The piano introduction to the Cavatina drowned the comments on the
guest’s playing and the family relaxed once more into listening.
“Pink anemones, eh,” suggested Miriam softly.
Harriett drew in her chin and nodded approvingly.
“Pink anemones,” sighed Miriam, and turned to watch Margaret Wedderburn
standing in her full-skirted white dress on the hearthrug in a radiance
of red and golden light. Her heavily waving fair hair fell back towards
its tightly braided basket of plaits from a face as serene as death.
From between furry eyelashes her eyes looked steadfastly out, robbed of
their everyday sentimental expression.
As she gazed at the broad white forehead, the fine gold down covering
the cheeks and upper lip, and traced the outline of the heavy chin and
firm large mouth and the steady arm that swept out in rich ‘cello-like
notes the devout theme of the lyric, Miriam drifted to an extremity of
happiness.
4
... To-morrow the room would be lit and decked and clear. Amongst the
crowd of guests, he would come across the room, walking in his way....
She smiled to herself. He would come “sloping in” in his way, like a
shadow, not looking at anyone. His strange friend would be with him.
There would be introductions and greetings. Then he would dance with her
silently and not looking at her, as if they were strangers, and then be
dancing with someone else ... with smiling, mocking, tender brown eyes
and talking and answering and all the time looking about the room. And
then again with her, cool and silent and not looking. And presently she
would tell him about going away to Banbury Park.
5
Perhaps he would look wretched and miserable again as he had done when
they were alone by the piano the Sunday before she went to Germany....
“Play ‘Abide with me,’ Miriam; play ‘Abide with me.’” ...
To-morrow there would be another moment like that. He would say her name
suddenly, as he had done last week at the Babingtons’ dance, very low,
half-turning towards her. She would be ready this time and say his name
and move instead of being turned to stone. Confidently the music assured
her of that moment.
6