Chapter 18

           Shehadtomakeuphermindwhattodo.ShewouldleaveVeniceontheSaturdaythathewasleavingWragby:insixdays’time.ThiswouldbringhertoLondonontheMondayfollowing,andshewouldthenseehim.ShewrotetohimtotheLondonaddress,askinghimtosendheralettertoHartland’shotel,andtocallforherontheMondayeveningatseven.

           Insideherselfshewascuriouslyandcomplicatedlyangry,andallherresponseswerenumb.SherefusedtoconfideeveninHilda,andHilda,offendedbyhersteadysilence,hadbecomeratherintimatewithaDutchwoman.Conniehatedtheseratherstiflingintimaciesbetweenwomen,intimacyintowhichHildaalwaysenteredponderously.

           SirMalcolmdecidedtotravelwithConnie,andDuncancouldcomeonwithHilda.Theoldartistalwaysdidhimselfwell:hetookberthsontheOrientExpress,inspiteofConnie’sdislikeoftrainsdeluxe,theatmosphereofvulgardepravitythereisaboardthemnowadays.However,itwouldmakethejourneytoParisshorter.

           SirMalcolmwasalwaysuneasygoingbacktohiswife.Itwashabitcarriedoverfromthefirstwife.Buttherewouldbeahouse-partyforthegrouse,andhewantedtobewellahead.Connie,sunburntandhandsome,satinsilence,forgettingallaboutthelandscape.

           ’Alittledullforyou,goingbacktoWragby,’saidherfather,noticingherglumness.

           ’I’mnotsureIshallgobacktoWragby,’shesaid,withstartlingabruptness,lookingintohiseyeswithherbigblueeyes.Hisbigblueeyestookonthefrightenedlookofamanwhosesocialconscienceisnotquiteclear.