dy was
impossible in Italian villas--she belonged in a near-mahogany
atmosphere with cerise-silk drapes and gaudy vases. Age-old elegancies
did not harmonize with her vivid self.

So she was not overly cordial in greeting Trudy. But Trudy with an eye
to mischief managed to draw her little lady-in-old-lace hostess into a
heart-to-heart talk. And before the afternoon ended Beatrice had
experienced the first real shock of her life. Her husband smoked a
pipe in Mary Faithful's living room and never told her; and Mary
Faithful admitted she loved someone very much and was with him each
day in business and so on; and Trudy had seen the smile pass between
them which signifies the perfect understanding! And oh, she did not
know a tenth of it, deary; not a tenth of it! It was one of those
subtle, hidden things, nothing tangible or dreadful--like a
purgatorial state of mind which may result in brimstone or lovely
angels with harps. Neither could she do anything about it since they
were both perfect dears and always would be. Not for worlds, in
Trudy's estimation, would they ever take it upon themselves to prove
the brittleness of vows.

After which Beatrice thanked Trudy, wishing her a speedy death by way
of gratitude, going to her room to decide what her attitude should
be.

To accuse Steve was crude; besides, she must be positive that it was
true. To get up an affair herself would be no heart balm since she had
never ceased having affairs--well-bred episodes, rather, perfectly
harmless when all is said and done, quite like Steve's, for that
matter! She could not find a new interest in life until she had
reduced at least twenty pounds, since her dieting and exercises
required all surplus will power and thought. She would go away only
her plans were made for months ahead. She could not tell her
father--the shock might kill him.... There was really nothing left to
do but suffer--be wretched and wonder if it was true. A horrid state
of uncertainty--to ask herself how it could ever have happened and
what would be the end, and terrible things--just terrible things! No
matter how large a check she might write to buy herself a new toy it
would have no bearing whatsoever upon the matter. She wished to heaven
Trudy had confined her gossip to the funny little manicure with
champagne eyes who flirted with someone else's husband! This was her
reward for having taken up with a shopgirl person!

The final conclusion she reached was that