‘Well,’ said Gudrun. ‘There’s nothing particular to tell. You know Fanny is FRIGHTFULLY in love with that painter, Billy Macfarlane. He was there — so Fanny spared nothing, she spent VERY freely. It was really remarkable! Of course, everybody got fearfully drunk — but in an interesting way, not like that filthy London crowd. The fact is these were all people that matter, which makes all the difference. There was a Roumanian, a fine chap. He got completely drunk, and climbed to the top of a high studio ladder, and gave the most marvellous address — really, Ursula, it was wonderful! He began in French — La vie, c’est une affaire d’ames imperiales — in a most beautiful voice — he was a fine-looking chap — but he had got into Roumanian before he had finished, and not a soul