The bodice of her dress opened in a
surprising V, displaying the satin texture of her neck and shoulders,
and enhancing the barbaric character of her appearance. Her jet black
hair was confined by no band or comb, but protruded Bishareen-like
around the shapely head. Without doubt, this was the Lady of the
Poppies--the original of the picture.
"Dear friends," said Olaf van Noord, taking the girl's hand, and walking
into the studio, "permit me to present my model!"
Following, came a slightly built man who carried himself with a
stoop; an olive faced man, who squinted frightfully, and who dressed
immaculately.
"What a most... EXTRAORDINARY-looking creature!" whispered Denise Ryland
to Helen. "She has undoubted attractions of... a hellish sort... if I
may use... the term."
"She is the strangest looking girl I have ever seen in my life," replied
Helen, who found herself unable to turn her eyes away from Olaf van
Noord's model. "Surely she is not a professional model!"
The chatty reporter (his name was Crockett) confided to Helen Cumberly:
"She is not exactly a professional model, I think, Miss Cumberly, but
she is one of the van Noord set, and is often to be seen in the more
exclusive restaurants, and sometimes in the Cafe Royal.
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