John
thought he was going out of his mind. Now, here's the point. Night before
last Olive was at a, ball and who should come up to her and introduce
himself but Gathbroke. He's changed a lot but she recognized him. Well, he
hardly waited to finish the usual amenities before he asked her plump out
if Alex was in Paris, said he was positive he had seen her at that embassy
ball where all the lights went out and they expected a riot. He turned
white when he did it, but he was as direct as chain lightning. He wanted
her address. Of course he got it. Olive was thrilled. It's safe to assume
that he's with Alex at the present moment. At any rate Olive called him up
this morning intending to ask him to dinner, and was told he was out of
town. Now, isn't that romance for you?"
"Rather."
"Twelve years! Fancy a man being faithful all that time. Hadn't got what he
wanted, that's probably why. Have you ever heard Alex speak of him? Think
she'll divorce Mortimer?"
"I asked her the other night why she didn't. She said it was against the
traditions of the family. But--I recall--she said--it seemed to me there
was a curious sort of meaning in her voice--that if she wanted to marry a
man nothing would stop her."
"And it wouldn't. Nothing would stop Alexina if anything started her. The
trouble always was to start her. She's indolent and unsusceptible and
fastidious. But deep and intense--Lord! Mark my words, she saw him at the
Embassy.
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