Doctor's Orders Read Online Free

arresting picture, and when they went into the dining room, she was a magnet for all eyes. The way she tossed her silvery hair behind her shoulders, the way she undulated on her high heels across the room to their table by the window, showed that she knew it. At that moment, Diana knew what she meant by her use of the word underdressed. She knew that she herself, in her charming grey-blue dress, would not have attracted the attention of everybody in the room; and the next moment, she knew quite surely that she did not want to attract the kind of attention that Anthea attracted.
    Anthea was also very quick at making acquaintances. When they sat in the lounge after dinner with the coffee tray before them, she produced her gold cigarette case, put a cigarette between her very red lips, and then looked about her helplessly for a light. She had a little gold lighter in her evening bag, but she was not wrong in thinking that she need not produce it. A young man appeared at her side before even the coffee waiter could get there. “Allow me,” he said, and Anthea smiled so charmingly on him that he was emboldened to stay and pass a few introductory remarks about the weather, her journey and the hotel. He knew the town and the neighborhood well, and Anthea said he must tell them what were the things not to miss seeing, and soon he was seated with them, and introductions had taken place all around.
    A little later, two friends of his, seeing him thus amicably conversing with two girls, one quite attractive and the other positively dazzling, came to join him; and soon Diana and Anthea were in the middle of a lively group, and liqueurs had joined the coffee on the little table before them, and the beautiful gold cigarette case went round and round. Then somebody suggested that a walk by the lake would be very nice, and Anthea agreed at once.
    “You must have a coat, Anthea,” said Diana immediately.
    “It doesn’t matter,” said Anthea.
    “Yes. It will be cold out there. You must have a coat. I will get it for you.”
    They all waited politely while the coat was brought. It was a coat worth waiting for, of silver mink. The young man who had been so prompt in offering his lighter let his eyes linger on its beautiful softness. He had offered his lighter because she was a pretty girl, prettily dressed, and he was a little bored; but the casual way in which she treated such valuable possessions as mink coats and gold cases made him think that she would be worth cultivating for more reasons than one.
    It was heavenly walking by the lake, thought Diana. If only she had been alone, or with Anthea even, but the escorting young men, all wanting to talk to Anthea, spoiled it for her. Anthea was expert at the light stumble, and blaming it on her high-heeled shoes, so that a strong masculine arm should be available for her support. They returned to the hotel with Anthea holding the arms of two of the young men as if she had known them for months. They stood on the drive outside the main entrance, talking for a few minutes.
    “Too soon to go in yet, ” said one young man.
    “Much too soon,” agreed Anthea.
    Diana decided that now was the moment to be firm. There had been no occasion yet for any trial of strength with Anthea; but, unless she were to be a mere appendage, trailing along behind Anthea, and half a dozen escorts, she must make herself clear at the outset, make her presence felt, So, wondering if she would sound firm enough, and hoping so, she said clearly:
    “No, it is not too soon for you, Anthea. It is high time you were in bed. You have had a tiring day, so say goodnight to everybody and come along.”
    Anthea turned and looked at her in astonishment. Their eyes met. Diana returned the look smilingly and confidently.
    “Oh, please, mademoiselle, do not take her away from us yet,” said one of the escorts.
    Diana smiled on him, too.
    “But I must,” she said. “Anthea has not been very well, and must have a lot of rest.