Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-14
CHAPTER, XII.

If the success of the dinner party and
the ball could have Modified Cammar-
leigh he would certainly have been con-
ciliated The ambassador-one of the
three men in Europe who knew what
good dinner was, and who always had
the absolute comparison to hand-de-
clared that it was a romance in A minor.
Anthony took Lady Coleraine in.
1--WE have not met before, Mr.. Brooke.
have we?"
Neither of us is a personality which
the other could have forgotten
Lady Coleraine, who had asked her
question as a mere commonplace. looked
at him with an accession of interest His
answer sounded as if he were competent
to amuse her, and young man who is
amusing is a rarity. AS rule by the
time men are amusing they are I'M
pleasant to look at, and Lady Coleraine
was fastidous. Men who talked we'll ate
too well and drank too well. Lady Cole
raine. as is the case with most beautiful
women, liked good-looking men when
they were tolerabie. She was wondering
who Anthony could be. There were plenty
of Brookes. both with an "e' and with
out. 1t was obvious that he could not be
a nobody: nobody in such a small and
distinguished gathering would have been
the unexpected.
able barrier which a woman of breeding
and distinction manages to preserve be-
tween herself and a man she is bound to
accept without having seen his creden-
tails. She can devote herself to him
through a whole dinner fiatter him, make
him feel that he is doing extremely we'll
and showing himself at his best. and yet
she will rise from the table and accept
the glove which he picks up for her. and
Enthusiastically convey the impression that
81 H., Il .l,
thony was perfectly aware that Lady
COeraine was wondering who he could
be. AS matter of fact, since he gave
her his arm she had tried to fit him into
half a dozen different frames. He did not
suggest a young rising politician. for
even with the most trivial and youthful
member of the house OF commons there
is generally d slightly repellant gravity
of demeanor. something of the moral
SertivenesS which makes most clergymen
uncongenial They are afraid of their
own humor, and 1t is rs well they. should
be, for an aspiring young politician with
a sense of humor is almost as much
handicapped as pedestrian with a Grip
pied toe Neither did Anthony suggest
diplomacy. and a certain airiness and ir-
responsibility which seemed to preclude
this suggestion prevented her from being
able to suit him to any of the professions
to which she was accustomed. There was
nothing of the sportsman. and he was
certainly not soldier. for he was unique.
and however individual Il soldier may be
he is always soldier first and an indi-
vidual afterward. Perhaps with the acute
instinct of a woman who was nothing if
she was not alert she was puzzled by an
incipient defiance about the corners of
Anthony's mouth. 1t is question
whether the attitude toward life of most
men is not marked on their faces in some
hieroglyphic which those who run may
read. Anthony satisfied her curiosity
when the dinner was half over.
Il am Lord Cammarieighs secretary
and it has always been my ambition to
take the most beautiful woman in Lon
don in to dinner. / suppose that sounds
very impertinent. but it's true"
Il See" answered Lady Coleraine. that
you have distinct sense of dramatic eff
feet. Each of your remarks so far has
been made with a view to impressing me-
and you have succeeded
THANK you'll can hear the house thun-
dering with applause said Anthony, the
actor in him coming out. What shall
we talk about-or shall we drift?
Perhaps you had better ask me the
usual questions said Lady Coleraine
1--WE can improvise upon them
You are right Subject-matter is moth
ing. Who knows. we may even develop
something worth hearing on the subject
of lady novelists.
The prime minister heard the begin
nings of a conversation with flavor. and
looked across at Anthony and Lady Cole
raine enviously. The ambaSsadress was
not amusing, and since he had been in
Office he had met her everywhere.
What are the usual queStions?" asked
Anthony
They concern literature. the drama and
politics. The last we can't discuss
obviously, murmured Anthony. And
the second we won't discuss" he con-
tinued.
why not
II don't like the theater-it has ceased
10 amuse me.
Really. you are very young to be SO
emhitt cred.
''Oh. I'm not bitter. although ! may be
spitaful. Our actors are not impressive
Most of our leading actresses would make
better low comedians, and most of our
leading actors behave like leading ladies'
Beauty which suggests an oleograph and
a voice like a brass band. seem to be the
only necessary stock in trade for star
actress.
II often wonder whether artisticalIy
we have not gone round in circle
Don't said Anthony. nervously. I'VE
might get back 10 the mahogany period
Although, / don't know he added. re-
fiectively. ''The movement which was
supposed 10 better ii was worsa-ba mboo
and peacocks' feathers. Utility is the
basis of true art.
lis that why everything which used to