"He's furious that any one should offer anything. I thought when he
found out what they were worth he might be tempted; but he'd rather see
me starve than part with one of his grand-father's snuff-boxes."
"Well, he knows now what the tapestries are worth. I offered more than
Fleischhauer advised."
"Yes; but you were in too much of a hurry."
"I've got to be; I'm going back next week."
She felt her eyes cloud with disappointment. "Oh, why do you? I hoped
you might stay on."
They looked at each other uncertainly a moment; then he dropped his
voice to say: "Even if I did, I probably shouldn't see anything of you."
"Why not? Why won't you come and see me? I've always wanted to be
friends."
He came the next day and found in her drawing-room two ladies whom she
introduced as her sisters-in-law. The ladies lingered on for a long
time, sipping their tea stiffly and exchanging low-voiced remarks while
Undine talked with Moffatt; and when they left, with small sidelong bows
in his direction.