多蘿西·丹尼爾斯

Lydia Bradley had no idea where they were going for dinner until the hansom pulled up in front of the six-storey building at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street. At first she thought， somewhat wildly， that they might be headed for Sherrys， just across the street， but found her escort instead indicating the imposing structure that houses Delmonicos， the greatest and most elegant of New York City restaurants.

Bryant Drury had warned her to dress well， so she had worn her best—and only—dinner gown， bought back home in Lyttonville. It was a year old， but still in fashion of 1891—a sea-foam green silk trimmed with white lace and large clusters of pink roses that were held in place by satin bows. A costly extravagance at the time， since she had no idea when she purchased it if shed ever have an opportunity to wear it. She had further indulged herself with green silk gloves， stocking and matching satin slippers. When she regarded herself in the mirror before Drury called for her， she no longer had regrets about her prodigality. She smiled saucily at her reflection， noting that her fair skin shone with a faint glow of excitement， brought on by the thought of her evening out with a dashing newspaper man.

Drurys sophisticated dress and the cosmopolitan manner in which he helped her down from the cab， paid the driver and took her arm to lead her into the ornate interior of this famous restaurant made Lydia feel less than secure. But she held her head high， remembering she was Paul Bradleys daughter.

“Mr. Drury， sir！” The maitre d rushed forward solicitously， hovering over him， and Lydia was amused to see that because he was well-known， the management considered it important to lavish attention on this gentleman， whose presence in the restaurant gave it added prestige. While she and Drury discussed the champagne vintage， she let her eyes drift casually about the room， scanning the splendidly dressed， poised clientele， recognizing several from having seen them before at charitable or political gatherings in the last six months. Bryant Drury was a famous reporter who worked on the same newspaper as she and she was well aware that he could help her attain a measure of success she might otherwise have to strive years for. The fact that he was also a handsome and charming man was furthermore not lost on her， and she was flattered he had invited her to dinner.

Drury was a globe-trotting reporter， she knew， with entry to palaces， embassies， the far-flung homes of the great and the rich of the world. His stories were always exciting if somewhat flamboyant， a fact that only seemed to increase his popularity.

“Ive already said you look charming，” he said. “I withdraw the compliment.” He paused， then drawled. “Exquisite would be a better word. Youre the most beautiful young lady in this room.”

Lydia raised an eyebrow， unconsciously arch. “Hardly that， Mr， Drury， but thank you for the gracious compliment.”

“Its the truth，” he replied easily. “All eyes turned as you entered. I hope you approve my choice.” He indicated the richly furnished setting.

“Indeed I do，” she replied. “New York is still a whole new world for me. And Im not yet accustomed to being a part of high society. I have attended some large affairs here， but only in my role as reporter—and a minor one at that.”

“Not minor for long， Lydia. I predict great things for you，” he said. “You also have something else perhaps more important going for you，” he went on. “Your beauty， your fair skin， blond hair and blue eyes will take you a long way. You have tremendous appeal.”

Lydia answered with that smile her father had called her Mona Lisa look. Suddenly Drury reached for her hand and held it between his own. Once again， his eyes looked deeply into hers and once again， she felt a certainty that he would not expect the evening to end with dinner. She was about to withdraw her hand when the waiter came to take their order. Bryant freed her and sat back.

After more champagne was poured， he ordered a chateaubriand rare， as Lydia had given him permission to order for both of them. She was pleased at his choice. They drank the champagne， enjoying Oyster Rockefeller for an appetizer， which seemed like an entire meal to her， although she soon realized each course was served in leisurely fashion unless otherwise requested.

The beef， surrounded by a half dozen attractively arranged vegetables， arrived and was carved in style. Lydia would have preferred a lighter entree at this point， but bravely made her way through most of it， finding it delicious. After they had finished dinner and sipped Napoleon brandy while Drury smoked an expensive cigar， his leg touched hers lightly. Quite by accident， she thought， until a repetition made it evident that it was intentional.

Though she made no verbal protest， her features could not help but reveal her displeasure. He desisted at once， a slightly amused look on his face， but gave no other evidence that she had scorned his attempt to make the dinner a more intimate affair. Lydia found herself blushing， feeling more naive than she had yet felt in New York.

“Tell me， Lydia， do you live alone？” Drury asked after a long silence.

“Yes. I dont have any family here... and not many friends yet.”

“On your salary it must be a challenge to make ends meet.”

“It is， but I am resourceful. One day it wont be as difficult.”

“Of course you are. In the meantime—and please dont be offended by this—you could—ah—come and live at my place. Its very large and comfortable... a hotel suite. No housework...”

She looked at him in astonishment over the rim of the brandy inhaler. It took her a moment to be certain she had heard him directly. Then she carefully set down her glass as she addressed him.

“Mr. Drury， I thought you were paying me such attention because you believed I had the qualifications to make a fine reporter. I see now that your intentions were quite contrary to this. I no longer desire even the smallest shred of your time or advice. Nor do I wish you to see me home.” She had stood up abruptly， and spoke louder than she intended， so that several couples turned to listen.

“Oh， come now， Lydia， do sit down，” Drurys face had slightly reddened. “I was only testing you to see how far youd go with your very evident ambitions. I was about to tell you that if you ever accepted an offer like the one I made， you wouldnt last as a reporter.”

Her smile was contemptuous as she remained standing. “Mr. Drury， you are a persuasive man and I can see why youve become so successful. You are a fraud.”

“Sit down！” Drurys sharp tone startled her more than his order. She obeyed， puzzled but curious. Drury was looking over her shoulder and across his face came a look of mixed anger and maliciousness.

“Turn your head casually，” he told her， “as if youre looking about merely as a matter of curiosity. At a table to your left there is a matronly woman romancing with a boy not half her age.”

Lydia didnt care for prying， but she knew it was a part of the profession she had chosen， so she obeyed him and found that what he said was quite true. The handsome woman， certainly fifty or so， was holding the hand of a young man across the table and there was a look of open adoration in her eyes.

“That，” Bryant said， “is Mrs. Hallet. Hellen Hallet. Her husband is Paul Hallet， a broker whom I hate and with good reason. He once threatened to knock my head off because of a squib I wrote about him. And hes made me no way to reach some important men on Wall Street. Long ago I made up my mind to even the score if the occasion ever presented itself. His wife now made that opportunity possible.”

“Because she is dining with a young man？”

“Dont be so damned naive， darling Lydia. Her husband is a man of great moral character and his wife is presumed to be the same. Can you imagine his rage in the morning when he reads the story in my column？”

“You actually mean to write that up？” Lydia made no pretense of her astonishment.

“Ive changed my mind about you. I dont think youll ever make a good reporter.” He opened his golden watch and， as he closed the cover， began to get up.

Lydia sipped the rest of the brandy， though she didnt want it. She did turn slightly to look back at the table where Mrs. Hallett had been seated. She wasnt there. The handsome young man was. Apparently she had gone to the ladies room. Lydia made a sudden decision， then arose slowly and gracefully. She threaded her way between the tables， attracting male attention as she did so. The maitre d hotel directed her to the ladies room， where seated at a long makeup table， Mrs. Hallett was powdering her nose.

She glanced at Lydia as she sat down. “If you dont mind， miss， please sit somewhere else.” Lydia was too startled to obey， though she did look about the powder room. She and Mrs. Hallet were the only occupants.

“I know you are addressing me.” Lydia said. “But why would you say such a thing？”

“I dont care to sit near anyone who is in the company of that beastly Mr. Drury. Has he， by chance， asked you to question me？ Oh， quite innocently， of course， but hoping you might get something for his despicable column！” The woman spoke into the mirror with surprising fury， avoiding Lydias gaze.

“Mrs. Hallett， Mr. Druary does write a column， but hes also one of the most intelligent reporters in the country.”

“I know that. I even agree that he is， but when hes in New York， he writes a column of trash that has too often insulted friends of mine. If I ever find the opportunity to make trouble to him， I shall most certainly do exactly that.”

Lydia held her breath for a moment. “Mr. Druary just left the restaurant， Mrs. Hallett. Now may I sit at the bench with you？”

“I believe you. You seem like a decent young lady. Its about time someone gave him a hint as to what he really is. It must have shattered his ego， I told my brother about him.”

“Your brother？” Lydia managed to keep her voice impersonal， though sudden horror enveloped her.

Mrs. Hallett smiled. “He graduated from medical school this morning and were celebrating. My husband had an important meeting tonight. So Im doing the honors.”

“I noticed him， of course.” Lydia began to gather her things and stuff them in her evening bag. She had to get out of here quickly， but not so abruptly as to arouse Mrs. Halletts suspicions.

“Most women do notice， my dear，” she went on confidingly. “Hes really a handsome man， but hes not as young as he seems to be. Hell be a very fine doctor.”

“His good looks will help assure that.” Lydia managed a smile as she stood up and extended her hand. “Im pleased to have met you， Mrs. Hallett.”

“And I you， my dear， though you didnt give your name.”

“Miss Lydia Bradley. Good evening， Mrs. Hallett.”

She left the powder room， moving in a leisurely manner， and returned to her table where her cloak was still draped over the back of the chair. As she passed Mrs. Halletts table， she smiled at the young man.

“Congratulations， doctor，” she said.

He seemed startled， but he arose and bowed.

A waiter assisted Lydia with her cloak and she left the restaurant. Lydia was churning to get back to the office before Drurys story reach the press or before he hand it in.

（To be continued）

莉迪婭·布拉德利心里直嘀咕，這是要到哪兒吃晩餐啊，直到她乘坐的這輛雙輪雙座馬車慢慢停在了第五大道和第四十四街路口的那棟六層樓前。一開始，她胡亂猜想，他們可能是去街對面的雪利飯店，但她的男伴反倒指了指戴蒙尼可大酒店所在的那棟堂皇的大樓，那可是紐約最大、最高檔的酒店。

布賴恩特·德魯里事先就提醒過莉迪婭要好好打扮，所以她穿上了自己最好也是唯一的一件晚禮服，那還是在老家利頓維爾買的。禮服是一年前買的了，但依然流行，1891的款——淡綠色絲綢連衣裙，鑲有白色花邊，還有用緞帶結(jié)固定的大束粉色玫瑰。這在當(dāng)時完全是一件所費不貲的奢侈品，因為買的時候她根本不知道自己是否會有機(jī)會穿。今天她索性就再放縱一下，戴上了綠綢手套，穿上了長筒襪，還搭配了一雙緞質(zhì)晚會鞋。在德魯里來接她前，她照了照鏡子，對自己亂花錢便不再懊悔了。她對著鏡中的自己調(diào)皮地笑了笑，注意到自己雪白的皮膚由于激動而顯現(xiàn)出淡淡的光暈，那是因為她想到今晚要和一位風(fēng)度翩翩的報人出去玩?zhèn)€痛快了。

德魯里衣著精致，以一副見過大世面的派頭扶莉迪婭走下馬車，給車夫付錢，然后托著她的手臂領(lǐng)她走進(jìn)這家著名酒店華麗的大廳，這讓莉迪婭略感不安。但是，她依然昂著頭，想著自己是保羅·布拉德利的女兒。

“德魯里先生，您好！”餐廳領(lǐng)班熱情地奔了過來，一直圍著他轉(zhuǎn)，莉迪婭看著覺得很有趣，就因為德魯里有些名氣，酒店管理層覺得格外侍候好他很重要，他來用餐給酒店增了光添了彩。莉迪婭一邊和德魯里討論香檳年份，一邊隨意打量了一下餐廳，掃了眼周邊那些衣冠楚楚、正襟危坐的客人，認(rèn)出其中有幾位過去六個月在慈善聚會或政治集會上見過。布萊恩特·德魯里是一位名記者，和她在同一間報社。莉迪婭心里很明白，在某種程度上他能幫她功成名就，不然她自己可能得拼上好多年。此外，她也注意到一個事實，這個男人還很帥，絕對有魅力，今晩受邀共進(jìn)晩餐真讓她有點兒受寵若驚。

莉迪婭知道，德魯里是一個全球到處跑的記者，進(jìn)得了皇宮、大使館，以及全世界權(quán)貴在各個角落的居所。他寫的故事總是很刺激，不過多少有些浮夸，而這似乎只是讓他更受歡迎。

“我說過你很迷人，”他說，“我要收回這句恭維話?！彼Ａ艘幌拢缓罄煌险{(diào)地說：“完美這個詞對你更恰當(dāng)。在這個餐廳的年輕女士中，你最美?！?/p>

莉迪婭下意識頑皮地翹了翹眉：“您說笑了，德魯里先生，不過還是感謝您不吝贊美?！?/p>

“我說的是事實?！彼樋诖鸬?，“你進(jìn)門時所有人都盯著你看。希望你喜歡我選的這家酒店?！彼噶酥覆蛷d里富麗堂皇的擺設(shè)。

“我確實挺喜歡的。”她回答說，“對我來說，紐約仍然是個全新的世界。進(jìn)入這個上流社會我還不太習(xí)慣。我在這兒參加過幾次大活動了，但只是作為記者——一個小記者。”

“很快就不會是個小記者了，莉迪婭。我算定你是干大事的人?！彼f。“你還有些東西或許更重要，” 他接著說，“你貌美如花，皮膚白皙，金發(fā)碧眼——這些會為你錦上添花。你真是魅力無窮啊?！?/p>

莉迪婭對此報以微笑，她父親曾說她這是蒙娜麗莎式的微笑。德魯里突然伸手抓住了她的手，緊緊攥著。他再次凝視她的雙眼，莉迪婭也再次肯定，這個晚上德魯里不是只想吃個晚餐就結(jié)束。她正想抽回她的手，這時侍者來請他點餐。德魯里放開她的手，向后靠在了椅背上。

他們又喝了幾口香檳后，德魯里叫了兩份三分熟的菲利加厚牛排，莉迪婭之前已同意由他代為點餐。對他點的，她都挺滿意。他們喝著香檳，吃著開胃菜洛克菲勒牡蠣，莉迪婭覺得對她來說一頓飯吃這一道開胃菜似乎就足夠了，不過她很快就發(fā)現(xiàn)，每道菜都是有條不紊地端上桌的，除非特別要求。

牛肉上桌了，切得很有樣，周邊擺著半打蔬菜，擺盤很養(yǎng)眼。主菜對莉迪婭來說量有點兒大，但她還是硬著頭皮吃了大部分，感覺味道還真不錯。晚餐用完了，品嘗完拿破侖白蘭地，德魯里抽起昂貴的雪茄，這時他的腿輕輕貼了一下莉迪婭的腿。她想，也許是不小心碰過來的，直到他的腿再次貼上來，這顯然是故意的了。

雖然她嘴上沒說什么，但是她的表情明顯表露出了不滿。他立馬停止了小動作，臉上卻顯出些許愉悅，一點兒也看不出他感覺到了莉迪婭對他某種企圖的不屑，他是想通過這頓晚餐跟莉迪婭更親密地接觸一下。莉迪婭覺得自己臉紅了，到紐約后她還從來沒感覺自己像今天這樣幼稚可笑。

“莉迪婭，跟我說說，你是一個人住嗎？”德魯里沉默了好一會兒后問道。

“是，我在這兒沒有家人……朋友目前也不太多。”

“光靠工資過日子肯定過得挺緊的吧？”

“是的，不過我有辦法?？傆幸惶烊兆訒闷饋淼?。”

“你肯定可以的。眼下——我這么說你可別生氣——你可以——呃——來我這兒住。我那兒很大，很舒服……是酒店套房。用不著收拾房間……”

莉迪婭的目光越過手上白蘭地酒杯的邊緣，她吃驚地看著德魯里。她愣了一下才確信他剛才直截了當(dāng)對她說了那番話。她在開口前先小心翼翼地放下了手里的玻璃杯。

“德魯里先生，我原以為您如此看重我是因為您相信我有能力成為一個優(yōu)秀的記者，現(xiàn)在我明白了，您的想法恰好完全相反。我不會再想著占用您哪怕一分一秒的時間或從您那里得到一絲一毫的建議。我也絕不想麻煩您送我回家?！彼蝗徽玖似饋?，嗓門兒不由自主地大了，以至于好幾對客人轉(zhuǎn)過頭聽她在說什么。

“噢，莉迪婭，來來，坐下說?！?德魯里的臉有點兒發(fā)紅，“我只不過想考驗?zāi)阋幌?，看看你的雄心壯志能陪你走多遠(yuǎn)。我正想告訴你，如果你真的接受了我剛才所說的那類安排，你這記者也當(dāng)不了多久了?！?/p>

莉迪婭站著沒動，她輕蔑地笑了笑說：“德魯里先生，您真是巧舌如簧，我看出來您為什么如此成功了。您就是個騙子?！?/p>

“坐下！”德魯里嚴(yán)厲的聲調(diào)比他的命令更讓她吃驚。她服從了，有些疑惑，但也很好奇。德魯里的目光越過了她的肩膀，臉上顯露出復(fù)雜的情緒，有怒氣，還有惡意。

“把頭轉(zhuǎn)過去，不要引起別人注意，”他對她說，“就好像你只是出于好奇朝四周看看。左面桌子有位中年婦女正和一個歲數(shù)不到她一半的男孩談情說愛。”

莉迪婭并不喜歡窺探別人，但她知道這是她所選的這份職業(yè)工作內(nèi)容的一部分，于是她乖乖地轉(zhuǎn)過頭看了看，發(fā)現(xiàn)他說得沒錯。那個女人很漂亮，肯定有五十歲上下了，正隔著桌子握著對面那個年輕人的手，眼里的愛意表露無疑。

“那位，”德魯里說，“就是哈利特夫人，海倫·哈利特。她丈夫保羅·哈利特是個經(jīng)紀(jì)人，我恨之入骨而且理由充分。我寫過一篇諷刺他的文章，他就威脅要敲碎我的頭。他還阻止我結(jié)識華爾街的一些大人物。我早就下了決心，只要機(jī)會來了我一定以牙還牙?，F(xiàn)在他老婆給我機(jī)會了?！?/p>

“就因為她和一個年輕人一起吃飯？”

“親愛的莉迪婭，你真他媽幼稚。她丈夫是個德高望重的人，大家認(rèn)為她也是。你能想象到明天早上他看到我的專欄文章時憤怒的樣子嗎？”

“您真的要把這事寫出來？”莉迪婭毫未掩飾她的驚訝。

“關(guān)于你，我已經(jīng)改變想法了。我認(rèn)為你成不了一個好記者?！彼蜷_金表看了眼，一邊合上表蓋一邊站了起來。

雖然并不想喝，但莉迪婭還是喝光了杯中剩余的白蘭地。她略為轉(zhuǎn)身又看了看哈利特夫人坐的桌子，她不在了，但那個英俊的小伙子還在。顯然，哈利特夫人是去洗手間了。莉迪婭突然作了個決定，然后從容地緩緩起身。她從多張桌子間穿過，吸引了許多男賓的視線。餐廳領(lǐng)班把她領(lǐng)到了洗手間，哈利特夫人正坐在一張長長的化妝桌前給鼻子補(bǔ)粉。

莉迪婭坐下時，哈利特夫人瞥了她一眼?！靶〗?，如果不介意，請您到別處坐?！崩虻蠇I吃了一驚，都沒顧上照她說的做，不過確實打量了一下這間化妝室。房間里只有她們兩人。

“我知道您是在跟我說話，”莉迪婭說，“但是您為什么會提出這樣的要求？”

“誰跟那個可惡的德魯里沾邊兒，我就不想跟那個人坐一起。他是不是要你找機(jī)會和我聊聊？噢，當(dāng)然，得顯得什么都不知道，但愿你能為他那齷齪的專欄搞到點兒什么材料！”哈利特夫人避開了莉迪婭的目光，對著鏡子說著，那份憤怒著實令人吃驚。

“哈利特夫人，德魯里先生確實開了個專欄，但他也是國內(nèi)最有智慧的記者之一?！?/p>

“我知道。我甚至同意他有智慧，但他在紐約搞的那個垃圾專欄三天兩頭侮辱我的朋友。如果我能碰上機(jī)會找他的麻煩，我一定不會放過。”

莉迪婭一時屏住了呼吸?！肮胤蛉?，德魯里先生剛剛離開酒店了。現(xiàn)在我可以坐在您旁邊了嗎？”

“我相信你。你看上去是個正派的姑娘。是時候有人提醒他看看自己是個什么樣的人了。一定要滅了他那不可一世的作派，剛才我還在跟我弟弟談他?！?/p>

“您弟弟？”莉迪婭盡量讓自己的聲音不帶任何情緒，但她突然感到了一陣恐懼。

哈利特夫人笑了笑?！八裉焐衔鐒倧尼t(yī)學(xué)院畢業(yè)，我們正慶祝呢。我丈夫今晚有個重要會議。所以，就由我全權(quán)代表了。”

“我當(dāng)然注意到他了。”莉迪婭開始收拾東西，把它們都塞進(jìn)她的晚裝袋中。她必須趕快離開，但又不能太急促，以免引起哈利特夫人的疑心。

“大多數(shù)女人都會注意到他的，親愛的?！彼菩闹酶沟乩^續(xù)說道，“他真的很帥，不過他其實沒有看上去那么年輕了。他會是個很好的醫(yī)生?！?/p>

“他長這么帥肯定行。”莉迪婭勉強(qiáng)笑了笑，邊起身邊向哈利特夫人伸出手，“很高興今天認(rèn)識了您，哈利特夫人?！?/p>

“我也很高興認(rèn)識你，親愛的，不過你還沒告訴我你的大名。”

“莉迪婭·布拉德利。晚安，哈利特夫人?！?/p>

她離開化妝室，不慌不忙地返回自己的桌子，她的披風(fēng)還搭在椅背上。經(jīng)過哈利特夫人的桌子時，她對那個小伙子笑了笑。

“祝賀你，醫(yī)生?！彼f。

他似乎吃了一驚，但還是站起來向莉迪婭鞠躬致謝。

一位侍者幫莉迪婭穿上披風(fēng)，她就離開了酒店。莉迪婭恨不得飛回辦公室，一定要在德魯里的文章付印前或他交稿前趕到。

（未完待續(xù)）