Page:The Portrait of a Lady (1882).djvu/19

11 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 11 hard ; whereupon, without hesitation, she stooped and caught him in her hands, holding him face to face while he continued his joyous demonstration. His master now had had time to follow and to see that Bunchie's new friend was a tall girl in a black dress, who at first sight looked pretty. She was bare-headed, as if she were staying in the house a fact which conveyed per- plexity to the son of its master, conscious of that immunity from visitors which had for some time been rendered necessary by the latter's ill-health. Meantime the two other gentlemen had also taken note of the new-comer. " Dear me, who is that strange woman 3 " Mr. Touchett had asked. "Perhaps it is Mrs. Touchett's niece the independent young lady," Lord Warburton suggested. " I think she must be, from the way she handles the dog." The collie, too, had now allowed his attention to be diverted, and he trotted toward the young lady in the doorway, slowly setting his tail in motion as he went. " But where is my wife, then 1 " murmured the old man. " I suppose the young lady has left her somewhere : that's a part of the independence." The girl spoke to Ralph, smiling, whi)e she still held up the terrier. " Is this your little dog, sir? " " He was mine a moment ago ; but you have suddenly acquired a remarkable air of property in him." " Couldn't we share him 1 " asked the girl. " He's such a little darling." Ralph looked at her a moment ; she was unexpectedly pretty. " You may have him altogether," he said. The young lady seemed to have a great deal of confidence, both in herself and in others ; but this abrupt generosity made her blush. " I ought to tell you that I am probably your cousin/' she murmured, putting down the dog. "And here's another ! " she added quickly, as the collie came up. " Probably 1 " the young man exclaimed, laughing. " I sup- posed it was quite settled ! Have you come with my mother 1 " " Yes, half-an-hour ago." " And has she deposited you and departed again 1 " " No, she went straight to her room ; and she told me that, if I should see you, I was to say to you that you must come to her there at a quarter to seven." The young man looked at his watch. " Thank you very much; I shall be punctual." And then he looked at his cousin.