Doctor's Orders by Eleanor Farnes Read Free Book Online Page B

right, I’ll do that,” she said. “And you go down to dinner, and then come back and tell me the worst; who is staying here and what it’s like and so on ... I don’t know what we’re going to do with our evening dresses—we certainly won’t want them here.”
    So Diana went down to dinner alone, and was very glad of that fact, because she was free to be openly interested in everything that went on round her. In the dining room, too, she had the feeling that this was more like a home than a hotel, in spite of the number of the tables; and everything was cosy in spite of the amount of carved wood about. The wooden chairs were hand-carved, but furnished with comfortable cushions, while the corner tables and some of those near the walls had settees to accommodate the diners. The hand-woven linen with the pretty patterns was again in evidence as tablecloths, and Diana suspected that many of the long winter evenings up here were spent in weaving and carving. The wide windows were covered now by their curtains, but Diana knew that they would reveal an absorbing panorama by day.
    There were several other guests, but as yet the hotel was by no means full. With customary courtesy, each fresh arrival to the dining room bowed to Diana and wished her good evening. She felt a glow of appreciation. After a while an old lady came into the room and made her way to a small table near a window; the short distance interrupted by several pauses, as people at the other tables spoke to her. She had a beautifully upright carriage and an undoubtedly grande-dame manner, speaking to them with a charming graciousness which Diana thought was perfectly genuine. This served to remind Diana that, so far, she had not seen one of the rather raffish type of person so much attracted by Anthea at the Splendide, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It would be so much easier to look after Anthea without these young men to tempt her to be foolish; though she did not attempt to deceive herself about Anthea’s probable reaction. Anthea would be bored, and, being bored, she would be disagreeable. Diana occupied herself in wondering what she could find for Anthea to do, for Anthea to be interested in. It did not occur to her to wonder what she would do, or be interested in, for so many things interested Diana; and she and boredom were only on nodding acquaintance.
    The little waitress came to Diana as she was waiting for her coffee.
    “Madame de Luzy sends her compliments and asks if mademoiselle would like to take coffee with her.”
    Diana looked up in quick surprise and saw that the old lady was smiling at her. She rose at once, and went to her table, seating herself at Madame’s invitation.
    “I saw that you are alone, and I know that you are a new arrival, and I thought it might be a little strange and lonely for you.”
    “How kind of you. I am not alone here, really, I have a young friend here; but she was tired and had her dinner in bed. So I have the privilege of having coffee with you.”
    “A very pretty speech from one of the younger generation, indeed. I am sorry your friend is tired—she will be here for the benefit of her health, I expect?”
    “Yes,” said Diana, surprised that it should be guessed.
    Madame de Luzy smiled.
    “Oh, it is not unusual,” she said. “Many of us come for the same reason.”
    “Not you, I hope, Madame?”
    “Originally, yes; but now I come because I love the place, and spend two or three months of every summer here. Besides, it still does me good—there is nothing like the mountain air. But you yourself? You don’t need the mountain air?”
    “I don’t need it, Madame, at least not for that reason—but I enjoy it.”
    “You are from England?”
    “Yes.”
    “In summer, of course, many thousands of your countrymen come for holidays here; but not to this place. A few, of course, but usually not. There are no amusements but such as people make for themselves. It is a little inaccessible and remote.