Part 28 (1/2)
It was an uncomplimentary thought, and he tried to put it from him as singularly unsuitable, and indeed almost outrageous at this moment, but it would not go. It defied him and stuck firmly in his mind. In his opinion Adela Sellingworth was the most truly distinguished woman in London. But that she should attract a young man, almost indeed a boy, in _that_ way! It did really seem utterly impossible.
In answer to his inquiry, Lady Sellingworth acknowledged that she had not been feeling very well during the last two days.
”Perhaps you have been doing too much?” he suggested.
The mocking look came into her eyes.
”But what do I ever do now?” she said. ”I lie quietly on my shelf. That surely can't be very exhausting.”
”No one would ever connect you with being laid on the shelf,” said Braybrooke; ”your personality forbids that. Besides, I hear that you have been having quite a lively time.”
He paused--it was his conception of the pause dramatic--then added:
”At the foot of a volcano!”
”Ah! you have heard about Vesuvius!”
”Yes.”
”What a marvellous gatherer of news you are! Beryl Van Tuyn?”
”No. I happened to meet young Craven at the St. James's Club, and he told me of your excursion into Bohemia.”
”Bohemia!” she said. ”I haven't set foot in that entertaining country since I gave up my apartment in Paris. Soho is beyond its borders. But I confess to Soho. Beryl persuaded me, and I really quite enjoyed it. The coffee was delicious, and the hairdressers put their souls into their guitars. But I doubt if I shall go there again.”
”It tired you? The atmosphere in those places is so mephitic.”
”Oh, I didn't mind that. Besides, we blew it away by walking home, at least part of the way home.”
”Down Shaftesbury Avenue? That was surely rather dangerous.”
”Dangerous! Why?”
”The sudden change from stuffiness to cold and damp. Craven spoke of Toscanas. And those cheap restaurants are so very small and badly ventilated.”
”Oh, we enjoyed our walk.”
”That's good. Craven was quite enthusiastic about the evening.”
Again the pause dramatic!
”He's a nice boy. I hope you liked him. I feel a little responsible--”
”Do you? But why?”
”Because I ventured to introduce him to you.”
”Oh, don't worry. I a.s.sure you I like him very much.”
Her tone was very casual, but quite cordial.