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CHAPTER XVI THE LADY OF THE BLUE DRESS AGAIN
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 AND so it was that Pippa’s impulsive1 invitation brought the lady of the blue dress once more into Miss Mason’s surroundings.
 
And with her advent2 came one of the brightest threads which the Fates were using to weave into the hitherto sombre pattern of her life. For there is never any knowing what the Fates will do. For years the woof of their weaving may be utterly3 grey, but if the warp4 has kept firm and strong they may suddenly take the brightest colours—a very crazy patchwork5 of them—and weave them into the most intricate and curious pattern imaginable. And because the strength of the warp of this life pleased them, they were now choosing the most fantastically coloured threads in the weaving of the woof.
 
Pippa told Miss Mason of the invitation she had issued, and then went to wash her hands and brush her hair. There was no need to change her dress. She had already put on her prettiest frock to lunch with Paul.
 
Just before half-past three there was a knock at the door. Pippa looked up expectant. But it was only Barnabas.
 
 
“Hullo!” he said, coming in and seeing the tea-things on the table—Sally would be occupied with hot cakes at the last moment—“you’re expecting company.”
 
“The Duchessa di Corleone, Monsieur Paul, and Monsieur Christopher,” Pippa told him.
 
“Shall I be in the way?” asked Barnabas, looking at Miss Mason, “or may I stay?”
 
“You are never in the way,” said Miss Mason decisively.
 
Pippa sat down near him and slid one hand into his. And Miss Mason looked at them, and thought that only a year ago, and perhaps at that very hour, she had been sitting in a stiff drawing-room furnished with hideous6 chairs and ornamented7 with wax flowers under glass shades, listening to a long and minute account of Miss Stanhope’s ill-health, sleeplessness8, and want of appetite. And because the contrast was so very great, her eyes grew a trifle misty9 with unshed happy tears, and she said a little prayer, that was certainly more Catholic than her distinctly Broad Church views realized, for Miss Stanhope’s present welfare.
 
And then suddenly voices were heard outside the studio, a woman’s voice which Miss Mason seemed to recognize, and a man laughing.
 
The next moment Sally opened the door. Her eyes were round with awe10.
 
“The Duchess——” the next words were indistinguishable—“Mr. Charlton, and Mr. Treherne,” she gasped11. Already in her mind she was telling Jim that she had had the honour of ushering12 a real live Duchess into the studio.
 
The Duchessa di Corleone came into the room. Then she gave a little exclamation13 of astonishment14 and went forwards with outstretched hands.
 
“My fairy godmother!” she cried. And she was nearer truth than she had any idea as she spoke15 the words.
 
“The lady in the blue dress!” said Miss Mason, her face radiant with pleasure.
 
“So you two know each other,” said Paul.
 
“We met—when was it—last May?” said Sara. “May I introduce Mr. Charlton.” And the man whom Miss Mason had seen in the lounge of the Wilton Hotel bowed.
 
“It is,” said the Duchessa when she was seated, and after Barnabas had been introduced, “quite the most unexpected and delightful16 meeting. It was not till I was on my way to Italy that I remembered I had never asked your name.” And then she told the others of their first meeting.
 
“And has it all,” she asked, “been just as delightful as I prophesied17?”
 
“More delightful,” said Miss Mason promptly18. She was looking at Christopher. She remembered the “Christopher, darling,” and her mind, woman-like, was keen on the secret of a romance.
 
Sara saw her glance. By a flash of intuition she guessed something of what was passing in [Pg 171]Miss Mason’s mind. It gave her an opportunity she had been looking for during the last hour and a half.
 
“Christopher came to fetch me that evening to take me to an At Home, I remember. He is an extraordinarily19 useful person. I have known him since I was ten years old.”
 
The words were addressed to Miss Mason. They were intended for another occupant of the studio.
 
“I remember,” said Christopher, “our first meeting. It was, I think, unique.”
 
“In what way?” asked Paul.
 
“The Duchessa and her parents,” said Christopher, “had taken a house in Devonshire, at Salcombe, as a matter of fact, where I then lived. My mother, being of a hospitable20 turn of mind, and also of opinion that young men should make themselves generally useful, sent me across the road to enquire21 of Captain and Mrs. de Courcy if I could be of any assistance to them. I went. I found the Duchessa seated on the veranda22 on an overturned flower-pot. She was engaged in teaching ‘nap’ to three small boys who had come in from the next door garden, also with hospitable intentions. I found Mrs. de Courcy disentangling silver forks from among her evening frocks; they had been packed among them for safety——”
 
“Mamma was always under the impression that everybody was going to steal everything,” interjected the Duchessa.
 
 
“Captain de Courcy,” went on Christopher, “was extracting tin-tacks from the kitchen coal-scuttle, into which they had been upset by the Duchessa in her frantic23 questing for playing-cards.”
 
“And did you,” asked Miss Mason grimly, “assist him?”
 
“I extracted two tacks,” continued Christopher reminiscently. “Then I heard the Duchessa laugh. Have you ever heard her? I went out on to the veranda. First I looked at her, then I turned another flower-pot upside down and sat upon it. I tried to instruct her in a few of the correct rules of ‘nap.’ She cheated, I remember, abominably24. She has, in fact, cheated throughout her life.”
 
“Indeed, I have not,” said Sara indignantly. There was a dimple at the corner of her mouth.
 
“You have,” said Christopher calmly. “You have cheated the Fates every time they dealt the cards of fortune against you. It’s a trick many of us would give our eyes to learn. They deal her black cards, heigh presto26! the Duchessa has changed them to red ones. They deal her low dull cards—the Duchessa holds aces27 and Kings, particularly,” ended Christopher severely28, “Kings!”
 
“Christopher,” said Sara sweetly, “is given to exaggeration.” She was first the tiniest bit annoyed. Christopher’s last word savoured somewhat of an accusation29 of flirting30. No woman cares to be accused of that pastime before a man in whom she is feeling—well, certainly more than just a careless interest. Besides, the music Paul had been hearing during the last ten weeks had begun to reach the Duchessa’s ears, though as yet quite faintly. The slight implication of flirting came as a discord31 to the tune25 it was playing.
 
“The late Duca di Corleone might certainly be termed a King,” protested Christopher, “while the Casa di Corleone and the coffers of centesimi are most assuredly many aces.”
 
“Yes,” agreed the Duchessa. “You, however, said ‘particularly Kings.’”
 
“My mistake,” said Christopher politely. “I should have said particularly aces.”
 
The Duchessa made a little gracious gesture of forgiveness. Paul had been stroking a small grey kitten—gift of Dan to Pippa—during the little conversation, and was apparently32 entirely33 engrossed34 in the kitten. But he had heard every word, and Christopher’s intimacy35 with the Duchessa was seen by him in a new and far more satisfactory light.
 
“But now,” said the Duchessa, addressing herself to Miss Mason, “I want to hear everything you have been doing since last May.”
 
Miss Mason glanced around the studio.
 
“Got a studio,” she said.
 
“And also,” said Barnabas, “she has adopted six nephews and one niece.”
 
 
“Me,” said Pippa, who was gazing at the Duchessa with fascinated eyes.
 
Sara smiled. She looked at Paul and Barnabas.
 
“I imagine,” she said, “that these are two of the nephews. Where are the others?”
 
“In their studios,” said Barnabas. “Aunt Olive doesn’t keep all her nephews on the premises36. They are the six artists of the courtyard.”
 
“Oh,” said Sara, with a low laugh, “then you, too, have a magic courtyard.”
 
“Where is yours?” asked Pippa.
 
And the Duchessa told her, bringing the sunshine of Italy and the gleam of golden oranges into the studio, bathing it in their light and colour. And Paul listened as he listened always when she spoke, loving the sound of her voice and the magic of her words.
 
Suddenly as she ended they heard the sound of a violin. It came from across the courtyard and through the partly open window.
 
“Hush!” said the Duchessa, and she raised her head listening.
 
When the last sad notes had died away, she looked across at Paul.
 
“Who is it?” she asked softly, her eyes full of tears, for the sad bitterness of a troubled heart had wailed37 through the music.
 
“Michael Chester,” said Paul quietly.
 
“And why,” asked the Duchessa, “is he not taking London by storm?”
 
 
“Because,” said Paul, “he is a cripple.”
 
“Ah!” said the Duchessa. She had no need to ask more, for the music had told her the rest.
 
After a time she left, promising38 to come again. As she went into the courtyard with Paul and Christopher she looked towards the window from whence the sounds of the violin had proceeded.
 
“I wonder,” she said, “if one day he will play for me.”

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1 impulsive M9zxc     
adj.冲动的,刺激的;有推动力的
参考例句:
  • She is impulsive in her actions.她的行为常出于冲动。
  • He was neither an impulsive nor an emotional man,but a very honest and sincere one.他不是个一冲动就鲁莽行事的人,也不多愁善感.他为人十分正直、诚恳。
2 advent iKKyo     
n.(重要事件等的)到来,来临
参考例句:
  • Swallows come by groups at the advent of spring. 春天来临时燕子成群飞来。
  • The advent of the Euro will redefine Europe.欧元的出现将重新定义欧洲。
3 utterly ZfpzM1     
adv.完全地,绝对地
参考例句:
  • Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民,把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
  • I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。
4 warp KgBwx     
vt.弄歪,使翘曲,使不正常,歪曲,使有偏见
参考例句:
  • The damp wood began to warp.这块潮湿的木材有些翘曲了。
  • A steel girder may warp in a fire.钢梁遇火会变弯。
5 patchwork yLsx6     
n.混杂物;拼缝物
参考例句:
  • That proposal is nothing else other than a patchwork.那个建议只是一个大杂烩而已。
  • She patched new cloth to the old coat,so It'seemed mere patchwork. 她把新布初到那件旧上衣上,所以那件衣服看上去就象拼凑起来的东西。
6 hideous 65KyC     
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的
参考例句:
  • The whole experience had been like some hideous nightmare.整个经历就像一场可怕的噩梦。
  • They're not like dogs,they're hideous brutes.它们不像狗,是丑陋的畜牲。
7 ornamented af417c68be20f209790a9366e9da8dbb     
adj.花式字体的v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The desk was ornamented with many carvings. 这桌子装饰有很多雕刻物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She ornamented her dress with lace. 她用花边装饰衣服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 sleeplessness niXzGe     
n.失眠,警觉
参考例句:
  • Modern pharmacy has solved the problem of sleeplessness. 现代制药学已经解决了失眠问题。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The doctors were puzzled by this strange continuous sleeplessness. 医生们对他的奇异的不眠感到疑惑。 来自英语晨读30分(高三)
9 misty l6mzx     
adj.雾蒙蒙的,有雾的
参考例句:
  • He crossed over to the window to see if it was still misty.他走到窗户那儿,看看是不是还有雾霭。
  • The misty scene had a dreamy quality about it.雾景给人以梦幻般的感觉。
10 awe WNqzC     
n.敬畏,惊惧;vt.使敬畏,使惊惧
参考例句:
  • The sight filled us with awe.这景色使我们大为惊叹。
  • The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。
11 gasped e6af294d8a7477229d6749fa9e8f5b80     
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要
参考例句:
  • She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
  • People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
12 ushering 3e092841cb6e76f98231ed1268254a5c     
v.引,领,陪同( usher的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • They were right where the coach-caller was swinging open a coach-door and ushering in two ladies. "他们走到外面时,叫马车的服务员正打开车门,请两位小姐上车。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • Immediately the two of them approached others, thanking them, ushering them out one by one. 他们俩马上走到其他人面前,向他们道谢,一个个送走了他们。 来自辞典例句
13 exclamation onBxZ     
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词
参考例句:
  • He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
  • The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
14 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
15 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
16 delightful 6xzxT     
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
参考例句:
  • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
  • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
17 prophesied 27251c478db94482eeb550fc2b08e011     
v.预告,预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She prophesied that she would win a gold medal. 她预言自己将赢得金牌。
  • She prophesied the tragic outcome. 她预言有悲惨的结果。 来自《简明英汉词典》
18 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
19 extraordinarily Vlwxw     
adv.格外地;极端地
参考例句:
  • She is an extraordinarily beautiful girl.她是个美丽非凡的姑娘。
  • The sea was extraordinarily calm that morning.那天清晨,大海出奇地宁静。
20 hospitable CcHxA     
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的
参考例句:
  • The man is very hospitable.He keeps open house for his friends and fellow-workers.那人十分好客,无论是他的朋友还是同事,他都盛情接待。
  • The locals are hospitable and welcoming.当地人热情好客。
21 enquire 2j5zK     
v.打听,询问;调查,查问
参考例句:
  • She wrote to enquire the cause of the delay.她只得写信去询问拖延的理由。
  • We will enquire into the matter.我们将调查这事。
22 veranda XfczWG     
n.走廊;阳台
参考例句:
  • She sat in the shade on the veranda.她坐在阳台上的遮荫处。
  • They were strolling up and down the veranda.他们在走廊上来回徜徉。
23 frantic Jfyzr     
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的
参考例句:
  • I've had a frantic rush to get my work done.我急急忙忙地赶完工作。
  • He made frantic dash for the departing train.他发疯似地冲向正开出的火车。
24 abominably 71996a6a63478f424db0cdd3fd078878     
adv. 可恶地,可恨地,恶劣地
参考例句:
  • From her own point of view Barbara had behaved abominably. 在她看来,芭芭拉的表现是恶劣的。
  • He wanted to know how abominably they could behave towards him. 他希望能知道他们能用什么样的卑鄙手段来对付他。
25 tune NmnwW     
n.调子;和谐,协调;v.调音,调节,调整
参考例句:
  • He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子,并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
  • The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。
26 presto ZByy0     
adv.急速地;n.急板乐段;adj.急板的
参考例句:
  • With something so important,you can't just wave a wand and presto!在这么重大的问题上,你想挥动一下指挥棒,转眼就变过来,办不到!
  • I just turned the piece of wire in the lock and hey presto,the door opened.我把金属丝伸到锁孔里一拧,嘿,那门就开了。
27 aces ee59dee272122eff0b67efcc2809f178     
abbr.adjustable convertible-rate equity security (units) 可调节的股本证券兑换率;aircraft ejection seat 飞机弹射座椅;automatic control evaluation simulator 自动控制评估模拟器n.擅长…的人( ace的名词复数 );精于…的人;( 网球 )(对手接不到发球的)发球得分;爱司球
参考例句:
  • The local representative of ACES will define the local area. ACES的当地代表将划定当地的范围。 来自互联网
  • Any medical expenses not covered by ACES insurance are the sole responsibility of the parents. 任何ACES保险未包括的医疗费用一律是父母的责任。 来自互联网
28 severely SiCzmk     
adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地
参考例句:
  • He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
  • He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。
29 accusation GJpyf     
n.控告,指责,谴责
参考例句:
  • I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
  • She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。
30 flirting 59b9eafa5141c6045fb029234a60fdae     
v.调情,打情骂俏( flirt的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Don't take her too seriously; she's only flirting with you. 别把她太当真,她只不过是在和你调情罢了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • 'she's always flirting with that new fellow Tseng!" “她还同新来厂里那个姓曾的吊膀子! 来自子夜部分
31 discord iPmzl     
n.不和,意见不合,争论,(音乐)不和谐
参考例句:
  • These two answers are in discord.这两个答案不一样。
  • The discord of his music was hard on the ear.他演奏的不和谐音很刺耳。
32 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
33 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
34 engrossed 3t0zmb     
adj.全神贯注的
参考例句:
  • The student is engrossed in his book.这名学生正在专心致志地看书。
  • No one had ever been quite so engrossed in an evening paper.没人会对一份晚报如此全神贯注。
35 intimacy z4Vxx     
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行
参考例句:
  • His claims to an intimacy with the President are somewhat exaggerated.他声称自己与总统关系密切,这有点言过其实。
  • I wish there were a rule book for intimacy.我希望能有个关于亲密的规则。
36 premises 6l1zWN     
n.建筑物,房屋
参考例句:
  • According to the rules,no alcohol can be consumed on the premises.按照规定,场内不准饮酒。
  • All repairs are done on the premises and not put out.全部修缮都在家里进行,不用送到外面去做。
37 wailed e27902fd534535a9f82ffa06a5b6937a     
v.哭叫,哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She wailed over her father's remains. 她对着父亲的遗体嚎啕大哭。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The women of the town wailed over the war victims. 城里的妇女为战争的死难者们痛哭。 来自辞典例句
38 promising BkQzsk     
adj.有希望的,有前途的
参考例句:
  • The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
  • We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。


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