Chapter XVI

by William Somerset Maugham

　　What followed showed that Mrs. Strickland was a womanof character. Whatever anguish she suffered she concealed.She saw shrewdly that the world is quickly bored by therecital of misfortune, and willingly avoids the sight of distress.Whenever she went out -- and compassion for her misadventuremade her friends eager to entertain her -- she bore ademeanour that was perfect. She was brave, but not too obviously;cheerful, but not brazenly; and she seemed moreanxious to listen to the troubles of others than to discussher own. Whenever she spoke of her husband it was with pity.Her attitude towards him at first perplexed me. One day shesaid to me:"You know, I'm convinced you were mistaken about Charles being alone.From what I've been able to gather from certainsources that I can't tell you, I know that he didn't leaveEngland by himself.""In that case he has a positive genius for covering up his tracks."She looked away and slightly coloured."What I mean is, if anyone talks to you about it, please don'tcontradict it if they say he eloped with somebody.""Of course not."She changed the conversation as though it were a matter towhich she attached no importance. I discovered presently thata peculiar story was circulating among her friends. They saidthat Charles Strickland had become infatuated with a Frenchdancer, whom he had first seen in the ballet at the Empire,and had accompanied her to Paris. I could not find out howthis had arisen, but, singularly enough, it created muchsympathy for Mrs. Strickland, and at the same time gave hernot a little prestige. This was not without its use in thecalling which she had decided to follow. Colonel MacAndrewhad not exaggerated when he said she would be penniless, andit was necessary for her to earn her own living as quickly asshe could. She made up her mind to profit by her acquaintancewith so many writers, and without loss of time began to learnshorthand and typewriting. Her education made it likely thatshe would be a typist more efficient than the average, and herstory made her claims appealing. Her friends promised to sendher work, and took care to recommend her to all theirs.The MacAndrews, who were childless and in easy circumstances,arranged to undertake the care of the children, and Mrs.Strickland had only herself to provide for. She let her flatand sold her furniture. She settled in two tiny rooms inWestminster, and faced the world anew. She was so efficientthat it was certain she would make a success of the adventure.