I introduced myself at once and asked her if you were in
Paris. I was sure it was you...that night...."
"Will you come in!"
He followed her into the salon, softly lit by candles. She felt that
fate for once had been kind. It was difficult to imagine surroundings or
conditions in which she would look lovelier, be seen to greater advantage.
But her hands were cold.
"It is too late for tea but perhaps you will share my frugal supper."
"If it won't inconvenience you too much. Thanks."
She sat down in the wide brocaded chair with its tarnished back. He stood
looking at her for a moment, then took a turn up and down the long room.
Certainly she could not object to him to-day on the score of youth and
freshness. His hair had lost its brightness. His face was very brown and
thin and the lines if not deep were visible even in the candle light. His
nose and mouth had the hard determination that life, more especially life
in war time, develops; it was no casual trick of Nature with him. His eyes
were still the same bright golden hazel, but their expression was keen
and alert, and commanding. She fancied they could look as hard as those
features more susceptible to modeling.
IV
"Smoke if you like."
"Thanks. I don't want to smoke."
Finally when Alexina was gripping the arms of the chair he began to speak.
"I feel rather an ass. I hardly know how to begin.
Pages:
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409