for a
slightly higher role than that of a super in the play, and I found the
position singularly agreeable. I was afflicted at the time with no rash
desire to supplant the principal protagonists. It was a piquant and
persuasive proof of the infinite variety of human relationships that she
could bring me to meet the wealthy and powerful individual over whom she
had cast the spell of her radiant personality. I mean the gross and
licentious plutocrat of the red-blooded story. He came in as I was
standing, hat in hand, ready to go, and he heard me described as 'an old
friend, who knew her father years ago.' Which was true, though I was not
sure Captain Macedoine would have endorsed the statement. Mr. Kinaitsky
came forward with his hat on, removed it and one of his gloves, and
shook hands with a courtly gesture. He looked older than his photograph.
The fine gray hair fluffed out over the ears, the bushy brows shading
voluptuous eyes, the swarthy cheeks and flexible lips gave him the air
of a prosperous impresario. He brought in with him, however, an
atmosphere of affairs. He nodded politely to the girl's explanation,
patted her gently on the shoulder, and passed on to his room. Returning
for a cigarette, and offering me the box, he remarked that he hoped I
would excuse him as he was dining out and had to dress at once. He had
had a fatiguing day in the city. Did I know London? A fine day. Would I
excuse him once more? Turning to the girl, who was sitting on the arm of
a chair, he took her chin in his hand and favoured her with a swift,
masculine, appraising glance. She gave him one of her delicious,
derisive smiles and whispered something, her eyes flickering toward me
for an instant. He patted her cheek and turned away, remarking, 'Of
course if she wished.' He would not be in till late. 'Amuse yourself,
_ma chere_,' he added, and bowing slightly to me, went away to his bath.

"There was something odd to me in this, but I found it was a
characteristic of his infatuation to see as little of her as possible.
He never took her anywhere and he never brought any of his friends to
the hotels where they stayed. She had absolute freedom. He gave her
whatever she demanded. But she must not bother him. And while she was
absent getting a cloak, I looked around the room turning this unusual
idiosyncrasy over in my mind. There was a smoking table in one corner
and I observed a _tarbush_ on the lower shelf. Of course we ourselves
often w