SPRING IN BOND STREET
The visit to London was part of an evolution of both body and mind to Rosalie Anstruthers.In one of the wonderful modern hotels a suite of rooms was engaged for them.The luxury which surrounded them was not of the order Rosalie had vaguely connected with hotels.Hotel-keepers had apparently learned many things during the years of her seclusion.
Vanderpoels, at least, could so establish themselves as not to greatly feel the hotel atmosphere.Carefully chosen colours textures, and appointments formed the background of their days, the food they ate was a thing produced by art, the servants who attended them were completely-trained mechanisms.
To sit by a window and watch the kaleidoscopic human tide passing by on its way to its pleasure, to reach its work, to spend its money in unending shops, to show itself and its equipage in the park, was a wonderful thing to Lady Anstruthers.
It all seemed to be a part of the life and quality of Betty, little Betty, whom she had remembered only as a child, and who had come to her a tall, strong young beauty, who had--it was resplendently clear--never known a fear in her life, and whose mere personality had the effect of making fears seem unreal.
She was taken out in a luxurious little brougham to shops whose varied allurements were placed eagerly at her disposal.
Respectful persons, obedient to her most faintly-expressed desire, displayed garments as wonderful as those the New York trunks had revealed.She was besought to consider the fitness of articles whose exquisiteness she was almost afraid to look at.
Her thin little body was wonderfully fitted, managed, encouraged to make the most of its long-ignored outlines.