Love in a Cloud: A Comedy in Filigree

Love in a Cloud / A Comedy in Filigree by Arlo BatesTHE MISCHIEF OF A MAIDNo my dear May I positively will not hear another word about 'Love in a Cloud.' I am tired to death of the very sound of its stupid name.Oh Mrs. Harbinger May Calthorpe responded eagerly defensive it isn't a stupid name.Mrs. Harbinger settled herself back into the pile of gay cushions in the corner of the sofa and went on without heeding the interruption:—I have heard nothing but 'Love in a Cloud' 'Love in a Cloud' until it gives me a feeling of nausea. Nobody talks of anything else.May nodded her head triumphantly a bright sparkle in her brown eyes.That only shows what a perfectly lovely book it is she declared.Mrs. Harbinger laughed and bent forward to arrange a ribbon at May's throat.I don't care if it is the loveliest book ever written she responded; I won't have it stuffed down my throat morning noon and night. Why if you'll believe it my husband who never reads novels not only read it but actually kept awake over it and after that feat he'll talk of it for months.Pretty May Calthorpe leaned forward with more animation than the mere discussion of an anonymous novel seemed to call for and caught one of her hostess's hands in both her own.Oh did Mr. Harbinger like it? she asked. I am so interested to know what he thinks of it.You never will know from me my dear was the cool response. I've forbidden him to speak of it. I tell you that I am bored to death with the old thing.May started up suddenly from the sofa where she had been sitting beside Mrs. Harbinger. With rather an offended air she crossed to the fireplace and began to arrange her hat before the mirror over the mantel. Mrs. Harbinger smiling to herself gave her attention to setting in order the cups on the tea-table before her. The sun of the April afternoon came in through the window and from the polished floor of the drawing-room was reflected in bright patches on the ceiling; the brightness seemed to gather about the young girlish face which looked out from the glass with red lips and willful brown hair in tendrils over the white forehead. Yet as she faced her reflection May pouted and put on the look of one aggrieved.I am sorry I mentioned the book if you are so dreadfully against it she observed stiffly. I was only going to tell you a secret about the author.Mrs. Harbinger laughed lightly flashing a comical grimace at her visitor's back.There you go again like everybody else! Do you suppose May that there is anybody I know who hasn't told me a secret about the author? Why I'm in the confidence of at least six persons who cannot deny that they wrote it.May whirled around swiftly leaving her reflection so suddenly that it offended as quickly turned its back on her.Who are they? she demanded.Well the other answered quizzically Mrs. Croydon for one.Mrs. Croydon! Why nobody could dream that she wrote it!CONTENTS1. The Mischief of a Maid2. The Madness of a Man3. The Babble of a Tea4. The Tickling of an Author5. The Blazing of Rank6. The Mischief of a Widow7. The Counsel of a Mother8. The Test of Love9. The Mischief of a Gentleman10. The Business of a Clubman11. The Game of Cross-Purposes12. The Wasting of Requests13. The Wile of a Woman14. The Concealing of Secrets15. The Mischief of a Letter16. The Duty of a Son17. The Business of a Lover18. The Mischief of Men19. The Cruelty of Love20. The Faithfulness of a Friend21. The Mischief of a Fiancé22. The Cooing of Turtle-Doves23. The Business of a Muse24. The Mischief of a Cad25. The Waking of a Spinster26. The Wooing of a Widow27. The Climax of Comedy28. The Unclouding of Love