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LXXV

ext day Philip was in a good temper. He was very anx-
Nious not to bore Mildred with too much of his society,
and so had arranged that he should not see her till dinner-
time. She was ready when he fetched her, and he chaffed her
for her unwonted punctuality. She was wearing a new dress
he had given her. He remarked on its smartness.
‘It’ll have to go back and be altered,’ she said. ‘The skirt
hangs all wrong.’
‘You’ll have to make the dressmaker hurry up if you want
to take it to Paris with you.’
‘It’ll be ready in time for that.’
‘Only three more whole days. We’ll go over by the eleven
o’clock, shall we?’
‘If you like.’
He would have her for nearly a month entirely to himself.
His eyes rested on her with hungry adoration. He was able
to laugh a little at his own passion.
‘I wonder what it is I see in you,’ he smiled.
‘That’s a nice thing to say,’ she answered.
Her body was so thin that one could almost see her skel-
eton. Her chest was as flat as a boy’s. Her mouth, with its
narrow pale lips, was ugly, and her skin was faintly green.
‘I shall give you Blaud’s Pills in quantities when we’re
away,’ said Philip, laughing. ‘I’m going to bring you back