Page:The Fruit of the Tree (Wharton 1907).djvu/457

Rh “I’m so delighted to hear that you’re expecting Justine,” began Mrs. Dressel as the two ladies passed into the drawing-room.

“Ah, you’ve heard too?” Mrs. Amherst rejoined, enthroning her visitor in one of the monumental plush armchairs beneath the threatening weight of the Bay of Naples.

“I hadn’t till this moment; in fact I ﬂew in to ask for news, and on the door-step there was such a striking-looking young man enquiring for her, and I heard the parlour-maid say she was arriving tomorrow.”

“A young man? Some one you didn't know?” Striking apparitions of the male sex were of infrequent occurrence at Hanaford, and Mrs. Amherst’s unabated interest in the movement of life caused her to dwell on this statement.

“Oh, no—I’m sure he was a stranger. Extremely slight and pale, with remarkable eyes. He was so disappointed—he seemed sure of ﬁnding her.”

“Well, no doubt he’ll come back tomorrow.—You know we’re expecting the whole party,” added Mrs. Amherst, to whom the imparting of good news was always an irresistible temptation.

Mrs. Dressel’s interest deepened at once. “Really? Mr. Langhope too?”

“Yes. It’s a great pleasure to my son.”

“It must be! I’m so glad. I suppose in a way it [ 441 ]