Chapter 25

           Julialayawakenextmorningforsometimebeforesherangherbell.Shethought.Whenshereflectedonheradventureofthepreviousnightshecouldnotbutbepleasedthatshehadshownsomuchpresenceofmind.Itwashardlytruetosaythatshehadsnatchedvictoryfromdefeat,butlookinguponitasastrategicretreatherconducthadbeenmasterly.Shewasnotwithstandingillatease.TheremightbeyetanotherexplanationforCharles’ssingularbehaviour.Itwaspossiblethathedidnotdesireherbecauseshewasnotdesirable.Thenotionhadcrossedhermindinthenight,andthoughshehadatoncedismisseditashighlyimprobable,therewasnodenyingit,atthathourofthemorningithadanastylook.Sherang.Asarule,sinceMichaeloftencameinwhileJuliahadbreakfast,Eviewhenshehaddrawnthecurtainshandedheramirrorandacomb,herpowderandlipstick.Onthisoccasion,insteadofrunningthecombrapidlythroughherhairandgivingherfaceaperfunctorydabwiththepuff,Juliatooksometrouble.Shepaintedherlipswithcareandputonsomerouge;shearrangedherhair.

           "Speakingwithoutpassionorprejudice,"shesaid,stilllookingatherselfintheglass,whenEvieplacedthebreakfasttrayonherbed,"wouldyousayIwasbywayofbeingagood-lookingwoman,Evie?"

           "ImustknowwhatI’mlettingmyselfinforbeforeansweringthatquestion."

           "Youoldbitch,"saidJulia.

           "You’renobeauty,youknow."

           "Nogreatactresseverhasbeen."