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saved； and the cafe at Benhur seemed almost within his grasp。 The feeling
of security from want acted as a narcotic and soothed him； so that the
things which should have troubled him scarcely interested him at all。 He
was intoxicated with the sight of gold。 When he had first seen Xantippe
and the Englishman together his anger had been violent； but when at last
the futility of his rage became certain； his aggressive passion had softened
to a smouldering discontent that hardly worried him； unless he heard some
one speak a British name。 His prosperity had destroyed the last vestiges of
shame and soothed his illogical outbursts of fury。 He was contented
enough now to sit all day with Madam Marx； and returned to his home in
the evening when Xantippe was away。 He had spoken to her only once
since she had told him she hated him。 He had strolled out of the cafe about
midday and entered his room。 Xantippe was there； talking to her child； and
quietly bade him go away。
〃It's my room as well as yours；〃 Gregorio had answered。
〃It is my money that pays for it；〃 was the reply。
A long conversation followed； but Xantippe met the man's coarse
anger with quiet scorn； and told him that if he stayed she would grow to
dislike her son since he was the father。
Gregorio was wise enough to control his anger then。 For he knew that
if she were really to lose her love for the boy； all his chances； and the boy's
chances； of ease and prosperity would be destroyed。 It was； of course；
ridiculous to imagine she would supply him with money then。 That she
thoroughly loathed him； and would always loathe him； was very certain。
So great； indeed； seemed her contempt for him that it was quite possible
she might come to hate his child。 So he did not attempt to remain in the
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room； but as he closed the door after him he waited a moment and listened。
He heard her heave a sigh of relief and then say to the little fellow； 〃How
like your father you grow！ My God！ I almost think I hate you for being so
like him。〃 Gregorio shuddered as he ran noiselessly downstairs。 He never
ventured to speak to her again。 He argued himself out of the disquiet into
which her words had thrown him。 He knew it was difficult for a woman to
hate her child。 The birth…pains cement a love it requires a harsh wrench to
sever。 He easily persuaded himself； as he sipped Madam Marx's coffee；
that if he kept in the background all cause for hatred would be removed。
As for her feelings toward himself； he had ceased； almost； to care。 The
money was worth the cost paid in the attainment of it； and a woman's
laugh was less sweet to him than the chink of gold and silver pieces。 On
the whole Gregorio had little reason to be troubled； only unreasoning
dislike for the Englishmanwhy could not he be of any other nation； or； if
an Englishman； any other Englishman？hurt his peace of mind。 And for
the most part his discontent only smouldered。
Madam Marx brought her coffee and sat beside him。 Her face
betokened satisfaction； and she looked at Gregorio with a possessive smile。
She had gained her desire； and asked fortune for no other gift。
〃You have not seen Xantippe since she turned you out？ Ah； well； it is
much better you should keep away。 You are welcome here； and it is foolish
to go where one is not wanted。〃
〃I've not seen her； I'm afraid to see her。〃 He spoke openly to madam
now。
〃Some women are queer。 If she had ever really loved you； she would
not have thrown you over。 I should not have complained had I been in her
place。 One cannot always choose one's lot。〃
〃It's that damned Englishman who has spoiled her。〃
〃Ah； yes； those English！ I know them。〃
〃Did I tell you what she said about the boy？〃
〃Yes； my friend。 But as long as you don't worry her； her words need
not worry you。〃
〃They don't； except sometimes at night。 I wake up and remember them；
and then I am afraid。〃
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〃Why do you hate the Englishman？ To my mind it is lucky for both of
you that this Englishman saw her。 There are not men so rich as the English；
and he is a rich Englishman。 You are lucky。〃
〃I hate him。〃
〃Because he has stolen your wife's love？〃 Madam Marx； as she put the
question； laid her fat hand upon Gregorio's shoulder and laughed
confidently。 The movement irritated him； but he never tried to resist her
now。
〃No； not quite that。 I'm used to it； and the money more than
compensates me。 But I hated the man when I first saw him in the Paradise。
There was a fiddler…woman he talked to； and he could scarcely make
himself understood。 He had money； and he gave her champagne and
flowers。 And I was starving； and the woman was beautiful。〃
Madam tapped his cheek and smiled。
〃The woman can't interest you now。 Also you have moneyhis
money。〃
〃Still I hate him。〃
〃You Greeks are like children。 Your hatred is unreasonable； there is no
cause for it。〃
〃Unreasonable and not to be reasoned away。〃 〃Well； why worry
about him？ He won't follow you to Benhur； I fancy。〃
〃It doesn't worry me generally； but when you mention him my hate
springs up again。 I forget him when I am by myself。〃
〃Forget him now。〃
And they drank coffee in silence。
Darkness came on； and the blue night mist。 Gregorio was impatient to
see his son。 He gazed intently at the door of the opposite house； little
heeding madam； who was busy with preparations for the evening's
entertainment of her customers。 Suddenly he saw a woman leave the house；
hail a passing carriage； and drive rapidly down the street toward the Place
Mehemet Ali。 Gregorio； with a cry of pleasure； rose and left the cafe。
Madam Marx followed him to the door and called a good…night to him。
Gregorio stood irresolutely in the middle of the road。 He had promised the
boy a boat； and he blamed himself for having forgotten to buy it。
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Grumbling at his forgetfulness； he hurried along the street； determined to
waste no tim