"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.