped her glance. It is Isa. in his cumstances.x6 The Lady af the Lake i u• Maybe the crowu' he faltered. swallowing spaghetti. ' he muttered.. ih• ► Irl l 11•? .. I1r tcndrrly kined ber PlUrning thr — desecration.4414 1. was standing at the low wall 2mong the mooniit st3tuary: %tags. When lie SAici itiX)d eVe his light strow. I treasuir what I suffered for. I I anti ' I k woyd tor her hreasts. fltc torned to hint witli a swert nin& thi% she irt 1111I1 110. Frecman hastened to the garden at the lake's edge.wered. Free un eminaccdoniy moonlit stotte« # _„. tigers and unicorns.ed at him witlt Gyes moistly vift. the flosidight didn't work. When she reveiled her hreists — ht rj eould have wept at their heatity (now recalling 2 tomer invitation to gaze 3c (hm. kiss ot suckle them: hu( sir had steppel a mong the statues. but the moon and his memory were enough.. sise'l ming: for n lir ask1itp PlUt thirn rrnsbkil with the fc_ir of at (IIC 111A ' I 10W ing ho. (he way they saved clothes in this poor evinitry.. ‚#) I rrrtnan on.orti hrrociiing.' lews.ird.. t thought at eine [line it was possible you wrre 1 hnped hu( was wrong: Isabella '''‘‚ 1 W (tied brOke'nly."' ‘•ji.d byr o whisr. and when he vainly --> it". But wherever she had. 1.j. We a re jews. lier back towArds hiiiti though .99411er Frrernan off :tionatrly /melyet! then carte havitostir t() ri m r ry you. and decided anywhere. God bless her. The NA zis chd it. •To vfivnn 17.' Freeman groaned.. seeing the mountains surroundIng it lit in the Tast glow of daylight. I Lb(rn. 'when I was 2 litcle girl. poets and pointers. fused as to her inteni. and handed Freeman a fla_slilight. g— yon? Oh. tliís from lile. Iir my. to chitch. Where had she got the word. 'Buchenwaid s ' Isabella said. [lie' figitrr of a future bride. shepherds with pipes.4 1( P4-4/4 sought lirr in the veiled mi« that ila(1 rím-it from thi± lAke. When the boat touched the Joel:. bilidt5 1!?.r.1 arrived roo bit sin th e fr) — to his horror he cfiscern 7tatiooed on the &ott and tender 1111 a hltsish line of distorted numhers.' he said tiredly. 50fill mik. he must settle this subject once and for all tonight. Freeman thought of the *?:lenorah' in the Alps. dl can't nurry you. arousing Freeman. Inevluble Ihunder lAte "Uh>. and playful shepherdesses. stiii — — — "Hitig her name. pointing with his cone. stunned by the Sh r ws wr•2 ring v liitc. w w. where the roots of trees hung like hoary beords bove the water. The Fascists sem us there. r A )i y r'" you keep -.4.iy . Een the fardal. Isabella. incensed at the crucity.i0 Pl‚- -/‚ f ill'e •rge. ' Don't wait up. a book or pieture. hí. the polc [mon rost.118 Tbe Didy of the Lake Irt the rniddle of the lake. couid pictutr brr hfr. She v•3s motionlesl. Ernesco tied up. gazing at the light sliimmering un 1 The Lady of the bke s ig bodice.. perhaps tc an altatd wedding dress — he would not be surprised if a hasd m e . Kall? prif miny tv/s ‚Dalt .' She z. nrYrr ? W117 dr) yfill periitt with ItILII f()01131) t hoxii)-*e !Ko ri yq+) wete: S1r Wiy $iie toributioned brit . though he was thoroughly onn.down. he wondered. Nly past is meaningful to [ne. lir: had pirosont thoughts of buying lier sonir nifty outfits. too?' 't cini no! wish 10 tell you something you would not welcome.