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222 of little reserves of force that make them very powerful in life! . . . And, presently, when Van Vreeswijck is gone, she will rave at Van der Welcke if he so much as blows his nose; and all her little reserve-forces will have vanished; and she will be left without the smallest self-control. . . . Still, in any case, she is most charming; and I have had a capital dinner and am feeling very pleasant. . . .”

The bell rang and, through the open door leading to the hall, Constance and Paul heard voices at the front-door:

“That’s Adolphine’s voice!” said Constance.

“And Carolientje’s,” said Paul. . ..

“Oh, then I won’t stay!” they heard Adolphine say, loudly, shrilly.

Constance rose from her chair. She thought it a bore that Adolphine should call just in this evening, but she was bent upon never allowing Adolphine to see that she was unwelcome:

“Excuse me, Mr. van Vreeswijck, for a moment. I hear my sister. . . .”

She went out into the passage:

“How are you, Adolphine?”

“How are you, Constance?” said Adolphine.

She knew that Constance was giving a little dinner that evening and she had come prying on purpose, though she pretended to know nothing:

“I just looked in,” she said, “as I was passing with Carolientje; I saw a light in your windows and thought you must be at home. But your servant says that you’re having a dinner-party!” said