Le Cte.

Its noon on May 14, 1960.

Aromas from La Cte Basque are wonderfully fitting with its dcor, the red leather banquettes, bright seacoast murals, and bouquets of fresh flowers: daisies, lilies, roses, daffodils.

In the kitchen, the prep work has been going on since 6 a.m.; yes, the sauces are ready. Ballets of waiters and sommeliers are everywhere, bites of Grand Marnier souffl and talk of indiscretions in high places.

Gloria Guinness arrives with a young woman (nobody knows) wearing this white cotton tunic. Obviously perfect.

Stop a moment of breathless silence flashes across the room. Truman has stopped at the table.

He looks them up and down, glancing around them, front and back, inspecting finally, a brief smile with an appreciative nod.

La Cte Sleeveless Blouse (No. 6854). Button-up tunic blouse in 100% cotton poplin. Distinctive Mandarin collar and Chinese knots down center front. Picot edge trim at arm holes. Imported.