up by Diana's thoughts, the young actress swept into Grand Central Station. She seemed to think the railroad platform, lit from above by both hanging lamps and skylights, was just another stage, a four-story-high set designed specifically to show off her dramatic entrance.
Diana could not help admiring the performance. And the costume Lavinia had chosen for it. She wore a fur-trimmed mauve traveling outfit in the latest style. A female passenger about to board the Chicago Limited caught sight of the fashionable attire and sighed with envy, no doubt imagining herself in Lavinia's place, traveling the country, seeing the world.
As she drew close to the other woman, Diana saw that the actress's face had been carefully painted and was artfully arranged into a smile. The effect was only slightly marred by the fact that wet snow had pocked her veil, adhering it in patches to her skin.
When she recognized Diana, Lavinia's mouth pursed with displeasure. "What are you doing here?" she demanded in her breathy, little-girl voice. The look in her eyes was one of intense dislike.
The hiss of steam and the loud clanging of bells momentarily drowned out Diana's answer. One train pulled out. Another was coming in. Conductors shouted, adding to the din.
In order to be heard, Diana stepped closer. With only inches between them, she could see that the dye in Lavinia's veil had begun to run. Mottled streaks of mauve decorated the actress's scowling face.
"I came to apologize," Diana said in a rush. "I know I cannot make up to you the harm that has been done to your reputation, but I want you to know that I never meant that story to appear in print."
"Who told you about me in the first place?"
That was the one question Diana did not want to answer. "Your relationship with Toddy was hardly a secret," she equivocated, thankful that the time for Lavinia to board the train was fast approaching.
Right on cue, Nathan Todd called for the members of his company to gather for departure. Diana watched as the first to respond, Charles Underly, did a classic double-take at the sight of her. Scowling, he gripped the top of his walking stick more tightly. No doubt he thought she had a nerve showing up here after all she'd said about his performance in print.
To Underly, at least, Diana did not feel she owed any explanation or apology. She'd given her honest evaluation of his acting ability -- his portrayal of Ferdinand had been "bombastic and unbelievable." And to confirm her assessment, Underly had gotten even worse reviews from other New York newspapers.
"Cow," Lavinia muttered, drawing Diana's attention back to her.
The epithet had been directed at Jerusha Fildale, whose entrance caused a stir sufficient to put Lavinia's in the shade. The long-time star of Toddy's company, Jerusha knew how to command attention. This morning she did so by sporting a hat which seemed to be a recreation of an eagle's nest, complete with bird. Diana wondered how she had kept it from being drenched or blown away in the gale outside.
Intent upon upstaging her rival, Lavinia turned her back on Diana and sashayed across the platform. Every male eye in the vicinity followed her bouncing bustle. Her tight-waisted corset tipped her forward at a highly suggestive angle.
That, Diana thought, was something she would not mention in her column, although she would put in a notice about Toddy's tour. Careless comments about the morals of one actress slandered them all and most, as Diana well knew, were as upright as any women obliged to work for a living.
Better than some.
As Diana scanned the crowd, she had to smile. People's reactions were so predictable. Only three females unconnected to the theatrical company waited to board the train to Hartford. One looked fascinated, the second repulsed, and the third envious. The faces of the men revealed an equal diversity of expression -- here salacious speculation, there desire, and there --
There, Diana realized
Diana could not help admiring the performance. And the costume Lavinia had chosen for it. She wore a fur-trimmed mauve traveling outfit in the latest style. A female passenger about to board the Chicago Limited caught sight of the fashionable attire and sighed with envy, no doubt imagining herself in Lavinia's place, traveling the country, seeing the world.
As she drew close to the other woman, Diana saw that the actress's face had been carefully painted and was artfully arranged into a smile. The effect was only slightly marred by the fact that wet snow had pocked her veil, adhering it in patches to her skin.
When she recognized Diana, Lavinia's mouth pursed with displeasure. "What are you doing here?" she demanded in her breathy, little-girl voice. The look in her eyes was one of intense dislike.
The hiss of steam and the loud clanging of bells momentarily drowned out Diana's answer. One train pulled out. Another was coming in. Conductors shouted, adding to the din.
In order to be heard, Diana stepped closer. With only inches between them, she could see that the dye in Lavinia's veil had begun to run. Mottled streaks of mauve decorated the actress's scowling face.
"I came to apologize," Diana said in a rush. "I know I cannot make up to you the harm that has been done to your reputation, but I want you to know that I never meant that story to appear in print."
"Who told you about me in the first place?"
That was the one question Diana did not want to answer. "Your relationship with Toddy was hardly a secret," she equivocated, thankful that the time for Lavinia to board the train was fast approaching.
Right on cue, Nathan Todd called for the members of his company to gather for departure. Diana watched as the first to respond, Charles Underly, did a classic double-take at the sight of her. Scowling, he gripped the top of his walking stick more tightly. No doubt he thought she had a nerve showing up here after all she'd said about his performance in print.
To Underly, at least, Diana did not feel she owed any explanation or apology. She'd given her honest evaluation of his acting ability -- his portrayal of Ferdinand had been "bombastic and unbelievable." And to confirm her assessment, Underly had gotten even worse reviews from other New York newspapers.
"Cow," Lavinia muttered, drawing Diana's attention back to her.
The epithet had been directed at Jerusha Fildale, whose entrance caused a stir sufficient to put Lavinia's in the shade. The long-time star of Toddy's company, Jerusha knew how to command attention. This morning she did so by sporting a hat which seemed to be a recreation of an eagle's nest, complete with bird. Diana wondered how she had kept it from being drenched or blown away in the gale outside.
Intent upon upstaging her rival, Lavinia turned her back on Diana and sashayed across the platform. Every male eye in the vicinity followed her bouncing bustle. Her tight-waisted corset tipped her forward at a highly suggestive angle.
That, Diana thought, was something she would not mention in her column, although she would put in a notice about Toddy's tour. Careless comments about the morals of one actress slandered them all and most, as Diana well knew, were as upright as any women obliged to work for a living.
Better than some.
As Diana scanned the crowd, she had to smile. People's reactions were so predictable. Only three females unconnected to the theatrical company waited to board the train to Hartford. One looked fascinated, the second repulsed, and the third envious. The faces of the men revealed an equal diversity of expression -- here salacious speculation, there desire, and there --
There, Diana realized
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