She spoke
of Venice, and they heard only the famished voice of the mosquito
uttering its midnight grace before meat.
Which was the real Venice?
Which was the real woman?
CHAPTER V
ON the following day, which was warm and damp; Lady Holme drove to Bond
Street, bought two new hats, had her hand read by a palmist who called
himself "Cupido," looked in at a ladies' club and then went to Mrs.
Wolfstein, with whom she was engaged to lunch. She did not wish to lunch
with her. She disliked Mrs. Wolfstein as she disliked most women, but she
had not been able to get out of it. Mrs. Wolfstein had overheard her
saying to Lady Cardington that she had nothing particular to do till four
that day, and had immediately "pinned her." Besides disliking Mrs.
Wolfstein, Lady Holme was a little afraid of her. Like many clever
Jewesses, Mrs. Wolfstein was a ruthless conversationalist, and enjoyed
showing off at the expense of others, even when they were her guests. She
had sometimes made Lady Holme feel stupid, even feel as if a good talker
might occasionally gain, and keep, an advantage over a lovely woman who
did not talk so well. The sensation passed, but the fact that it had ever
been did not draw Lady Holme any closer to the woman with the
"pawnbroking expression" in her eyes.
Mrs. Wolfstein was not in the most exclusive set in London, but she was
in the smart set, which is no longer exclusive although it sometimes
hopes it is.
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