Her assumptions proved correct. Hardly had she seated herself when a
gentleman at an adjoining table spoke rather loudly, “Well, if it
isn’t Mademoiselle Sana!”
Sana turned her head and recognized the speaker as a Mr. Johns, an
Englishman and a friend of the head of the Companie le Developpement du
Sahara. His companion was an elderly lady of distinct refinement and
apparent wealth. In response to his polite bow Sana smiled back “Bon
soir!”
Mr. Johns rose and came over to her table with an invitation to join
his companion and himself at dinner. To this Sana gladly consented.
Mr. Johns introduced his companion as the Princess Cassandra, adding in
way of explanation, “Left Russia in time to escape the Soviets.”
The Princess was sipping black coffee, evidently preparing to keep
awake the coming night. This she made clear to Sana by saying that they
had the entire night before them and intended to wind up at Maxim’s.
When they invited her to go with them Sana, pretending fatigue, begged
to be excused. But her pleas were useless; she must go, so she finally
agreed. Her first night again in gay Paris!
Finished dining, they left the Café and went to the Thêátre Chatelet to
see the Ballet. The performance ended, the party went slumming through
the Latin quartier, eventually finding themselves, about three in the
morning, at Maxim’s. This was the place the Princess had been so
anxious to see. Sana had been there before and knew what to expect in
the way of dancing, and feminine display.
But all parties must come to an end, so the rosy fingered Dawn, tinting
the east, finds Sana saying goodbye to her friends, a thoroughly tired
but happy girl.
Sana soon renewed the acquaintance of many old friends, but her stay
in Paris was short. Too short perhaps to suit the many admirers of the
lovely girl! The Princess Cassandra had been attracted to the girl from
the start and after much urging she secured Sana’s consent to accompany
her as a companion on a tour of the continent.
Together they visited the great cities and famous resorts. Delighted as
she was with the companionship of the girl, Cassandra gained in another
direction. Sana proved a great attraction to the younger aristocrats of
the places they visited. And it is easily seen that with such a host
of admirers at Sana’s beck and call, it was hardly possible that some
of them should not fall to the lot of the Princess, even though it be
considered charity on the part of the man.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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