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she spent VERY freely. It was really remarkable! Of course,
everybody got fearfully drunk—but in an interesting way,
not like that filthy London crowd. The fact is these were all
people that matter, which makes all the difference. There
was a Roumanian, a fine chap. He got completely drunk,
and climbed to the top of a high studio ladder, and gave the
most marvellous address—really, Ursula, it was wonderful!
He began in French—La vie, c’est une affaire d’ames im-
periales—in a most beautiful voice—he was a fine-looking
chap—but he had got into Roumanian before he had fin-
ished, and not a soul understood. But Donald Gilchrist was
worked to a frenzy. He dashed his glass to the ground, and
declared, by God, he was glad he had been born, by God,
it was a miracle to be alive. And do you know, Ursula, so it
was—‘ Gudrun laughed rather hollowly.
‘But how was Gerald among them all?’ asked Ursula.
‘Gerald! Oh, my word, he came out like a dandelion
in the sun! HE’S a whole saturnalia in himself, once he is
roused. I shouldn’t like to say whose waist his arm did not
go round. Really, Ursula, he seems to reap the women like
a harvest. There wasn’t one that would have resisted him. It
was too amazing! Can you understand it?’
Ursula reflected, and a dancing light came into her eyes.
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I can. He is such a whole-hogger.’
‘Whole-hogger! I should think so!’ exclaimed Gudrun.
‘But it is true, Ursula, every woman in the room was ready
to surrender to him. Chanticleer isn’t in it—even Fanny
Bath, who is GENUINELY in love with Billy Macfarlane!
I never was more amazed in my life! And you know, after-

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