“And another thing, Prudencia. Could you live with the knowledge that, despite your divorce, there was someone who would, his whole life, until his very last breath, consider himself married to you?”
At the same time attracted and frightened by the awesome beauty of this image, she accepted that such a point of view was valid.
“In any case,” she said wistfully, “it would never have come to that. I know him well enough to be sure that he wouldn’t have consented to a civil wedding, so really I wouldn’t even have had the option. I could leave him, of course, but would that change anything? I’d always feel tied to him, because I’d know that he’d always consider himself joined to me.”
Horacio smiled as he took a cigar from his breast pocket.
“Do you mind if I smoke, my dear?”
Calling upon her unwavering sense of what was polite, Miss Prim assured him that she didn’t mind in the least.
“I’ve never understood why people enjoy cigars,” she said pleasantly. “They have such a strong smell. Why don’t you smoke a pipe? It’s very dashing, and smells so much better.”
Her host lit the cigar and drew on it deeply, peering at his guest through the smoke.
“Because a pipe requires commitment, Prudencia. A pipe requires perseverance, loyalty, and commitment. In a way, and to make it quite clear, the cigar is to romance what the pipe is to marriage.”
The librarian laughed, regarding him with affection.
“And now what?” he asked suddenly. “Where will you go?”
“To Italy, I’ve told you.”
“So you’re going through with it? I thought you were just saying that. Surely you don’t believe all that nonsense about needing to live in Italy to round off your education?”
A little queasy from the cigar smoke but determined not to let it show, Miss Prim seemed for a moment to be lost in thought.
“No, I don’t believe it,” she said at last. “I’m not going there for my education, Horacio. I’m looking for fulfillment. I’m looking for beauty and perfection.”
“I see. And you think you’ll find that in Italy?”
She stood up again and went to the window. The garden was covered in a thick blanket of snow. The branches of the ancient trees stood out against it like hard, dark charcoal strokes.
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “I realize that what I’m looking for may not exist, that I may never find it. But, having said that, is there anywhere in the world as full of beauty as Italy?”
Suddenly aware of his guest’s growing pallor, Horacio extinguished his cigar and looked at her fondly.
“I want you to know how much I’ve come to value your friendship, my dear. I’ll miss you with all my heart.”
Touched, Miss Prim went to her friend and, perching on the arm of his chair, took his hand in hers.
“I’d never have fitted in here if it hadn’t been for you. I wouldn’t have understood the little I’ve understood without your help, your gentlemanliness, and your company. I’m more grateful than I could ever express, Horacio.”
“Nonsense,” he replied, trying to conceal his emotion by tightly squeezing her hand.
And, after a long silence, he added tenderly: “Will you ever come back?”
She too was quiet for a moment before answering.
“I wish I knew, Horacio. I wish it was possible to know.”
Hortensia Oeillet was making up a colorful bouquet of peonies and roses when she glimpsed Miss Prim through her shop window. Delighted, she smiled to herself, quickly hid the flowers behind the counter, and rushed out to the back to put the kettle on. She was just bringing out a carrot cake from the pantry when she heard the tinkling of the bell above the door.
“I saw you cross the street,” she said, embracing the librarian. “Virginia, Emma, and Herminia are on their way. I’ll put the Closed sign up so that absolutely no one disturbs us. So you’re leaving in a week? You don’t know how sorry I am.”
Miss Prim followed the florist out to the back room. A cheerful fire was lit in the fireplace and the small tea table, on which Hortensia also did her accounts, was covered with a blue damask tablecloth and laden with food. The librarian smiled and breathed in the fragrance of the tea as it brewed.
“Oh, I’m going to miss San Ireneo’s old-fashioned, civilized ways so much!” she said, winking at her hostess.
