Her whole being dilated in an atmosphere of luxury; it was the background she required, the only climate she could breathe in.

But the luxury of others was not what she wanted.

A few years ago it had sufficed her: she had taken her daily meed of pleasure without caring who provided it.

Now she was beginning to chafe at the obligations it imposed, to feel herself a mere pensioner on the splendour which had once seemed to belong to her.

There were even moments when she was conscious of having to pay her way.
For a long time she had refused to play bridge.