"If it is not putting you to sleep" she remarked--"perhaps you would not
object if I walked on and typed what I took down this morning--It seems
a pity to waste this time."
I knew that if I did not let her have her way there might be
difficulties, so I agreed--and said that I would go back to the hotel
and rest upon the sofa in the salon--So the procession started, and as
we took the allée, to bring us to the Reservoirs on the level--I
suddenly caught sight of Coralie and her last favoured one!--both of
whom are supposed to be at Deauville with the rest!
Coralie was exquisitely dressed, Duquesnois in uniform.
I realized that she had seen us, and that she could not avoid coming up
to talk, although that had not been her intention--When one is supposed
to be at Deauville with one's family, and is in reality at Versailles
with one's lover--one does not seek to recognize one's friends!
She came forward with empressement when she found the meeting was
inevitable--.
"Nicholas!" she cooed "--what happiness!"-Then she eyed Miss Sharp mischievously, making a movement as though she
expected me to introduce them--.
But Miss Sharp defeated this by immediately walking on--.
"Tiens!" said Coralie--.
"That is Miss Sharp--my secretary--What are you doing--here Coralie?"
"Perhaps the same as you, cher ami--" and she rippled with
laughter--"Versailles is so tranquil a place!"
I could have slapped her--fortunately Miss Sharp was out of earshot--.
Jean Duquesnois now joined in--he was back from the front for two
days--things were going better--peace would certainly be declared before
Christmas--.
Coralie meanwhile was looking after Miss Sharp with an expression upon
her clever face which only a Frenchwoman is able to put there--It said
as plainly as words, "So this is the reason Nicholas!--Well you have
chosen something very every-day and inexpensive this time!--Men are
certainly crazy in their tastes!"
I pretended not to notice, and so she spoke.
"Why if you can come here cannot you come to Deauville, Nicholas?--there
must be some irresistible attraction stronger than to be with your
friends!"
"Yes--he is an excellent Swedish masseur who is glued to Paris.--Also I
like solitude sometimes--."
"Solitude!" and Coralie glanced at Miss Sharp's rapidly disappearing
figure--. "Hein?"
I would not permit myself to grow angry.
"The book is nearly finished--you can tell the rest--."
"That old book! You were much more entertaining before you commenced it,
Nicholas! Perhaps the idea has come to me why!"