"I've got forty pounds a year."
"Officer's daughter's pension?"
"Yes." Alexandra looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"I'm one myself. Officer's daughters can't do much when they're left
stranded. They teach if they're ugly and sensible enough, and they go
on the stage if they're sufficiently pretty and foolish. How long have
you been at it?"
"Three months."
"And how long in an engagement?"
"I rehearsed for three weeks at the Pall Mall in the chorus.... I
wasn't wanted."
"I don't wonder. I can't quite see a girl like you in the Pall Mall
chorus. You must have had rather an unpleasant time of it there. Were
you worried by men? Before I married I used to wear a wedding ring. In
my innocence, I thought it would be something of a protection, but it
had quite a contrary effect." She gave Alexandra a sympathetic look.
"Would you really like to come on tour with me?"
"Mr. Stannard didn't say what you required," said Alexandra. "Perhaps
you won't think I'm experienced enough."
"Well, I want some one to thread ribbons through my underclothes, to
sleep in my room when I see bogies, and play a small part--a servant
flicking chairs. I can't promise that it will increase your theatrical
reputation, but perhaps when you leave me, some minor manager might be
induced to give you a decent part on the strength of your having been in
Mrs. Hugh Lambert's company. You'll go about with me. I'll pay all
hotel expenses and give you thirty shillings a week. If you're hard up
for clothes, say so. I've always got a lot more than I want, and as I
send them to the Theatrical Ladies' Guild you needn't feel under any
obligation about taking them. I hope you'll decide to come. I should
like you to. You won't be overworked and I'll treat you decently. I'm
not a cat."
"I'd love to come if you'll have me."
"Well, we'll consider it arranged then. Stannard will see to the
contract. The tour is for three months. I leave town in about a
fortnight, but you might as well come and stop here in the meantime. We
shall get to know each other and rub corners off. Would you care to?
Then come back to-night, somewhere about six. You can help me with my
shopping and packing. I'll keep you busy!" She held out a thin
artistic hand.
There was no maid in the hall, so Alexandra opened the door to let
herself out. A man stood on the steps, about to ring the bell. He was
thirty or so, of an aristocratic type. They both hesitated for a
moment. Then he asked:
"Can you tell me if Mrs. Lambert is in?"
"Yes--I think so," she said.
"Would you mind telling her I'd like to take her to lunch. I'll wait if
she isn't down yet."
"Yes, certainly," said Alexandra. It struck her that he seemed to be
aware of the late hours she kept. It argued intimacy. "What name shall
I say?"
"Oh--Chalfont."
She went upstairs again, knocked at the door, and found Mrs. Lambert
with the morning's papers on the bed. She was reading of her husband's
projected departure for America with his successful repertoire. There
were tears in her eyes.
"I shall have to take to glasses," she said, looking up. "I can't read
without weeping. What is it?"
"Mr. Chalfont is downstairs. He wants to know if you will lunch with
him."
"Please tell Lord Chalfont," said Mrs. Lambert in a low voice, "that
it's the anniversary of my separation from my husband, and that I'm
lunching on my heart. But he can come to dinner to-night if he likes.
Ask him to put you in a taxi."
She returned to the newspapers.