“What work can possibly keep a woman as occupied as Portia, so that she never goes out socially, dear Miss Delorme? I’ve tried to let my daughter-in-law know that she’s being frightfully gossiped about, staying in that great house all alone, doing Lord knows what.”
“Whatever Mrs. Differdale is occupied in doing must be of a splendid and worthwhile nature. Anybody who has the honor of her acquaintance knows that," broke in Owen.
He glanced quickly about the little circle and caught the subtly ironical smile of the Russian. I could see that he was slightly disconcerted by it. "Ow-een, we must all believe you too much interest’ in the mysterious lady, if you defend her so warmly," accused Irma, shaking an index finger at him merrily.
Owen colored deeply. It was a betrayal for those who were able to read the signs, but I do not think anyone but myself and the argus-eyed princess translated that blush. Irma Tchernova did not appear pleased, for through her parted lips I could see those white teeth set tightly together.
"Mr. Edwardes is quite right, princess, to defend my niece, exactly as I did. When you know her better, you will jump to her defense at the first word of criticism," I exclaimed in quick refutal of the Russian’s innuendo.
She turned her head ever so slowly, until her long, narrow eyes were full upon me, In the growing dusk it seemed to me that red light glinted across the oriental-looking orbs, and it disturbed me, affecting me most disagreeably. I was glad when the momentary tension was broken by Alice, who suddenly thrust out one hand and made a snatch at the bonbons on the tea-table.
Her mother slapped at the child’s wrist, so that the candy tumbled helter-skelter over the embroidered tea-cloth and upon the carpet. It was the princess who intervened, her attention drawn from me to the miniature battle between mother and daughter.
“Oh, dear Mrs. Arnold, do let Alice have the bonbons! She love them so," cooed she. "And she is so thin, poor little one. If she were only like her sister, how glad I should be! But then, if she eat many bonbons, perhaps she will some time be round and rosy, eh, Alice?’’
She finished by taking a handful of the candy and filling the outstretched hands of Alice, who smirked her triumph. (Odious child! I cannot help it, even today.)
I had finished my second cup of tea by this time, and felt no inclination to remain longer. I rose to my feet and observed that I had promised to be home by 5 o’clock. Owen stood up at once and offered to accompany me, if I would allow him. Then the princess interfered, with honeyed sweetness that sickened me with an intuition of her depths of deception, for I was not deceived; I knew she did not like me.
"Let me take you both in my car!" she cried with a semblance of spontaneous enthusiasm. ‘‘Then, Ow-een, we shall both carry the dear Aunt Sophie to her home, and you shall see that Irma Andreyevna Tchernova is not kidnaped on her way back! Has not Irma the wonderful ideas?"
[TO BE CONTINUED]
