The maid came in again with a tea-tray, and they had no further intimate
talk. The squire became restless and walked about the room while he
drank his cup. When he had finished, he went away to his own, and Vera
was left to dress.
Her maid was still putting the final touches when there came a low knock
at the door. She turned sharply from her mirror.
"Is that you, Juliet? Come in! Come in!"
Quietly the door opened, and Juliet entered.
"My dear!" said Vera, and met her impulsively in the middle of the room.
"I had to come up," Juliet said. "I hope you don't mind, but neither Dick
nor I can manage to feel like ordinary guests in this house."
She was smiling as she spoke. The white scarf was thrown back from her
hair. The gracious womanliness of her struck Vera afresh with its charm.
She held her and looked at her. "My dear Juliet, it does me good to see
you. How is Dick? And how is Columbus?"
"They are both downstairs," Juliet said, "and one is working too hard
and the other not hard enough. I had to bring dear Christopher. You
don't mind?"
"Of course not, my dear. I would have sent him a special invitation if I
had thought.
Pages:
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375