Mrs. Pendleton entered the drawing-room on tiptoe, with hand upraised.
“Well! the sky did not fall, and the train did not ditch, and the
lightning did not strike, and we are neither of us dead. And you—you
look as strapping as a West Point cadet. Fie upon your principles!”
“That is a charming tirade with which to greet an impatient lover,”
cried Boswell, with beaming face. “You are serious, of course?”
“You have heard the parable of a woman’s ‘No’?” She gave both his
outstretched hands a little shake, then retreated behind a chair and
rested both arms on its back.
“My anger is appeased, but I think I am entitled to some recompense.”
“What can he mean? Would you prefer sherry or red wine?”
“There is a draught brewed upon Olympus which the gods call nectar—”
“So sorry. We are just out. I gave the last thimbleful away an hour
ago.”
“Oh, you did! May I inquire to whom you gave it?”
“You may, indeed. And I would tell you—could I only remember.”
“Provoking—goddess! But perhaps you will allow me to look for myself.
Perchance I might find a drop or two remaining. I am willing to take
what I can get and be thankful.”
“Then you will never get much,” she thought. “The dregs are always
bitter.”
“There can be no dregs to the nectar in question.”
“And the last drop always goes to the head. I have heard it asserted
upon authority. Think of the scandal—the butler—oh, Heaven!”
“The intoxication would make me but tread the air. I should walk right
over the butler’s head. Where did you get that ring?”
“Is it not lovely? It was” (heaving a profound sigh) “the last gift of
poor dear Mr. Pendleton.”
“Indeed! Well, under the circumstances, perhaps you will not mind
removing it and wearing that of another unfortunate,” and he placed one
knee on the chair over which she leaned and produced a ring.
“Not at all. What a beauty! How did you know that the ruby was my
favourite stone?” And she bent her body backward, under pretence of
holding the stone up to the light.
“But you have a number of rubies and pearls in your possession, of which
I consider myself the rightful owner. Shall I have to call in the law to
give me mine own?”
“The pearls are sharp, and the rubies may be paste. I have the best of
the bargain.”
“I am a connoisseur on the subject of precious stones—of precious
articles of all sorts, in fact. What an outrageous coquette you are!
What is the use of keeping a man in misery?”
“Why are men always in such a hurry? If I were a man now—and an
author—I should wait for moonlight, waves breaking on rocks, and all
the rest of it.”
“All the old property business, in short. I am both a man and an author,
therefore I know the folly of delay in this short life.”
“But suppose the door should open suddenly?”
“I have been here ten minutes, and it has not opened yet.”
“But it might, you know; and the small boys of this house are an
exaggeration of all that have gone before. Ah! here comes some one. Sit
down on that chair instantly.”
Miss Decker entered and looked deprecatingly at Boswell.
“You have come at last,” she said. “We were afraid something had
happened to you. I cannot help this interruption, Jessica. Your
grandmother is here and wants to see you immediately. She has been
telegraphed for to go to Philadelphia; Mrs. Armstrong is very ill. I
would not keep her waiting.”
“Poor grandma! To think of her being obliged to go to Philadelphia in
September. Where is she?”
“In the yellow reception-room. Mr. Boswell will excuse you for a few
minutes.”
Boswell bowed, his face stamped with gloom.
“What have you done with the others?” asked Jessica, as she closed the
door.
“Mr. Severance is storming up and down the sea-room. Mr. Trent is like a
caged lion in the library; I expect to hear a crash every minute. But
both know what lawyers and dressmakers mean. Boswell will learn
something of grandmothers. But they are safe for a quarter of an hour
longer. Trust all to me.”