Among those who bought them were most of
the guests who had been present at the Holmes' dinner-party when Lady
Holme lost her temper and was consoled by Robin Pierce. Robin of course
was in Rome, but Lady Cardington, Lady Manby, Mrs. Wolfstein, Sir Donald,
Mr. Bry took seats. Rupert Carey also bought a ticket. He was not invited
to great houses any more, but on this public occasion no one with a
guinea to spend was unwelcome. To Lady Holme's surprise the day before
the concert Fritz informed her that he was going too.
"You, Fritz!" she exclaimed. "But it's in the afternoon."
"What o' that?"
"You'll be bored to death. You'll go to sleep. Probably you'll snore."
"Not I."
He straddled his legs and looked attentively at the toes of his boots.
Lady Holme wondered why he was going. Had Miss Schley made a point of it?
She longed to know. The cruel curiosity which the angel was ever trying
to beat down rose up in her powerfully.
"I say--"
Her husband was speaking with some hesitation.
"Well?"
"Let's have a squint at the programme, will you?"
"Here it is."
She gave it to him and watched him narrowly as he looked quickly over it.
"Hulloa!" he said.
"What's the matter?"
"Some Imitations," he said. "What's that mean?"
"Didn't you know Miss Schley was a mimic?"
"A mimic--not I! She's an actress."
"Yes--now."
"Now? When was she anythin' else?"
"When she began in America.
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