Любовник леди Чаттерлей

           AndsheskilfullybehavedsothatSirAlexandershouldthinkthathewaslordandmonarchofthewholecaboosh,withhisstout,would-be-genialpaunch,andhisutterlyboringjokes,hishumourosity,asHildacalledit.

           SirMalcolmwaspainting.Yes,hestillwoulddoaVenetianlagoonscape,nowandthen,incontrasttohisScottishlandscapes.Sointhemorninghewasrowedoffwithahugecanvas,tohis’site’.Alittlelater,LadyCooperwouldherowedoffintotheheartofthecity,withsketching-blockandcolours.Shewasaninveteratewatercolourpainter,andthehousewasfullofrose-colouredpalaces,darkcanals,swayingbridges,medievalfacades,andsoon.AlittlelatertheGuthries,theprince,thecountess,SirAlexander,andsometimesMrLind,thechaplain,wouldgoofftotheLido,wheretheywouldbathe;cominghometoalatelunchathalfpastone.

           Thehouse-party,asahouse-party,wasdistinctlyboring.Butthisdidnottroublethesisters.Theywereoutallthetime.Theirfathertookthemtotheexhibition,milesandmilesofwearypaintings.HetookthemtoallthecroniesofhisintheVillaLucchese,hesatwiththemonwarmeveningsinthepiazza,havinggotatableatFlorian’s:hetookthemtothetheatre,totheGoldoniplays.Therewereilluminatedwater-fetes,thereweredances.Thiswasaholiday-placeofallholiday-places.TheLido,withitsacresofsun-pinkedorpyjamaedbodies,waslikeastrandwithanendlessheapofsealscomeupformating.