As to the latter I am still in
doubt. At all events I resolved to withdraw Carlotta from his
influence, put her in fresh surroundings, and allow her to mix
more freely among men and women, so as to divert and possibly
improve her mind.
I perceive that Carlotta is becoming an occupation. Well, she is
quite as profitable as collecting postage-stamps, or golf, or
amateur photography.
I have spent a pleasant month in this little place. It is the
mouth of a gorge in the midst of a cliff-bound coast. The bay,
but a quarter of a mile in sweep, is shut in at each end by a
projecting wall of cliff cut by a natural arch. Half the shingle
beach is given up to fisherfolk and their boats and tarred Noah's
arks where they keep their nets. The other half suddenly rises
into a digue or terrace on which is built a primitive casino, and
below the terrace are the bathing-cabins. We are staying at the
most spotlessly clean of all clean French hotels. There are no
carpets on the stairs; but if one mounts them in muddy boots, an
untiring chambermaid emerges from a lair below, with hot water
and scrubbing-brush and smilingly removes the traces of one's
passage.
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