The Black Swan

I must admit to a certain bitterness. I felt life was so cruel to me while it was benign to Belinda, and I could not help that twinge of resentment toward a fate which could be so unkind to me and benevolent to her.

I took to sitting by the lake. I found a certain satisfaction in watching the swans.

On one or two occasions I ventured near to the edge of the lake into Diable’s territory.

It was only when he came swimming toward me that I retreated. I was fascinated by the swans. Oddly enough, in these sad days they helped to cheer me in some way. They seemed to tell me that I must be prepared for life which was not always what it appeared to be, that it was no rare thing in the midst of happiness to find the canker which would erupt into fearful disaster. I thought often of that maid who came out, in all innocence, to admire the beautiful swans and had ventured too close to the water’s edge... consequently she had been viciously attacked and had lost an eye.

I had come near to disaster, too... saved by Jean Pascal.

I was sitting there, watching the swans, when Jean Pascal himself came along. “Oh, there you are, Lucie,” he said. “This lake fascinates you, doesn’t it? I really believe you have quite a fondness for old Diable.”

“He interests me. He’s so beautiful. He looks so calm and harmless... right out there in the middle of the lake.”

“Yes, I know, Lucie. You seem a little preoccupied lately.”

“I? I’m sorry.”

“It’s nothing to apologize for. I was just wondering whether there was any trouble.

If there was something I could do to help?”

“You have been most kind.”

“It has been a great pleasure for me to have you here.”

“It must have been a great joy to you to have your daughter with you.”

“I was thinking of you, too.”

“You have been very kind to me, but it has occurred to me that I must not abuse your hospitality. I think it is time I returned home.”

“You can’t go, Lucie! What of Belinda?”

“It would not be necessary for Belinda to come with me.”

“She would be terribly upset if you went. So would I. Robert is coming back as soon as he has settled his business. Then they will announce their engagement. I wanted to talk to you about the arrangements and so on.”

“Belinda will talk to you about them. I really think ...”

“Lucie, there is something I have wanted to say to you for some time. I have grown very fond of you. I know I am a few years older than you, but I am young in heart. Lucie ... I want to marry you.”

“Marry me!”

“You sound surprised. We have always got along well together, haven’t we?”

“Of course ... but ...”

“Well, why not? You have been happy here in the chateau, have you not?” I did not answer. I could not truthfully say I had. I had always felt that sense of foreboding. Was it because I had subconsciously felt he was too interested in me for my comfort? Was it because I had come here mourning my father’s death and uncertain of the part I had played in convicting the man suspected of murdering him; and that the man I was going to marry was missing? I had come here with all these burdens on me. No, certainly I had not been happy here. “Oh, Lucie,” he said, “I have failed then.”

“You have been a kind host and it was good of you to invite me with Belinda. But I could not be happy. My father ...”

“Of course. Of course, I understand. I have been tactless and foolish.” He took my hand. “Lucie, I love you. I know I could make you happy. I can give you a full and happy life. We will have a happy family. I promise you your welfare shall be the main concern of my life.”

I felt a desire to run away ... up those marble steps into the chateau, to my room, to pack my bag and get right away.

The idea of marrying him filled me with dismay.

“I am sorry,” I said. “But I could not think of marrying.”

“Perhaps I have spoken too soon.”

“No. It is not that. I do not want to marry. I appreciate your kindness, but I could not marry you.”

“Give it a little thought.”

“That is not necessary. No amount of thought would make me change my mind.”

His face darkened. I felt a twinge of that foreboding which came to me now and then.

I was sure that his anger would be something to fear.

He sat back in the seat, glaring out at the lake.

Diable began to swim toward the shore. It occurred to me that the swan sensed Jean Pascal’s anger and believed it was directed at him.

I said, “Look! The swan is coming.”

I stood up and was preparing to move away, for I knew that as soon as we showed that we were not approaching, the swan would turn back to the middle of the lake. Jean Pascal had risen also; but he showed no sign of retreating. He was looking about him for a weapon. With a quick movement he broke a branch from one of the trees and strode toward the water’s edge. The swan flew toward us suddenly and attempted to attack Jean Pascal, who beat at it viciously.

For a few seconds it was not clear who would win, but Jean Pascal was in command. The swan realized this perhaps, for suddenly he flew back and settled on the lake where his mate was patiently waiting for him.