Home › George Du Maurier › George Du Maurier: Billie

George Du Maurier: Billie

On a showery April day the three friends were in the studio, each occupied to his taste, Taffy vigorously swinging a pair of Indian clubs, the Laird sitting before his easel, painting; and Billie, kneeling on the broad divan before his easel, painting; and Billie, kneeling on the broad divan before the great studio window, was gazing out over the roofs of Paris, speculating upon the future of himself and his friends.

These speculations were rudely interrupted by a loud knocking at the door, and two men entered; first a tall, bony individual of any age between thirty and forty-five, of Jewish aspect, well-featured, but sinister. He had bold, brilliant black eyes, with long, heavy lids. He went by the name of Svengali, spoke fluent French, but with a German accent. His companion was a little, swarthy young man, possibly a gipsy; under his arm he carried a fiddle and bow.