Театр

           ShedecidedtosaynothingtoMichaeltillitwasnecessary,andshewasgladshehadnot,forinduecourseitappearedthatthethreatshadbeenmadeonlytoextractmoresubstantialalimonyfromtheinnocenthusband.JuliamanagedCharleswithwonderfulskill.ItwasunderstoodbetweenthemthathergreatloveforMichaelmadeanycloserelationbetweenthemoutofthequestion,butsofarastherestwasconcernedhewaseverythingtoher,herfriend,heradviser,herconfidant,themanshecouldrelyoninanyemergencyorgotoforcomfortinanydisappointment.ItwasalittlemoredifficultwhenCharles,withhisfinesensitiveness,sawthatshewasnolongerinlovewithMichael.ThenJuliahadtoexerciseagreatdealoftact.Itwasnotthatshehadanyscruplesaboutbeinghismistress;ifhehadbeenanactorwholovedhersomuchandhadlovedhersolongshewouldnothavemindedpoppingintobedwithhimoutofsheergoodnature;butshejustdidnotfancyhim.Shewasveryfondofhim,buthewassoelegant,sowell-bred,socultured,shecouldnotthinkofhimasalover.Itwouldbelikegoingtobedwithanobjetd’art.Andhisloveofartfilledherwithafaintderision;afterallshewasacreator,whenallwassaidanddonehewasonlythepublic.Hewishedhertoelopewithhim.TheywouldbuyavillaatSorrentoonthebayofNaples,withalargegarden,andtheywouldhaveaschoonersothattheycouldspendlongdaysonthebeautifulwine-colouredsea.Loveandbeautyandart;theworldwelllost.

           "Thedamnedfool,"shethought.