"The Greeks knew everything and we know nothing. This dress hangs in
such a calm way that one can't be anything but classic in it. Since I've
known the Persephone I've learnt how to live. You must go to the
Hippodrome. But what's all this about your going yachting with the
Adelaide and an extraordinary Cornish genius? What's the matter?"
The last words came out in a suddenly business-like and almost self-made
voice, and Margot's deep eyes, full hitherto of a conscious calm,
supposed to be Greek, abruptly darted questioning fires which might have
sprung from a modern hussy.
"D'you like him so much?" continued Margot, before Charmian had time to
answer.
"You're making a great mistake," said Charmian, with airy dignity. "I
was only surprised to hear that Claude Heath was coming. I didn't know
it. I understood he had refused to come. He always refuses everything.
How did you hear of him?"
"The Adelaide has been talking about him. She says he's a genius who
hates the evil world, and will only know her and your mother, and that
he's going with her and you and Max Elliot to the Greek Isles on one
condition--that nobody else is to be asked and that he is to be
introduced to no one. If it's really the Greek Isles, I think I ought to
be taken. I told the Adelaide so, but she said Claude Heath would rather
die than have a girl like me with him on the yacht."
"So he really has accepted?"
"Evidently. Now you don't look pleased."
"Mr. Heath's Madretta's friend, not mine," said Charmian.
"Really? Then your mother should go to Greece. Why did the Adelaide ask
you?"
"I can't imagine."
"Now, Charmian!"
"I assure you, Margot, I was amazed at being asked."
"But you accepted."
"I wanted to get out of this weather."
"With a Cornish genius?"
"Mr. Heath only looks at middle-aged married women," said Charmian. "I
think he has a horror of girls. He and I don't get on at all."
"What is he like?"
"Plain and gaunt."
"Is his music really so wonderful?"
"I've never heard a note of it."
"Hasn't your mother?"
With difficulty Charmian kept a displeased look out of her face as she
answered sweetly:
"Once, I think. But she has said very little about it."
At this moment the tragic mask of Miss Deans was seen in a doorway, and
Margot got up quickly.
"There's that darling Millie from Paris!"
"Who? Where?"
"Millie Deans, the only real actress on the operatic stage. Until you've
seen her in _Crepe de Chine_ you've never seen opera as it ought to be.
Millie! Millie!"
She went rather aggressively toward Miss Deans, forgetting her calm gown
for the moment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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