Wintry dawn, gray, disconsolate, filtered in at Alexis’ window. The dressing gown still about him, he lay face downward upon his solitary bed.
CHAPTER XIX
A CRESCENDO
Anne stirred uneasily. One slim, bare arm emerged from beneath the satin coverlet and wavered towards her face. The depths of her exhausted sleep, suddenly violated, rippled and broke. Returning consciousness beat against her like a gusty wave. She sat up in bed and looked towards the open window in puzzled astonishment. To her amazement, it was already daylight, and the raucous cry of a motor siren was shrilling stridently.
With a sickening thud, recollection fell upon her. She sprang out of bed and ran towards the open window. Hiding behind the heavy curtains, she gazed down onto the snow-covered driveway below. As she had expected, there was Ellen’s car, and in a little group on the terrace above it, was Ellen, herself, surrounded by the others. They were bidding an effusive farewell to Alexis, who, with his back turned toward the house, stood hatless and coatless at the top of the steps.
He will catch cold again, thought Anne, as with chattering teeth she wound the heavy curtain about her. Oh, why don’t they hurry? Her eyes fell upon the thick-set figure of the Spaniard. Caldenas! She shook with inward amusement. What is he doing in this galère?
Hat jammed over his face, Gerald Boynton leaned close to Ellen’s massive shoulders, whispering in her ear. They turned, and raking the far side of the house, eyed Anne’s balconied window. Beneath the vulture-like stare, Anne shivered and concealed herself more closely within the enfolding curtain.
Olive Fay, small, fur-clad, clung limply to Alexis’ arm.
“Bye-bye, Mr. Petrovskey, I’m just furious we’ve got to beat it so early. Bother these rehearsals, anyway!” Her tone shrilled up to Anne on the icy air. “You won’t forget that box you promised me for your concert, will you? I’m not strong for the high-brow stuff, but I’ve certainly fallen for you, and it’ll give the dear public a shock to see me in Carnegie Hall.” She sprang nimbly down the steps and hopped into the motor. Flesh-colored stockings gleamed upon rounded calves.
“Yes, we shall all be there, en masse,” drawled Ellen, one foot upon the running-board. “You may count upon us!” Her voice raised maliciously, she fastened her eyes upon Anne’s windows.
As the car swung around the driveway, Caldenas, a cherubic smile upon his round face, leaned out recklessly. His eyes were fixed ecstatically upon the house. “It is a gem,” he was shouting lustily. “Un pocito palacio.”