2

The party was over and outside the hotel poured a bevy of young men and women, laughing, talking and yawning a little. It was two o clock in the morning when Raine drove back to her Knightsbridge home in the rolls hired by her grandmother. She was neither laughing or talking. She looked pale and sad. Rose Oliventti, who was Raine's mother was in a good humor because Raine hasn't spent time with that man as she occasionally called Clifford. And rather cattishly she said: 'Did u see Clifford Culver with the pretty fair girl in yellow, Raine? He was driving her home. Did u notice his Jaguar sports car, Armand?' she turned to the young Frenchman who was seated opposite Raine, looking not at the streets of London through which they moved but at the sorrowful face of the young lovely girl. Now, as her mom mentioned Clifford's name, Raine looked up. In a sharp little voice she said: 'I don't know that girl. I wonder who she is'. 'A last year debutante like yourself, my dear'. Said her mother. Lilias Fitzbourne, don't u remember? Daughter of the Fitzbourne banker. Mr Culver always chooses young women with money behind them' . 'Mummy!' Raine uttered the name in a low angry voice that quivered with resentment. The Comtesse(Raine's Grandma) sighed and tried to make things better by plunging into a conversation about the forthcoming Coronation day. It would be unforgettable she said. Mrs oliventt had not taken seats so They were going to content themselves with watching the TV in their Knightsbridge flat. But if there were any seats going begging, she might get a couple and send Raine and Armand. Armand's eyes lit up. 'That would be magnificent', he exclaimed. Raine said nothing. She was still quivering with the jealous anger evoked by her mother's deliberate attempt to blacken Clifford's name and character. She was agonised too, by the thought of the tall fair Lilias Fitzbourne being driven home in Cliff's Jaguar.