was in full blast when the maid ushered in Lady Simeon Brunton. The ex-ambassadress swept across Julia's drawing-room like a well-bred monsoon. Her Paquin confection--frailest gossamer black with gold underskirt--rustled condescension. The ospreys in her Lewis hat waved approving patronage to art and letters. "You see that I took you at your word, Mrs. Cavendish." The hostess, who had been introduced to Lady Simeon (and promptly forgotten her) at a Foreign Office reception some weeks previously, said the appropriate word and made the appropriate presentations. "But this isn't a mere social call." explained the new-comer. "This is a call with a purpose." She accepted some tea; and subsided onto the sofa. Paul Flower judged her a Philistine (i.e., a woman who did not regard Paul Flower as the last living exponent of English literature), but decided her attractive. He approved her age, about forty-five; her eyes, which were darkly vivacious; her figure, which was inclined to the abundant; her hair and complexion, which were both soigné, the one matching her eyes and the other her pearls. Jack Coole, the two Binneys, and Robert Backwell, his prominent teeth parted in a valedictory grin, departed. Flower, Fancourt, and Olphert continued to talk shop. "A call with a purpose sounds very serious," prompted Julia. Lady Simeon smiled diplomatically. "The fact is, dear Mrs. Cavendish, that I want you to dine with us. Next Thursday. You will, won't you? Although it is such a short invitation. We shall be quite a small party--not more than twenty at the outside. And will you bring your son?""My son----" Julia, whose inclination was to decline--for some time now, late nights had wearied her--became visibly more gracious. 

"Yes. My cousin Hermione--poor dear, what a time she's been going through--and all this publicity--so distressing for everybody--says he was simply charming to her during the case. So wise! So calm! So helpful! You must be very proud of your son, Mrs. Cavendish." 

Not for nothing had the heiress of The Raneegunge Jute and Cotton Mills married an ambassador! 

"Ronnie's coming to dinner this evening," said Ronnie's mother. "If he's free on Thursday we shall both be delighted. May I telephone you?" 

Ronnie, who had been watching the polo at Ranelagh, arrived ten minutes late for dinner. 

He came unannounced into the drawing-room; kissed his mother; complimented her on her clothes (she had changed into a dinner-gown in his honor); and inquired about the afternoon. 

 Prev. P 45/403 next