Sealed Lips — page 79: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

SEALED LIPS, ; 71 “What a pity,” say the artists, “that she under- takes painting, music, and prose! She is a perfect lady to the tips of her fingers.” “Poor baroness,” sigh the worldly ones, “her house is like a Montmartre beer saloon. But she has the right to be original; she is an artist. One sees such amusing people in her drawing-room.” This is what she wrote to Godefroid: “DEAR MASTER: You have always refused my invi- tations. Do not refuse this, for | have a surprise for my guests. Have no fear; you shall not be asked to play; you will not be asked to assist any un- known star. Youcan leave at midnight. I add, to make you decide the question, that you will not hear one word of my music. There will be but few guests. You will find me, Thursday evening, be- tween two lamps in my morning gown. If you do not come, I shall believe that your success at the Opera has made you feel that we common mortals are beneath you.” A postscript said: “T anticipate also seeing tae young gentleman” (here there was an erasure), “the celebrated trav- eler of whom everybody is talking, and who is with you like a shadow. Present this shadow to me; everybody says that he is very agreeable to see and hear.” Patrice could not help laughing at the postscript. “Poor woman! She has been unable to learn the name of this celebrated traveler of whom every- body is talking. Shall you go?” “Would you like tor”