Театр

           "Idon’twantanythingtoeatunlessyoudo,"hesaid."I’lljusthaveawhiskyandsodaandgotobed.I’vegotaveryheavydaytomorrowattheoffice."

           "Allright.Bringituptothedrawing-room.I’llgoandturnonthelights:"

           Whenhecameupshewasdoingherfaceinfrontofamirrorandshecontinuedtillhehadpouredoutthewhiskyandsatdown.Thensheturnedround.Helookedveryyoung,andincrediblycharming,inhisbeautifulclothes,sittingthereinthebigarmchair,andallthebitternessshehadfeltthatevening,allthedevouringjealousyofthelastfewdays,weredissipatedonasuddenbytheintensityofherpassion.Shesatdownonthearmofhischairandcaressinglypassedherhandoverhishair.Hedrewbackwithanangrygesture.

           "Don’tdothat,"hesaid."Idohatehavingmyhairmussedabout."

           Itwaslikeaknifeinherheart.Hehadneverspokentoherinthattonebefore.Butshelaughedlightlyandgettinguptookthewhiskyhehadpouredoutforherandsatdowninachairoppositehim.Themovementhehadmade,thewordshehadspoken,wereinstinctiveandhewasatrifleabashed.Heavoidedherglanceandhisfaceoncemoreboreasulkylook.Themomentwasdecisive.Forawhiletheyweresilent.Julia’sheartbeatpainfully,butatlastsheforcedherselftospeak.

           "Tellme,"shesaid,smiling,"haveyoubeentobedwithAviceCrichton?"

           "Ofcoursenot,"hecried.

           "Whynot?She’spretty."

           "She’snotthatsortofgirl.Irespecther."

           Julialetnoneofherfeelingsappearonherface.