Part 81 (2/2)
”Why?” She made a slight gesture. ”One reads what is printed, I suppose.”
”Written and printed by people who know no more about the matter in question than you and I, mademoiselle,” he remarked, still smiling.
”That is perfectly true. Why is it worth while for anyone to search for truth in these days when everyone is paid to conceal it?”
”Oh,” he said, ”not everyone.”
”No; some lie naturally and without pay,” she admitted indifferently.
”But there are still others. For example, mademoiselle, yourself.”
”I?” She laughed, not troubling to refute the suggestion of her possible truthfulness.
He said:
”This--club--is furnished in excellent taste.”
”Yes; it is quite new.”
”Has it a name?”
”I believe it is called the Cercle Extranationale. Would monsieur also like to know the name of the club cat?”
They both laughed easily, but he could make nothing of her.
”Thank you,” he said; ”and I fear I have interrupted your reading----”
”I have read enough lies; I am quite ready to tell you a few. Shall I?”
”You are most amiable. I have been wondering what the other floors in this building are used for.”
”Private apartments,” she replied smiling, looking him straight in the eyes. ”Now you don't know whether I've told you the truth or not; do you?”
”Of course I know.”
”Which, then?”
”The truth.”
She laughed and indicated a chair; and he seated himself.
”Who is the dark, nice-looking gentleman accompanying you?” she enquired.
”How could you see him at all through your newspaper?”
”I poked a hole, of course.”
”To look at him or at me?”
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