But you shall see yourself what that is
like, so I needn't say any more about it."
"It is by no means certain that I will ever take Peter Ivanovitch from
dictation," said Miss Haldin.
"No!" cried the other incredulously. "Not certain? You mean to say that
you have not made up your mind?"
When Miss Haldin assured her that there never had been any question of
that between her and Peter Ivanovitch, the woman with the cat compressed
her lips tightly for a moment.
"Oh, you will find yourself settled at the table before you know that
you have made up your mind. Don't make a mistake, it is disenchanting
to hear Peter Ivanovitch dictate, but at the same time there is a
fascination about it. He is a man of genius. Your face is certain not to
irritate him; you may perhaps even help his inspiration, make it easier
for him to deliver his message. As I look at you, I feel certain that
you are the kind of woman who is not likely to check the flow of his
inspiration."
Miss Haldin thought it useless to protest against all these assumptions.
"But this man--this workman did he die under your care?" she said, after
a short silence.
The _dame de compagnie_, listening up the stairs where now two voices
were alternating with some animation, made no answer for a time. When
the loud sounds of the discussion had sunk into an almost inaudible
murmur, she turned to Miss Haldin.
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