DOI Artikel:
Cross, Victoria: Theodora: a fragment
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21805#0188
Theodora
184
her hat, put it on very much to one side, amongst her black hair,
with evident care lest one of those silken inflected waves should be
disturbed ; and then afFecting an undulating gait, she walked over
to the fire.
“ How do you like me in Eastern dress, Helen ? ” she said,
addressing her sister, for whom Digby was deciphering some old
coins. Digby and I confessed afterwards to each other the
impulse that moved us both to suggest it was not at all complete
without the trousers. I did offer her a cigarette, to enhance
the effect.
cc Quite passable, really,” said Mrs. Long, leaning back and
surveying her languidly.
Theodora took the cigarette with a laugh, lighted and smoked
it, and it was then, as she leant against the mantel-piece with her
eyes full of laughter, a glow on her pale skin, and an indolent
relaxation in the long, supple figure, that I first said, or rather an
involuntary, unrecognised voice within me said, K It is no good ;
whatever happens I must have you.”
cc Do you know that it is past six, Theo ? ” said Mrs. Long.
“ You will let me give you a cup of tea before you go ? ” I said.
“ Tea ! ” repeated Theodora. “I thought you were going to
say haschisch or opium, at the least, after such an Indian
afternoon.”
“I have both,” I answered, “ would you like some ? ” thinking,
cc By Jove, I should like to see you after the haschisch.”
“ No,” replied Theodora, “I make it a rule not to get
intoxicated in public.”
When the women rose to go, Theodora, to my regret, divested
herseif of the zouave without my aid, and declined it also for
putting on her own cloak. As they stood drawing on their gloves
I asked if they thought there was anything worthy of their
acceptance
184
her hat, put it on very much to one side, amongst her black hair,
with evident care lest one of those silken inflected waves should be
disturbed ; and then afFecting an undulating gait, she walked over
to the fire.
“ How do you like me in Eastern dress, Helen ? ” she said,
addressing her sister, for whom Digby was deciphering some old
coins. Digby and I confessed afterwards to each other the
impulse that moved us both to suggest it was not at all complete
without the trousers. I did offer her a cigarette, to enhance
the effect.
cc Quite passable, really,” said Mrs. Long, leaning back and
surveying her languidly.
Theodora took the cigarette with a laugh, lighted and smoked
it, and it was then, as she leant against the mantel-piece with her
eyes full of laughter, a glow on her pale skin, and an indolent
relaxation in the long, supple figure, that I first said, or rather an
involuntary, unrecognised voice within me said, K It is no good ;
whatever happens I must have you.”
cc Do you know that it is past six, Theo ? ” said Mrs. Long.
“ You will let me give you a cup of tea before you go ? ” I said.
“ Tea ! ” repeated Theodora. “I thought you were going to
say haschisch or opium, at the least, after such an Indian
afternoon.”
“I have both,” I answered, “ would you like some ? ” thinking,
cc By Jove, I should like to see you after the haschisch.”
“ No,” replied Theodora, “I make it a rule not to get
intoxicated in public.”
When the women rose to go, Theodora, to my regret, divested
herseif of the zouave without my aid, and declined it also for
putting on her own cloak. As they stood drawing on their gloves
I asked if they thought there was anything worthy of their
acceptance