Chapter 11 Chapter Eleven

The next day, Julia and Charles.Tamerly had lunch.His father, the Marquess of Dennorent, had inherited a large fortune by marrying an heiress.Julia used to go to the luncheons he liked to hold at his Hill Street mansion.In the bottom of her heart she despised the ladies and lords she met there, because she was a professional woman and entertainer, but she knew that the company would work for her.It would bring them to the Siddons Theater for the evening premiere that was touted in the newspapers; and she knew that a photo with a group of aristocrats at a weekend party would be good advertising.One or two leading actresses, younger than she, did not take her for granted when they heard her address at least two duchesses by their first names.She doesn't feel sorry.

Julia was not very talkative, but she was bright-eyed and intelligent, and as soon as she learned the language of society she was a very interesting woman.She had an exceptional gift of imitation, which she did not show much at ordinary times, as she thought it would be detrimental to her acting, but which flourished in these circles, and for which she acquired a reputation for wit.She was glad they liked her, these fashionable loafers, but she laughed to herself because they were dazzled by her charms.She wondered what they would think if they really knew how ordinary the life of a famous actress is, how hard the work is, how careful she must be, what rigid habits she must adopt.But she graciously offered them the means of making up and imitating her dresses.She always dresses nicely.Even Michael was happy to pretend she didn't have to pay for the clothes she wore, not knowing how much she actually spent on them.

Her virtues are impeccable both in heart and in life.Everyone knew that her marriage to Michael was exemplary.She is a model of being at home.On the other hand, quite a few people in their particular circle were convinced that she was Charles.Mistress of Tamerly.It was supposed that their relationship had lasted so long that it had been respected; and when they were invited to the same family's house for a weekend, the generous hostess always gave them two rooms in Beerian's. This kind of thinking of people has long been related to Charles.First spread by the estranged Lady Charles of Tamerley, it is in fact a pure fabrication.The only basis is that Charles has been madly in love with Julia for twenty-five years, and the reason why the Temery couple, who have never gotten along harmoniously, agreed to separate is indeed because of Julia.Indeed it was Lady Charles who first made Julia and Charles acquainted.The three of them happened to be in Dolly.De Vries's for lunch when Julia was a young actress, having just achieved her first major success in London.It was a big party and she was well respected.Mrs. Charles was in her thirties at the time, and she was known as a beauty. Although her face was not beautiful except for a pair of eyes, she still managed to put on an impressive posture with her bold old face. Leaning across the table with a gracious smile.

Oh, Miss Lambert, I think I used to know your father in Jersey.He's a doctor, isn't he?At that time he often came to our house. There was a sick feeling in the corner of Julia's stomach; she now remembered who Mrs. Charles was before her marriage, and she sensed the trap that was set before her.She smiled softly. Not at all, she replied, he was a veterinarian.He used to go to your house to deliver the bitches.How many bitches are there in your family? Mrs. Charles didn't know what to say for a moment. My mother loves dogs, she replied. Julia was glad Michael was not there.Poor little boy, he'll be ashamed of himself.He always referred to her father as Dr. Lambert, and said it like a French surname, and when her father died shortly after the war, her mother went to live with her widowed sister at St. Malo, and since then He always referred to her as Mrs. de Lambert (Note: Michael intentionally pronounced the British surname Lambert in French, and added a de in front to indicate a famous French family. ).At the beginning of her stage career, Julia was somewhat sensitive on this point, but once she became a big star, she changed her mind.Instead she liked to emphasize the fact that her father was a veterinarian, especially among dignitaries.She couldn't explain why, but she thought it would keep them calm and quiet.

But Charles.Annoyed at the knowledge that his wife intended to humiliate the young woman, Temery was especially kind to her.He asked her if he could visit her and send her some beautiful flowers. He was a man who was nearly forty years old at the time, with a small head on top of a graceful body. He was not very handsome, but he looked very noble.He looked well-bred, which he was, and was very refined in his manners.He is an art lover.He buys modern paintings and collects vintage furniture.He is also a music lover and well-read.At first he found it amused to visit the small apartment in Buckingham Palace Road where the young actors lived.He saw that they were quite poor, and he was heartened by the exposure to what he cheerfully thought was a bohemian life.He came a few times, and then they invited him to their house for lunch, which had been cooked and served to them by a scarecrow-looking woman named Evie, which he thought was an adventure.this is life.

He paid little attention to Michael, who was fascinated by Julia, though Michael was too strikingly beautiful to be a mediocre youth in his mind.Her enthusiasm, her intensity of character, her seething energy was like nothing he had ever seen before.He went to see her perform a few times, comparing her performances to the famous foreign actresses he recalled.He felt that she had an air which was peculiarly her own.Her magnetism is unquestionable.He was suddenly excited to discover that she had genius. Maybe another Siddons.A greater Ellen.Terry (Note: British actress, co-starring Shakespeare with Henry Owen for a long time, was a smash hit.).

In those days it did not occur to Julia the need to go to bed in the afternoon, she was as strong as a horse and never tired, so he used to take her for walks in the park.She felt he wanted her to be a child of nature.It suits her perfectly.She effortlessly comes across as innocent, frank, and girlishly cheerful about everything.He took her to the National Gallery (Note: in Trafalgar Square, London, founded in 1824.), the Tate Gallery (Note: established by the British industrialist Sir Henry Tate in 1897) Donated its private art collection and funded the establishment in London, mainly collecting and exhibiting British works from the seventeenth century to modern times.) and the British Museum (Note: The British Museum, in London, was founded in 1753.) Go to , and she did appreciate it almost as much as she said.He likes to instill knowledge, and she likes to absorb it.She had a good memory and learned a lot from him.If she was able to talk about Proust with the best people later on .) and Cézanne (Note: French painter. A representative of post-impressionism.), so you are both surprised and delighted to find that an actress has such a high cultural accomplishment, then she got it from him.

She knew that he had fallen in love with her, but for a while he himself did not know it.She thought it was kind of funny.She saw him as a middle-aged man and thought he was a decent old fellow.She was madly in love with Michael.When Charles realized that he was in love with her, his demeanor changed, he seemed suddenly shy, and they were often silent when they were together. Poor little darling, she thought, what a gentleman he is, he's so bewildered. But she had a plan in place for the public courtship she believed he would sooner or later force himself to make.There was one thing she wanted to make clear to him.She did not intend for him to think that he was a lord and she was an actress, so that all he had to do was wave and she would jump into bed and sleep with him.If he tried, she would play to him an exasperated heroine in the same way that JennyTateb taught her the gesture, stretched out an arm suddenly and pointed the index finger in the same direction to the door.On the other hand, if he's stunned and stupefied, she'll shake herself, and have a sobbing and all, and say she never thought he'd be so infatuated with her, but no, No, it would break Michael's heart.They'd have a good cry together, and then everything would be fine.Because of his gentle demeanor, she could be sure that once he was made aware of the impossibility, he would never do anything unpleasant.

But the development of things was completely beyond her expectation.Once, Charles.Tamerly and Julia took a walk in St. James's Park (Note: In the east of Hyde Park and Green Park in London, it was originally the royal garden built by King Henry VIII.), they watched the gannets, inspired by the scenery, Talking about whether she could play Miraman on a Sunday nightThey went back to Julia's flat for a cup of tea.They shared a scone.Then Charles got up to go.He took a miniature portrait out of his pocket and gave it to Julia. This is a portrait of Clarant (Note: a French actress, known for her role as the heroine Phaedra in Racine's famous play "Phaedra".).She was an eighteenth-century actress with many of your gifts.

Looking at the beautiful, intelligent face with its powdered hair, Julia wondered whether the frame of the portrait was set with diamonds, or ordinary artificial gems. Ah, Charles, how could you!It's so kind of you. I think you'll like it.This is a parting memorial. Are you going out? She was surprised because he never mentioned it.He looked at her and smiled slightly. No.But I won't come to see you anymore. Why? I think you understand as well as I do. Then Julia did a shameful thing.She sat down and stared at the portrait for a while in silence.She catches the beat brilliantly, slowly raising her eyes until they meet Charles's.She could cry almost if she wanted to, which was her best skill, and now she neither made a sound nor sobbed, but the tears welled up in her eyes and ran down her cheeks.Her mouth was parted slightly, and there was in her eyes the look of a child who has been greatly wronged for some unknown reason, and the effect was so pathetic that it was unbearable.His face was transformed by the agony of his heart.When he spoke, his voice was hoarse from overexcitement.

You love Michael, don't you? She nodded slightly.She pursed her lips tightly, as if trying to control herself, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Am I absolutely hopeless?He waited for her answer, but she said nothing, just put her hand to her mouth as if about to bite her nails, all the while watching him with tearful eyes.Do you know how it hurts me to see you like this again?Do you want me to continue to see you? She nodded slightly again. Clara (Note: This is Mrs. Charles's name.) I quarreled very much about you.She found me in love with you.We can't meet again, that's clear. This time Julia shook her head slightly.She let out a sob.She leaned back in the chair and turned her head to one side.Her whole body seemed to show her grief and despair.Flesh and blood is intolerable.Charles stepped forward, knelt down, and took her heartbroken form in his arms. For God's sake, don't be so sad.I can't stand wow.Alas, Julia, Julia, I love you so much, and I cannot make you so sad.I am willing to bear everything.I will never ask of you. She turned her tear-stained face toward him (God, I look good right now), and brought her lips together.He kisses her softly.This was the first time he had ever kissed her. I don't want to lose you, she murmured in a hoarse voice. baby, darling! Just like the old days, right? that's it. She let out a deep sigh of contentment, and cuddled in his arms for a minute or two.As soon as he was gone, she got up and went to look in the mirror. You mean bitch, she said to herself. But she giggled again, as if she wasn't ashamed, and went into the bathroom to wash her face and wipe her eyes.She felt indescribably excited.She heard Michael come in and called out to him. Michael, look at that miniature that Charles just sent me.on the mantelpiece.Are those diamonds or synthetic gemstones? When Lady Charles first separated from her husband, Julia was apprehensive because she threatened to initiate divorce proceedings, and Julia was extremely reluctant to appear in court as a third party.For two or three weeks she was terrified.She made it a point not to give Michael any word of it until it was necessary; and she was glad that she said nothing, because it turned out that the threat was only to wring a greater sum of maintenance from her innocent husband. Julia handled Charles with the utmost ingenuity.It was understood that, because of her great love for Michael, there could be no intimacy between them, but otherwise he was her everything, her friend, her advisor, her confidant, and a source of support for her in any emergency. A supporter who responds to every request under any circumstances, and you can get comfort from him when you encounter any setbacks. Later, with great sensitivity, Charles realized that she was no longer in love with Michael, which provided a more difficult problem.This was when Julia had to play tricks.It wasn't because of any scruples that she didn't want to be his mistress; if he had been an actor and loved her so passionately and for so long, she wouldn't have cared and would have jumped into bed with him out of sheer goodness. ; but she just didn't like him.She liked him very much, but he was so gentle, so cultivated, so refined, that she could not imagine him as her lover.It would be like going to sleep with a piece of art.His love of art made her feel absurd; after all, she was the creator of art and he was, after all, only a spectator. He begged her to elope with him.They will buy a villa in Sorrento on the Gulf of Naples (Note: Located at the southern end of the Gulf of Naples in southwestern Italy. It is a summer resort.) They will have a villa with a large garden. Long-day excursions on the sea in general color.Love and beauty and art; the human world vanishes without a trace. Bloody bastard, she thought.As if I would give up my career and bury myself in some corner of Italy! She convinced him that she was responsible to Michael, and the baby besides; she couldn't let him grow up carrying the burden of his mother being a bad woman.Orange trees or no orange trees, and if she could keep thinking about Michael's misfortune and her baby being looked after by strangers, she would have a broken heart and never be at peace in that beautiful Italian villa.One can't just look out for oneself, can one?One must also think of others.She is very gentle and feminine.Sometimes she asked Charles why he didn't divorce his wife and marry another virtuous woman.It was unbearable to think of him wasting his life for her.He told her that she was the only woman he had ever loved in his life and that he would love her till the end of his life. How sad that sounds, Julia said. Even so, she kept her eyes wide open and tried to sabotage any woman who tried to take Charles away.If danger is real, she does not hesitate to show extreme jealousy. Charles and Julia had already agreed that, as could be imagined from his noble upbringing and her kindness, it was very thoughtful, and they agreed not in definite words, but in roundabout similes. If something happened to Michael, They had to get rid of Mrs. Charles somehow and get married.But Michael's health was excellent. This time, Julia's lunch in Hill Street would give her great pleasure.This party is huge.Julia had never encouraged Charles to invite the actors and writers he came across, so she was the only one here who had to earn a living.On one side of her sat an old, fat, bald, chattering cabinet minister, who paid her so much attention; Boasting that you know more French slang than the French.Finding that Julia could speak French, he insisted on speaking to her in French.After lunch, at their request, she read an impassioned speech from Phaedra the way it is performed at the Comédie Française, and then recited the same passage in imitation of British students at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art .She made the whole house laugh, and she bid them farewell with a smile on her face because of her success. It was a fine day and she decided to walk from Hill Street to Stanhope Square.She made her way through the Oxford Street crowd, many of whom recognized her, and though she looked straight ahead, she felt their eyes fixed on her. Running around and people staring at you all the time is annoying as hell. She slowed down a little.What a beautiful day. She unlocked the door and walked into the house. As soon as she entered, she heard the phone ring.She picked up the receiver without thinking. Hello? She usually used a fake voice on the phone, but this time she forgot. Miss Lambert? I'm afraid Miss Lambert is not at home.Which one are you?she asked in a Cockney accent at once. Monosyllables gave her away.A giggle came from the phone. I just want to thank you for writing me.You know, you don't have to bother.Thank you for inviting me to dinner, I think I should send you some flowers to express my gratitude. His voice and what he said told her who it was.It was the blushing boy whose name she couldn't name.Even now, although she had seen his business card, she still couldn't remember it.The only thing that struck her was that he lived in Tavistock Square. You are too kind, she replied in her own accent. Are you happy to come out and drink tea with me someday? How bold!She wasn't happy drinking tea with the Duchess; he almost took her for a showgirl.It's pretty ridiculous when you think about it. I don't think there is anything to be unhappy about. Are you real?His voice sounded excited.He has a melodious voice.when? She didn't feel like going to bed at all that afternoon. today. OK, I slipped out of the office.How about four thirty?138 Tavistock Square. He made a good suggestion.He could have easily suggested a trendy place where people would stare at her.It showed that he didn't just want to be seen with her. She took a taxi to Tavistock Square.She is content with herself.She is doing a good thing.Years later, he would be able to tell his wife and children that when he was a clerk in the accounting firm, Julia.Lambert had tea with him.How simple and natural she is.Listening to her casual chatter, no one would have guessed that she was the greatest actress in England.If they don't believe his words, he will take out her photo, signed yours sincerely, as proof.He would laugh and say, of course, if he hadn't been so young and ignorant, he wouldn't have had the audacity to invite her. She arrived at the house, paid the taxi fare, and suddenly remembered that she did not know his name, and when the maid came to open the door, she would not be able to tell whom.But in looking for the bells, she saw there were eight of them, two in a row, in four rows, and next to each bell was a card or slip of paper with the name written in ink.It was an old house divided into flats.She began to look at the names, feeling unsure if one of them would help her recall something, when the door opened and he stood before her. I saw your car coming, so I ran downstairs.Sorry, I live on the third floor.I hope you don't mind. Of course I don't mind. She climbed the uncarpeted stairs.She was a little out of breath when she reached the landing on the third floor.He was bouncing up and down, and he was up there, like a young goat, she thought, but she would not say that she would prefer to go a little slower. The room into which he had led her was spacious enough, but furnished in a dingy and gray manner.On the table was a basin of cakes, two cups, a sugar bowl and a jug of milk.These pottery are the cheapest goods. Sit down, he said, and the water will boil in no time.I'll be there in a while.My gas range is installed in the bathroom. After he moved away, she looked around. Poor little darling, he must be as poor as a church mouse. The room reminded her vividly of some of the dwellings she had spent in her first days on the stage.She noticed his pitiful attempt to conceal the fact that the room was both a living room and a bedroom.The couch against the wall was clearly his bed at night.The years receded in her imagination, and she felt strangely rejuvenated.How much fun they had enjoyed in just such a house, how they had admired their extraordinary meals, cooked food in paper bags, and ham and eggs cooked on a gas fire!He came in with a pot of tea made in a brown teapot.She ate a square sponge cake with pink icing on top.That was something she hadn't eaten for many years.Sri Lankan black tea, steeped with milk and sugar, reminded her of days she thought she had forgotten.She saw an image of herself as an obscure, struggling actress in her youth.It's really interesting.She needed a gesture, but only this one came to mind: She took off her hat and tossed her head. They start talking.He seemed shy, much more shy than he had been talking on the phone; well, it wasn't surprising, since he must have been overwhelmed now that she was in front of her, and she was determined to make him not restrained. He told her that his parents lived in Highgate (Note: A residential area in Middlesex, west of London.), and his father was a lawyer. He used to live there too, but he wanted to be his own master, so In the last year of his contract of employment, he left the family and rented the small apartment.He is preparing for the final exam.They talked about drama.He had seen every play she had acted in since he was twelve years old.He told her that once, when he was fourteen, he had been waiting at the backstage door after a matinee, and when he saw her come out, he had asked her to sign the yearbook.He was cute with blue eyes and light brown hair.It's a pity that he sticks his hair flat on his scalp like this with hair cream.He was fair-skinned and very red; she wondered if he had consumptive disease.Although his clothes were cheap, they fitted him well, she liked the way he looked, and he looked unbelievably clean. She asked him why he had chosen Tavistock Square.The lot is central, he explained, and he loves the trees.It is indeed good that you look out of the window.She stood up to see that it was a good way to make some movement, and then she could put on her hat and say goodbye to him. Yes, it's really cute, isn't it?It's quintessential London; it's mind-blowing. As she said this, she turned to face him, who was standing beside her.He put an arm around her waist and kissed her lips firmly.No woman has ever been so frightened in her life.She was stunned and at a loss.His lips are soft, and there is a youthful fragrance about him, which is really intoxicating.But his behavior is absolutely absurd.He was forcing her lips apart with the tip of his tongue, and now he wrapped his arms around her.She didn't feel angry, she didn't feel like laughing, she didn't know how she felt.At this time, she felt that he was gently pulling her over, his lips were still pressed against hers, and she clearly felt his hot body, as if a furnace was burning inside, it was extraordinary and then she found herself laid on the couch with him beside her, kissing her mouth, her neck, her cheeks, her eyes.Julia felt only a strange pang in her heart.She took his head between her hands and kissed him on the lips. A few minutes later she was standing before the mantelpiece, looking in the mirror, and grooming herself. look at my hair. He handed her a wooden comb, and she combed it.Then she put her hat on.He was standing right behind her, and she saw over her shoulder a gleam of a smile in the eager blue eyes of his face. I thought you were a timid boy, she said to his reflection in the mirror. He giggled. When will I see you again? Do you still want to meet me? Of course I want to. She had a quick thought.This matter is too ridiculous, of course she doesn't want to see him again, and it's really stupid to let him act so boldly, but it's okay to be perfunctory.If she told him that this was the end of the matter, he would not give up. I'll call you in two days. you swear. I vouch for my personality. Don't leave it too long. He insisted on accompanying her downstairs and sending her to a taxi.She had thought of going down alone, so that she could look at the cards next to the bells on the door frame by the gate. Damn it, I should at least know his name anyway. But he doesn't give her this chance.When the taxi drove away, she collapsed in a corner of the car, giggling. Raped, my dear.It was actually raped.Even at my age.Not even a word of forgiveness.Treat me like a flirt.Like an eighteenth-century comedy, that's what it is.I'm almost like a maid.Skirts with hoops and some ridiculous fluffy stuff called what they were wearing to accentuate their hips, plus an apron and a scarf around their necks.Thinking of this, she vaguely thought of Farquhar (Note: British playwright, good at writing romantic comedies with brilliant dialogues.) and Goldsmith (Note: British novelist, who once wrote the famous comedy "Being Compromised"). ), and invented such a line: Hey, sir, what a shame to take advantage of a poor country girl!What would Mrs. Abigail, my lady's maid, have said if she had learned that her brother had taken from me the most precious treasure a young woman in my position could possess, namely her virginity!Bah, bah, sir. When Julia returned home, Miss Phillips, the masseur, was waiting for her.The masseur was chatting with Evie. Where the hell have you been, Miss Lambert?Ivy said, do you want to take a break, I ask you. Damn rest. Julia took off her clothes and threw them on the floor with open arms.So she jumped onto the bed naked, and stood there for a moment like a Venus rising from the waves.Then he threw himself on the bed, his limbs stretched out straight. what do you mean?Evie said. I feel comfortable. Well, if I did, I'd be called drunk. Miss Phillips massaged her feet.She rubs gently to rest her without straining her. When you came in like a whirlwind just now, she said, I think you are twenty years younger.Your eyes are shining brightly. Oh, you leave that to Mr. Gosling, Miss Phillips.Then she thought for a moment and said, I feel like a two-year-old doll. Later in the theatre, too.And her co-star Archie.Dexter comes into her dressing room to talk.She just got her makeup done.He was taken aback. Hello, Julia, how are you doing tonight?Omg you are so beautiful.Whew, you look like twenty-five at the most. My son is sixteen years old, so it's useless to pretend to be young.I'm forty years old and I'm not afraid to be known. What happened to your eyes?I've never seen it shine like this. She was elated.They had been doing that play called "Powder Puff" together for several weeks, but tonight Julia seemed to be giving the first act.Her performance is brilliant.She had never had so many laughs.She had always been a magnet, but this time it seemed to flow radiantly through the theater.Michael happened to watch the last two acts in the corner of a box, and came to her dressing-room as soon as the play was over. You know, from the teleprompter, our scene was extended by nine minutes tonight because their laughs were too long. Seven curtain calls.I thought the audience would go on all night. Well, you have only yourself to blame, baby.There is no one in the world who can act as brilliantly as you tonight. To tell you the truth, I had such a good time.Jesus Christ, I am hungry.What do we have for dinner? Tripe with onions. Oh great!She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.Onion tripe is my favorite.Oh, Michael, Michael, if you love me, if you have any tenderness in your hard heart, let me have a beer. Julia. Just this once.I don't often ask you for anything. Well, then, you've had such a show tonight, and I think I can't help you, but, my God, I'll have Miss Phillips to give you a good to-morrow.