《蒙特卡洛》（节选一）

多萝西·丹尼尔斯

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，这是要到哪儿吃晩餐啊，直到她乘坐的这辆双轮双座马车慢慢停在了第五大道和第四十四街路口的那栋六层楼前。一开始，她胡乱猜想，他们可能是去街对面的雪利饭店，但她的男伴反倒指了指戴蒙尼可大酒店所在的那栋堂皇的大楼，那可是纽约最大、最高档的酒店。

布赖恩特·德鲁里事先就提醒过莉迪娅要好好打扮，所以她穿上了自己最好也是唯一的一件晚礼服，那还是在老家利顿维尔买的。礼服是一年前买的了，但依然流行，1891的款——淡绿色丝绸连衣裙，镶有白色花边，还有用缎带结固定的大束粉色玫瑰。这在当时完全是一件所费不赀的奢侈品，因为买的时候她根本不知道自己是否会有机会穿。今天她索性就再放纵一下，戴上了绿绸手套，穿上了长筒袜，还搭配了一双缎质晚会鞋。在德鲁里来接她前，她照了照镜子，对自己乱花钱便不再懊悔了。她对着镜中的自己调皮地笑了笑，注意到自己雪白的皮肤由于激动而显现出淡淡的光晕，那是因为她想到今晚要和一位风度翩翩的报人出去玩个痛快了。

德鲁里衣着精致，以一副见过大世面的派头扶莉迪娅走下马车，给车夫付钱，然后托着她的手臂领她走进这家著名酒店华丽的大厅，这让莉迪娅略感不安。但是，她依然昂着头，想着自己是保罗·布拉德利的女儿。

“德鲁里先生，您好！”餐厅领班热情地奔了过来，一直围着他转，莉迪娅看着觉得很有趣，就因为德鲁里有些名气，酒店管理层觉得格外侍候好他很重要，他来用餐给酒店增了光添了彩。莉迪娅一边和德鲁里讨论香槟年份，一边随意打量了一下餐厅，扫了眼周边那些衣冠楚楚、正襟危坐的客人，认出其中有几位过去六个月在慈善聚会或政治集会上见过。布莱恩特·德鲁里是一位名记者，和她在同一间报社。莉迪娅心里很明白，在某种程度上他能帮她功成名就，不然她自己可能得拼上好多年。此外，她也注意到一个事实，这个男人还很帅，绝对有魅力，今晩受邀共进晩餐真让她有点儿受宠若惊。

莉迪娅知道，德鲁里是一个全球到处跑的记者，进得了皇宫、大使馆，以及全世界权贵在各个角落的居所。他写的故事总是很刺激，不过多少有些浮夸，而这似乎只是让他更受欢迎。

“我说过你很迷人，”他说，“我要收回这句恭维话。”他停了一下，然后拉腔拖调地说：“完美这个词对你更恰当。在这个餐厅的年轻女士中，你最美。”

莉迪娅下意识顽皮地翘了翘眉：“您说笑了，德鲁里先生，不过还是感谢您不吝赞美。”

“我说的是事实。”他顺口答道，“你进门时所有人都盯着你看。希望你喜欢我选的这家酒店。”他指了指餐厅里富丽堂皇的摆设。

“我确实挺喜欢的。”她回答说，“对我来说，纽约仍然是个全新的世界。进入这个上流社会我还不太习惯。我在这儿参加过几次大活动了，但只是作为记者——一个小记者。”

“很快就不会是个小记者了，莉迪娅。我算定你是干大事的人。”他说。“你还有些东西或许更重要，” 他接着说，“你貌美如花，皮肤白皙，金发碧眼——这些会为你锦上添花。你真是魅力无穷啊。”

莉迪娅对此报以微笑，她父亲曾说她这是蒙娜丽莎式的微笑。德鲁里突然伸手抓住了她的手，紧紧攥着。他再次凝视她的双眼，莉迪娅也再次肯定，这个晚上德鲁里不是只想吃个晚餐就结束。她正想抽回她的手，这时侍者来请他点餐。德鲁里放开她的手，向后靠在了椅背上。

他们又喝了几口香槟后，德鲁里叫了两份三分熟的菲利加厚牛排，莉迪娅之前已同意由他代为点餐。对他点的，她都挺满意。他们喝着香槟，吃着开胃菜洛克菲勒牡蛎，莉迪娅觉得对她来说一顿饭吃这一道开胃菜似乎就足够了，不过她很快就发现，每道菜都是有条不紊地端上桌的，除非特别要求。

牛肉上桌了，切得很有样，周边摆着半打蔬菜，摆盘很养眼。主菜对莉迪娅来说量有点儿大，但她还是硬着头皮吃了大部分，感觉味道还真不错。晚餐用完了，品尝完拿破仑白兰地，德鲁里抽起昂贵的雪茄，这时他的腿轻轻贴了一下莉迪娅的腿。她想，也许是不小心碰过来的，直到他的腿再次贴上来，这显然是故意的了。

虽然她嘴上没说什么，但是她的表情明显表露出了不满。他立马停止了小动作，脸上却显出些许愉悦，一点儿也看不出他感觉到了莉迪娅对他某种企图的不屑，他是想通过这顿晚餐跟莉迪娅更亲密地接触一下。莉迪娅觉得自己脸红了，到纽约后她还从来没感觉自己像今天这样幼稚可笑。

“莉迪娅，跟我说说，你是一个人住吗？”德鲁里沉默了好一会儿后問道。

“是，我在这儿没有家人……朋友目前也不太多。”

“光靠工资过日子肯定过得挺紧的吧？”

“是的，不过我有办法。总有一天日子会好起来的。”

“你肯定可以的。眼下——我这么说你可别生气——你可以——呃——来我这儿住。我那儿很大，很舒服……是酒店套房。用不着收拾房间……”

莉迪娅的目光越过手上白兰地酒杯的边缘，她吃惊地看着德鲁里。她愣了一下才确信他刚才直截了当对她说了那番话。她在开口前先小心翼翼地放下了手里的玻璃杯。

“德鲁里先生，我原以为您如此看重我是因为您相信我有能力成为一个优秀的记者，现在我明白了，您的想法恰好完全相反。我不会再想着占用您哪怕一分一秒的时间或从您那里得到一丝一毫的建议。我也绝不想麻烦您送我回家。”她突然站了起来，嗓门儿不由自主地大了，以至于好几对客人转过头听她在说什么。

“噢，莉迪娅，来来，坐下说。” 德鲁里的脸有点儿发红，“我只不过想考验你一下，看看你的雄心壮志能陪你走多远。我正想告诉你，如果你真的接受了我刚才所说的那类安排，你这记者也当不了多久了。”

莉迪娅站着没动，她轻蔑地笑了笑说：“德鲁里先生，您真是巧舌如簧，我看出来您为什么如此成功了。您就是个骗子。”

“坐下！”德鲁里严厉的声调比他的命令更让她吃惊。她服从了，有些疑惑，但也很好奇。德鲁里的目光越过了她的肩膀，脸上显露出复杂的情绪，有怒气，还有恶意。

“把头转过去，不要引起别人注意，”他对她说，“就好像你只是出于好奇朝四周看看。左面桌子有位中年妇女正和一个岁数不到她一半的男孩谈情说爱。”

莉迪娅并不喜欢窥探别人，但她知道这是她所选的这份职业工作内容的一部分，于是她乖乖地转过头看了看，发现他说得没错。那个女人很漂亮，肯定有五十岁上下了，正隔着桌子握着对面那个年轻人的手，眼里的爱意表露无疑。

“那位，”德鲁里说，“就是哈利特夫人，海伦·哈利特。她丈夫保罗·哈利特是个经纪人，我恨之入骨而且理由充分。我写过一篇讽刺他的文章，他就威胁要敲碎我的头。他还阻止我结识华尔街的一些大人物。我早就下了决心，只要机会来了我一定以牙还牙。现在他老婆给我机会了。”

“就因为她和一个年轻人一起吃饭？”

“亲爱的莉迪娅，你真他妈幼稚。她丈夫是个德高望重的人，大家认为她也是。你能想象到明天早上他看到我的专栏文章时愤怒的样子吗？”

“您真的要把这事写出来？”莉迪娅毫未掩饰她的惊讶。

“关于你，我已经改变想法了。我认为你成不了一个好记者。”他打开金表看了眼，一边合上表盖一边站了起来。

虽然并不想喝，但莉迪娅还是喝光了杯中剩余的白兰地。她略为转身又看了看哈利特夫人坐的桌子，她不在了，但那个英俊的小伙子还在。显然，哈利特夫人是去洗手间了。莉迪娅突然作了个决定，然后从容地缓缓起身。她从多张桌子间穿过，吸引了许多男宾的视线。餐厅领班把她领到了洗手间，哈利特夫人正坐在一张长长的化妆桌前给鼻子补粉。

莉迪娅坐下时，哈利特夫人瞥了她一眼。“小姐，如果不介意，请您到别处坐。”莉迪娅吃了一惊，都没顾上照她说的做，不过确实打量了一下这间化妆室。房间里只有她们两人。

“我知道您是在跟我说话，”莉迪娅说，“但是您为什么会提出这样的要求？”

“谁跟那个可恶的德鲁里沾边儿，我就不想跟那个人坐一起。他是不是要你找机会和我聊聊？噢，当然，得显得什么都不知道，但愿你能为他那龌龊的专栏搞到点儿什么材料！”哈利特夫人避开了莉迪娅的目光，对着镜子说着，那份愤怒着实令人吃惊。

“哈利特夫人，德鲁里先生确实开了个专栏，但他也是国内最有智慧的记者之一。”

“我知道。我甚至同意他有智慧，但他在纽约搞的那个垃圾专栏三天两头侮辱我的朋友。如果我能碰上机会找他的麻烦，我一定不会放过。”

莉迪娅一时屏住了呼吸。“哈利特夫人，德鲁里先生刚刚离开酒店了。现在我可以坐在您旁边了吗？”

“我相信你。你看上去是个正派的姑娘。是时候有人提醒他看看自己是个什么样的人了。一定要灭了他那不可一世的作派，刚才我还在跟我弟弟谈他。”

“您弟弟？”莉迪娅尽量让自己的声音不带任何情绪，但她突然感到了一阵恐惧。

哈利特夫人笑了笑。“他今天上午刚从医学院毕业，我们正庆祝呢。我丈夫今晚有个重要会议。所以，就由我全权代表了。”

“我当然注意到他了。”莉迪娅开始收拾东西，把它们都塞进她的晚装袋中。她必须赶快离开，但又不能太急促，以免引起哈利特夫人的疑心。

“大多数女人都会注意到他的，亲爱的。”她推心置腹地继续说道，“他真的很帅，不过他其实没有看上去那么年轻了。他会是个很好的医生。”

“他长这么帅肯定行。”莉迪娅勉强笑了笑，边起身边向哈利特夫人伸出手，“很高兴今天认识了您，哈利特夫人。”

“我也很高兴认识你，亲爱的，不过你还没告诉我你的大名。”

“莉迪娅·布拉德利。晚安，哈利特夫人。”

她离开化妆室，不慌不忙地返回自己的桌子，她的披风还搭在椅背上。经过哈利特夫人的桌子时，她对那个小伙子笑了笑。

“祝贺你，医生。”她说。

他似乎吃了一惊，但还是站起来向莉迪娅鞠躬致谢。

一位侍者帮莉迪娅穿上披风，她就离开了酒店。莉迪娅恨不得飞回办公室，一定要在德鲁里的文章付印前或他交稿前赶到。

（未完待续）