She began to read aloud: “Today I embarked on The Fairy Melusina, which I bought for myself in Hatchard’s on Monday. What shall I find there? So far I have read the rather long preamble which I found a little pedantic. I then came on to the knight Raimondin and his encounter with the shining lady at the Fontaine de Soif which I liked better. Miss LaMotte has an unquestionable gift for making the flesh creep.” “Beatrice—” “Is this the sort of thing you were—?” “Beatrice, could I possibly read that for myself, to make notes on it?” “You can’t take it out of the office.” “Perhaps I could perch at
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