Page:What Maisie Knew (Chicago & New York, Herbert S. Stone & Co., 1897).djvu/392

freedom, loom larger; and it was this mighty mass that once more led her companions, bewildered and scattered, to exchange with each other, as through a thickening veil, confused and ineffectual signs. They clung together, at least, on the common ground of unpreparedness, and Maisie watched without relief the havoc of wonder in Mrs. Wix. It had reduced her to perfect impotence, and, but that gloom was black upon her, she sat as if fascinated by Mrs. Beale's high style. It had plunged her into a long deep hush; for what had happened was the thing she had least allowed for and before which the particular rigor she had worked up could only grow limp and sick. Sir Claude was to have reappeared with his accomplice or without her; never, never his accomplice without him. Mrs. Beale had gained, apparently, by this time, an advantage she could pursue: she looked at the droll, dumb figure with jesting reproach. "You really won't shake hands with me? Never mind; you'll come round!" She put the matter to no test, going on immediately and, instead of offering her hand, making it, with a pretty gesture that her head bent to, reach a long pin that played a part in her back hair. "Are hats