Exit a Dictator by E. Phillips Oppenheim

There was, without a doubt, a savour of comedy in the meeting of Anna Prestnoff and Olga Grodin next day. Unfortunately, there was no one present to appreciate it. They neither of them attempted any of the usual courtesies. Anna did not remove her hands from the little astrakhan muff she was carrying, and Olga Grodin did not even trouble to rise from the divan upon which she was lying. She pointed to a chair.

"So you are the little scene painter whom Alexander took out to dinner the other night," she observed. "Sit with your face to the light, there, will you?" she added. "I should like to look at you."