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way in which the French toss about scholarship, or the marvellous
power of assimilation possessed by Judith.
Before we separated she returned to the subject of Carlotta.
Am I to see this young creature? she asked.
That is just as you choose, said I.
Oh! as far as I am concerned, my dear Marcus, I am perfectly
indifferent, replied Judith, assuming the supercilious
expression with which women invariably try to mask inordinate
curiosity.
Then, said I, with a touch of malice, there is no reason why
you should make her acquaintance.
I should be able to see through her tricks and put you on your
guard.
Against what?
She shrugged her shoulders as if it were vain to waste breath on
so obtuse a person.
You had better bring her round some afternoon, she said.
Have I acted wisely in confessing Carlotta to Judith? And why do
I use the word confess? Far from having committed an evil
action, I consider I have exhibited exemplary altruism. Did I
want a young savage from Syria to come and interfere with my
perfectly ordered life? Judith does not realise this. I had a
presentiment of the prejudice she would conceive against the poor
girl, and now it has been verified. I wish I had held my tongue.
As Judith, for some feminine reason known only to herself, has
steadily declined to put her foot inside my house, she might very
well have remained unsuspicious of Carlotta's existence. And why
not? The fact of the girl being my pensioner does not in the
least affect the personality which I bring to Judith. The idea
is absurd. Why wasn't I wise before the event? I might have
spared myself considerable worry.
A letter from my Aunt Jessica enclosing a card for a fancy dress
ball at the Empress Rooms. The preposterous lady!
Do come. It is not right for a young man to lead the life of a
recluse of seventy. Here we are in the height of the London
season, and I am sure you haven't been into ten houses, when a
hundred of the very best are open to you I loathe the term
best houses. The tinsel ineptitude of them! For entertainment
I really would sooner attend a mothers' meeting or listen to the
serious British DramaHave I read so and so's novel? Am I going
to Mrs. Chose's dance? Do I ride in the Park? Do I know young
Thingummy of the Guards, who is going to marry Lady Betty
Something? What do I think of the Academy? As if one could have
any sentiment with regard to the Academy save regret at such

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