E Phillips Oppenheim

Berenice E Phillips Oppenheim

ou may not care for the play," Ellison said eagerly. "You are of the old world, and Isteinism to you will simply spell chaos and vulgarity. But the woman! well, you will see her! I don't want to prejudice you by praises which you would certainly think extravagant! I will say nothing."Matravers smiled gravely as he took his seat in the box and looked out with some wonder at the ill-lit, half-empty theatre."I am afraid," he said, "that I am very much out of place here, yet do not imagine that I bring with me any personal bias whatever. I know nothing of the play, and Isteinism is merely a phrase to me. To-night I have no individuality. I am a critic.""So much depends," Ellison remarked, "upon the point of view. I am afraid that you are the last man in the world to have any sympathy with the decadent.""I do not properly understand the use of the word 'decadent, '" Matravers said. "But you need not be alarmed as to my attitude. Whatever my own gods may be, I am no slave to them.