She wore
a stiffish fawn-coloured dress that seemed to be cut a little too tight
round her substantial hips, for it quite neglected to embrace her knees.
She had on no hat, no gloves, no ornaments, except the rings on her
fingers, and a little jewelled watch in a leather bracelet on her wrist.
There was, indeed, about her whole figure an air of almost professional
escape from finery.
Stretching out a well-shaped but not small hand, she said:
"I most heartily apologize to you, Mr. Courtier."
"Not at all."
"I do hope you're comfortable. Have they given you everything you want?"
"More than everything."
"It really was disgraceful! However it's brought us the pleasure of
making your acquaintance. I've read your book, of course."
To Courtier it seemed that on this lady's face had come a look which
seemed to say: Yes, very clever and amusing, quite enjoyable! But the
ideas----What? You know very well they won't do--in fact they mustn't
do!
"That's very nice of you."
But into Lady Valleys' answer, "I don't agree with it a bit, you know!"
there had crept a touch of asperity, as though she knew that he had
smiled inside. "What we want preached in these days are the warlike
virtues--especially by a warrior."
"Believe me, Lady Valleys, the warlike virtues are best left to men of
more virgin imagination.
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