But Gudrun was silent for some moments, before she replied:

‘Do you really want it, Ursula?’

‘I want to read it,’ said Ursula.

‘Certainly,’ said Gudrun.

Even now, she could not admit, to Ursula, that she wanted to keep it, as a memento, or a symbol. But Ursula knew, and was not pleased. So the subject was switched off.

‘What did you do in Paris?’ asked Ursula.

‘Oh,’ said Gudrun laconically — ’the usual things. We had a FINE party one night in Fanny Bath’s studio.’

‘Did you? And you and Gerald were there! Who else? Tell me about it.’