An elaborate drawing-room is disclosed, with bare high-paneled walls, relieved only by attractive candle-clusters and a stretch of tapestry. At back is an alcove effect in which a piano is seen, with the usual decorations of a music-room suggested beyond. There are two openings which lead to the hallways and street doors without. Opposite these is a stone-built fireplace with a smoldering log blaze and attractive “British Soldier” andirons. By this rests a deep chair which tones with the other furnishings. A tea-table, resplendent with silver, stands obliquely in the center, with lighted candles. Appropriate ferns and flowers rest in likely places.
George Silverton is playing a Chopin étude in the music-room; about the opening are grouped Patricia Tenner, Mrs. Frowde, The Brown One, The Green One, The Blue One and others. They are listening, duly impressed by the touch of an expert.
Mavosky, the artist, is standing off alone by the tea-table complacently munching a macaroon and eyeing Patricia.
Mavosky is about forty, tall, with large eyes and a pointed beard. There is a slight Russian accent in his speech and his manners have the studied spontaneity of a professional foreigner exploiting a new field. As he continues to watch Patricia with a cynical smile, she leaves the group unobserved by the others and moves towards the low, deep chair near the fireplace.
Patricia has the large features of a stage-beauty, which enhance her appearance before the footlights. Her hair is parted and coiled low on her neck. She is elegantly gowned, and carries a long, elaborate scarf which is hung across her back and held by each arm. She uses this continually to increase her instinctive plasticity. As she turns there is a serious expression upon her face, as though, for once she had been her true self.
Patricia
(Almost inaudibly)
George Silverton. Poor George!
(She seems to feel Mavosky’s eyes; but again mistress of herself, turns, and smiles invitingly. Then she drapes herself artistically in the chair. Mavosky comes with the plate of macaroons, which she declines with a pretty gesture. He replaces them on the table, and, seeing no one is watching, returns to her, speaking softly as the music continues.)
Mavosky