Page:Watts Mumford--Whitewash.djvu/111

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WHITEWASH

Muse has brought one of the elect, Miss Claudel. Find her a comfortable corner and supply her needs."

Mrs. Durham instantly fell into the hands of a tall blond soul, with wistful eyes, and force was for Victoria, feeling much confused, to follow the lead of the 1830 apparition. Escorted to a cushioned divan under an Oriental canopy, she settled herself and gazed about her with such evident interest, that her companion divined her curiosity.

"Do you see the two men by the window—the one with the Jove-like head, that's Hartly, the poet, who wrote the 'Songs of Satan;' a charming fellow. The man he's talking to is a fellow named Brown. Does skits and foolish things for the 'Lambs' Club.' I never could understand why he is tolerated here. I have a feeling whenever I see him that he does not appreciate the spirit of our gatherings. There is an ironic levity about him that hurts me. But I must not malign him to you, as he is a great friend of our dear Muse. They always sit to-

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