Page:The Plutocrat (1927).pdf/46

 times used French phrases as the only ones that would fully express his meaning; so now he felt that "woman of the world" was but a pale definition of the Parisian exquisite before him, and in his mind repeated, "Femme du monde"—and added further Gallicism to that: "Femme du monde parfaitement et parfaitement Parisienne!"

She seemed entirely occupied with the cards before her, or else, absently, with the long tube of ivory and jade and the perfumed little cigarette it held; but Ogle nevertheless had the impression that she might be aware of him and of his almost startled interest in her; for although she did not glance at all in his direction she had the cool and competent air of a person whom nothing whatever escapes. So, after standing near the doorway a moment or two longer, pretending to be looking in a general way over the whole room, which was not of the heroic dimensions displayed in the great salons below, he walked on, seeking his friend.

Passing round a high-backed double divan, he came upon two lounging young men deeply sunk in soft leather cushions and languidly preoccupied with amber liquids. Each held a tall glass in his hand,