A tumultuous, gay, joyous, temperamental, stormy, violent story of 24 hours in Madame Holbein's school of the ballet in London, a story that reveals new facets of Rumer Godden's genius. Here, perhaps, is the first of her stories which can be recommended to young people, as introduction to a gifted novelist, a great stylist. The story revolves around Madame, on the verge of celebrating her 50th anniversary, but then- as ever-demanding the center of the stage. There's a cross sectioning of her pupils, her associates, her graduate students, returned to pay tribute to her. There's back-biting, jealousy, scheming; there's romance; and there's the back stage gossip of the ballet school which anyone interested in the subject will love.