Page:Gissing - The Emancipated, vol. I, 1890.djvu/97

Rh entered the dining-room, Madame Glück informed Mrs. Denyer that the English artist who was looked for had just arrived, and would in a few minutes join the company. " Mr. Marsh is here," said Mrs. Denyer aloud to her daughters, in a tone of no particular satisfaction. Madeline glanced at Miss Doran, who, however, did not seem to have heard the remark.

And, whilst the guests were still busy with their soup, Mr. Clifford Marsh presented himself. Within the doorway he stood for a moment surveying the room; with placid eye he selected Mrs. Denyer, and approached her just to shake hands; her three daughters received from him the same attention. Words Mr. Marsh had none, but he smiled as smiles the man conscious of attracting merited observation. Indeed, it was impossible not to regard Mr. Marsh with curiosity. His attire was very conventional in itself but somehow did not look like the evening uniform of common men: it sat upon him with an artistic freedom, and seemed the