"You have had immense experience of love Coralie, haven't you?"

She shrugged her shoulders--.

"I am not sure that it has been love--."

"Neither am I."

"They say that you have given millions to the little demi-mondaine

Suzette la Blonde----and that you are crazy about her, Nicholas--Did I

see her on the stairs just now?"-I frowned--. She saw in a moment it was not the right line--. "For that!

it is nothing, Nicholas--they are very attractive, those ladies--one

understands--but--your book and your secretary?--hein?--"

I lit a cigarette with supreme calm, and did not answer, so that she was

obliged to go on--.

"Her face is pretty in spite of those glasses, Nicholas--and one saw

that she walked well as she went on."

"May not a secretary have a decent appearance then?"

"When they have they do not remain secretaries long."

"You had better ask Miss Sharp if she means to stay when next you chance

upon her then--I don't exchange much conversation with her myself."

There is no exact English word which would describe Coralie's face--She

was longing to believe me--but felt she could not--quite--! She knew it

was foolish to bait me, and yet the female in her was too strong for

any common sense to win--Her personality had to express herself just as

strongly about her jealousy of my secretary, as mine had to express

itself about not telling Maurice, Alathea's name,--in both cases we cut

off our noses to spite our faces. I was aware of my folly, I do not know

if Coralie was aware of hers. Her exasperation so increased in a few

moments that she could not control herself--and she spoke right out--.

"When we have all been so kind to you, Nicholas, it is too bad for you

to waste your time upon that--!"

I became stern, then, as I had earlier become with Suzette, and made

Coralie understand that I would have no interference from anyone. I

frightened her--and presently she left me more attracted than she has

ever been--. As I said before, women are amazing creatures.




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