THE
CRYSTAL CUP
By GERTRUDE ATHERTON
Author of
“Black Oxen,” “The Avalanche,” “Sisters-in-Law,”
“Sleeping Fires,” etc.
Into a crystal cup the dusky wine
I pour, and, musing at so rich a shrine,
I watch the star that haunts its ruddy gloom.
—George Sterling
A. L. BURT COMPANY
| Publishers | New York |
Published by arrangement with Boni & Liveright
Printed in U. S. A.
Copyright, 1925, by
Boni & Liveright, Inc.
Printed in the United States of America
PART I
THE CRYSTAL CUP
CHAPTER I
“Old age will be served,” said Mrs. Carteret grimly.“But I suppose you think I am a long time dying.”
Gita made a face in the heavy shade of the bed-hangings,but replied politely: “I am glad to be here,grandmother, and when it’s my turn to die I’ll take allthe time I choose.”
She had a crisp clear voice and a staccato delivery,which she made no attempt to modify in the sick-room,and the old lady frowned.
“I never cared for your mother, but she had a softlow voice, ‘an excellent thing in woman.’ Why did younot model your own upon it? And you do all you can todistort and destroy the Carteret beauty in your attemptto look like a boy. The Carteret women were all dashingbrunettes, but feminine. Otherwise they never wouldhave had men crawling at their feet, generation aftergeneration.”
“If men crawled at my feet—which they don’t do thesedays, anyhow—I’d kick them out of the way. And ifI were a man myself—and I wish to God I were—I’dsee wo