Page:The Awkward Age (New York, Harper and Brothers, 1899).djvu/109

 MR. LONGDON

X

Mitchy arrived exactly at the hour, it was quite by design and on a calculation—over and above the little pleasure it might give him—of ten minutes clear with his host, whom it rarely befell him to see alone. He had a theory of something special to go into, of a plummet to sink or a feeler to put forth; his state of mind, in short, was diplomatic and anxious. But his hopes had a drop as he crossed the threshold. His precaution had only assured him the company of a stranger, for the person in the room, to whom the servant announced him, was not old Van. On the other hand this gentleman would clearly be old—what was it? the fellow Vanderbank had made it a matter of such importance he should "really know." But were they then simply to have tea there together? No; the candidate for Mr. Mitchett's acquaintance, as if quickly guessing his apprehension, mentioned on the spot that their entertainer would be with them: he had just come home in a hurry, fearing he was late, and then had rushed off to make a change. "Fortunately," said the speaker, who offered his explanation as if he had had it on his mind—" fortunately the ladies haven't yet come."

"Oh, there are to be ladies?" Mr. Mitchett genially replied. 99