Chapter 24

           OnWednesdaymorningJuliahadherfacemassagedandherhairwaved.Shecouldnotmakeuphermindwhethertowearfordinneradressoffloweredorgandie,veryprettyandspringlikewithitssuggestionofBotticelli’sPrimavera,oroneofwhitesatinbeautifullycuttoshowoffherslimyoungfigure,andvirginal;butwhileshewashavingherbathshedecidedonthewhitesatin:itindicatedratherdelicatelythatthesacrificesheintendedwasinthenatureofanexpiationforherlongingratitudetoMichael.Sheworenojewelsbutastringofpearlsanddiamondbracelet;besidesherwedding-ringonlyonesquare-cutdiamond.Shewouldhavelikedtoputonaslightbrowntan,itlookedopen-air-girlandsuitedher,butreflectingonwhatlaybeforehersherefrained.Shecouldnotverywell,liketheactorwhopaintedhimselfblackallovertoplayOthello,tanherwholebody.Alwaysapunctualwoman,shecamedownstairsasthefrontdoorwasbeingopenedforCharles.Shegreetedhimwithalookintowhichsheputtenderness,aroguishcharmandintimacy.Charlesnowworehisthinninggreyhairratherlong,andwithadvancingyearshisintellectual,distinguishedfeatureshadsaggedalittle;hewasslightlybowedandhisclotheslookedasthoughtheyneededpressing.

           "Strangeworldwelivein,"thoughtJulia."Actorsdotheirdamnedesttolooklikegentlemenandgentlemendoalltheycantolooklikeactors."

           Therewasnodoubtthatshewasmakingapropereffectonhim.Hegavehertheperfectopening.

           "Whyareyoulookingsolovelytonight?"heasked.