A young woman named Rosemary Fell is said to be constructed of pieces that are pretty but who cannot really be called beautiful when they are considered as a whole. Rosemary has been married for two years to a husband who not only adores her but is fabulously rich rather than simply comfortably wealthy.
The shop is located on Curzon Street in London. The thoroughfare is notable for being home to many British Lords and Dukes and other members of the peerage. It is also home to an antique shop at which Rosemary is shopping one winter day. Its inventory is so out of reach of even the comfortably wealthy that one can often expect to be the sole person waited on by the fawning owner. Such is the case on this day when Rosemary is captivated by a glazed enamel box that he had put aside especially for her and claims to have shown no other shoppers.
Rosemary is clearly obsessed with the box but when told it costs “28 guineas” she hesitates, thinking to herself that this is a princely sum even for a rich husband’s wife like herself. She asks the owner to hold it back for her while she makes up her mind and then makes her exit.
Outside there is rain and a cold bitter air. Also waiting for her is a woman who is thin and shadowy. She is also around the same age as Rosemary. The girl asks her if she could spare enough change so she can buy herself a cup of tea. Rosemary finds this turn of events not only extraordinary but like something out of a tragic novel. Later, when she retells the story, her friends will show shocked amazement that Rosemary had actually asked the girl to come home with her rather than simply giving her the money. Or ignoring her altogether.
The girl is resistant but Rosemary appeals to what seems to be their one common similarity. They are both women. And, after all, if Rosemary happens to be a little more fortunate, then why shouldn’t the unfortunate girl expect a show a kindness and solidarity.
When Rosemary brings the girl into her bedroom, which fulfills all expectations of the exclusive neighborhood she calls home, the young girl is bewitched. It is a struggle for Rosemary to put the young woman at ease to accept a cup of tea made by the maid. Rosemary also offers brandy alongside the tea but the girl rejects it at once, telling Rosemary she never drinks alcohol. Sandwiches arrive with the tea and Rosemary insists the girl fill her empty stomach with both.
The effect of the unexpected lunch feast is remarkable upon the girl. Afterward, she appears almost to be a completely new being to Rosemary with her dark lips, bright eyes, and newly languorous demeanor. Rosemary asks her when she last enjoyed a meal but is interrupted by the arrival of her husband, Philip, before she hears the answer. When she attempts an introduction the girl claims she is one Miss Smith. After commenting on the beastly nature of the weather outside, Philip asks Miss Smith to excuse them while he speaks in private to Rosemary in the library.
A very confused Philip asks his wife what the presence of this creature in his home means and what she plans to do. Rosemary replies that she is going to be nice to her and treat her and make her feel…something, but what it is she cannot put into words. Philip insists that whatever it is she plans to do simply cannot be done. Rosemary responds by asking why not but Philip’s only reply is that the girl is pretty. When Rosemary asks if he really thinks so, Philip drives the point home hard, insisting that she is not just pretty but so absolutely lovely he was almost bowled over by the initial sight of her.
Rosemary’s outburst begins with calling her husband absurd before moving onto an interior explosion in which she cannot actually believe he thinks Miss Smith is so awfully pretty. She reaches into her desk and pulls out five one-pound notes of currency. She looks at them, has second thoughts, and put three of the bills back into her drawer.
Half an hour later Miss Smith is gone and Philip is still in the library when Rosemary enters. After Philip replies with a snide remark upon being informed the girl will not be joining them for dinner as previously planned, Rosemary explains she gave her a little money and sent her on her way. She then proceeds to tell her husband all about the exquisite box at the antique store, informs him of the exorbitant price, and asks if she may buy it for herself.
Philip answers yes, again showing a propensity for snideness in the manner of his reply even when speaking to his wife about herself. Thinking that she really hadn’t wanted to inquire about the box she presses her head to his chest and asks the question that was really on her mind. Did her husband think she was pretty as well.
