"No," she whispered. "Of course not. I don't like your tie." It seemed
to depress him, that.
She felt elated at the thought that he would see her for the first time
amid surroundings where she would shine. Folk came forward to meet her
with that charming air of protective deference that he had adopted
towards her. He might have been some favoured minister of state kissing
the hand of a youthful Queen. She glanced down the long studio, ending
in its fine window overlooking the park. Some of the most distinguished
men in Paris were there, and the immediate stir of admiration that her
entrance had created was unmistakable. Even the women turned pleased
glances at her; as if willing to recognize in her their representative. A
sense of power came to her that made her feel kind to all the world.
There was no need for her to be clever: to make any effort to attract.
Her presence, her sympathy, her approval seemed to be all that was needed
of her. She had the consciousness that by the mere exercise of her will
she could sway the thoughts and actions of these men: that sovereignty
had been given to her.
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