The MagicianMaugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
General
The Magician
Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset)
Magic -- Fiction; Paris (France) -- Fiction
“Yes, I did,” answered Margaret simply. “I told him I had no taste at
all, but that you were responsible for everything.”
“That was the least you could do,” answered Miss Boyd.
But her heart went out to Margaret, for the trivial incident showed
once more how frank the girl was. She knew quite well that few of her
friends, though many took advantage of her matchless taste, would have
made such an admission to the lover who congratulated them on the
success of their costume.
There was a knock at the door, and Arthur came in.
“This is the fairy prince,” said Margaret, bringing him to her friend.
“I’m glad to see you in order to thank you for all you’ve done for
Margaret,” he smiled, taking the proffered hand.
Susie remarked that he looked upon her with friendliness, but with a
certain vacancy, as though too much engrossed in his beloved really to
notice anyone else; and she wondered how to make conversation with a
man who was so manifestly absorbed. While Margaret busied herself with
the preparations for tea, his eyes followed her movements with a
doglike, touching devotion. They travelled from her smiling mouth to
her deft hands. It seemed that he had never seen anything so ravishing
as the way in which she bent over the kettle. Margaret felt that he was
looking at her, and turned round. Their eyes met, and they stood for an
appreciable time gazing at one another silently.
“Don’t be a pair of perfect idiots,” cried Susie gaily. “I’m dying for
my tea.”
The lovers laughed and reddened. It struck Arthur that he should say
something polite.
“I hope you’ll show me your sketches afterwards, Miss Boyd. Margaret
says they’re awfully good.”
“You really needn’t think it in the least necessary to show any
interest in me,” she replied bluntly.
“She draws the most delightful caricatures,” said Margaret. “I’ll bring
you a horror of yourself, which she’ll do the moment you leave us.”
“Don’t be so spiteful, Margaret.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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