Page:Notable women authors of the day (IA notablewomenauth00blaciala).pdf/399

 is an open secret that Miss Marie Corelli has the strongest objection to being "interviewed," and has never even availed herself of the oft-repeated invitation to "sit for her photograph." In the circumstances, therefore, the reminiscences of sundry hours spent in her company, together with a subsequent conversation during a journey with a group of people who as yet knew her not, save through her writings, may convey some idea, not only of the personality, but also of the character of the gifted young author.

Reminiscences first. A chance meeting and a graceful act of courtesy on her part began what has since developed into a firm friendship. Some few years ago, there happened to be a particularly brilliant meeting of the popular Salon of Science, Literature, and Art. The rooms were filling fast, and the whole assembly thronged in to listen to a recitation by a clever American humorist. Gently urged on by the stream, I found myself standing near a large divan, already well filled by guests. Among them sat a little fair girl, robed in white silk, with a ribbon of the same colour round her abundant golden-brown hair. She looked so youthful as almost to suggest the idea that she could