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The monumental animal had apparently stopped to investigate an Egyptian palm tree which happened to grow near the spot usually occupied by Marguerite's cottage. The tenor had his hands in his pockets, his hat was rather on the back of his head, and he looked extremely bored. So did Schreiermeyer when Logotheti sat down beside him.
Yesterday she might still have hesitated about keeping the engagement she had signed with Schreiermeyer; but between yesterday and today there was her first rehearsal, there was the echo of that little round of real applause from fellow-artists, there was the sound of her own voice, high and true, singing 'Anges pures'; and there was the smell of the stage, with its indescribable attraction.
'I have left the stage, she said, very quietly. 'Left the stage? For good? Margaret was amazed. 'Yes. I was not going to have any farewells or last appearances. Those things are only done to make money. Schreiermeyer was very nice about it. He agreed to cancel the rest of my engagements in a friendly way. 'But why? Why have you done it? asked Margaret, still bewildered by the news.
They came most often after some great emotion in the theatre, when the sight of the painted mask in the glass shocked and disgusted her as it did to-night; when the contrasts of life were almost more than she could bear, when her sensibilities awoke again, when the fastidiousness of the delicately nurtured girl revolted under the rough familiarity of such a comrade as Stromboli, and rebelled against the sordid cynicism of Schreiermeyer.
'None whatever, Margaret answered, 'except that it is bad manners to open other people's telegrams. 'Oh, that! The maid had opened it with water, and was reading when I came. So I read too! You shall find it all well sealed again, have no fear! They all do so. 'Pleasant journey, said Schreiermeyer abruptly. 'I'm going ashore. I'll see you in Paris in three weeks.
'Do you not know that the English drink tea before dinner to give themselves an appetite? she asked. 'It is because they drink tea that they eat so much. 'All the more, answered Stromboli. 'Do you not see that I am fat? Why should I eat more? Am I to turn into a monument of Victor Emanuel? 'You eat too much bread, said Schreiermeyer in a resentful tone.
'Proverbs, returned Margaret, 'are what Schreiermeyer calls stupid stuff. Fancy marrying that monster! 'Yes, assented Logotheti, 'fancy! Three weeks later, when the days were lengthening quickly and London was beginning to show its better side to the cross-grained people who abuse its climate, the gas was lighted again in the dingy rooms in Hare Court.
Perhaps Schreiermeyer paid to have it put in. 'Then I never wish to see him, Margaret, never! Do you understand! I think I shall bring an action against him. At all events I shall take legal advice. This cannot be allowed to go uncontradicted. If I were you, I would sit down and write to the paper this very minute, and tell the editor that you are a respectable English girl. You are, I'm sure!
You'll have two columns and a picture to-morrow. Schreiermeyer rarely took the trouble to say good-morning or good-night, and Cordova heard the door shut after him as he went out. 'Lock it, she said to her maid. 'I'm sure that madman is about the theatre again. The maid obeyed with alacrity.
A faint ray of Roman civilisation had reached him through generations of slaves and serfs and shepherds. But no such traditions of forgotten delicacy disturbed the manners of Schreiermeyer. The glass from which he had drunk was good enough for any primadonna in his company, and it was silly for any of them to give themselves airs.
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