Театр

           Shedidnotwanttobealone,sheknewthateventhoughshewenthomeafterluncheonshewouldnotsleep,sosheaskedCharlesifhewouldtakehertotheNationalGallery.Shecouldgivehimnogreaterpleasure;helikedtotalkaboutpicturesandhetalkedofthemwell.IttookthembacktotheolddayswhenshehadmadeherfirstsuccessinLondonandtheyusedtospendsomanyafternoonstogether,walkingintheparkorsaunteringthroughmuseums.Thedayafterthatshehadamatineeandthenextaluncheon-party,butwhentheyseparatedtheyarrangedtolunchagaintogetherontheFridayandgototheTate.

           AfewdayslaterMichaeltoldherhehadengagedAviceCrichton.

           "Shehasthelooksforthepart,there’snodoubtaboutthat,andshe’llbeagoodcontrasttoyou.I’mtakingheractingonthestrengthofwhatyousaid."

           NextmorningtheyrangthroughfromthebasementtosaythatMr.Fennellwasonthetelephone.Itseemedtoherthatherheartstoppedbeating.

           "Puthimthrough."

           "Julia,Iwantedtotellyou,MichaelhasengagedAvice."

           "Yes,Iknow."

           "Hetoldherhewasengagingheronwhatyou’dtoldhim.Youareabrick."

           Julia,herheartnowbeatingnineteentothedozen,madeanefforttocontrolhervoice.

           "Oh,don’ttalksuchnonsense,"sheansweredgaily."Itoldyouitwouldbeallright."

           "I’mawfullygladit’sfixedup.She’sacceptedthepartonwhatI’vetoldheraboutit.Ordinarilyshewon’ttakeanythingunlessshe’sreadtheplay."

           ItwasjustaswellhecouldnotseeJulia’sfacewhensheheardhimsaythis.