An hour before Mrs. Lambert commenced her toilet, Mrs. Carter entered her own private sitting-room in full dress, ready for her duties as a hostess. Her brother had sent up word that he wished to speak with her before the guests began to arrive, and she was waiting for him with some impatience, for the grand epoch was drawing nigh, and she was rather anxious about the state of affairs below. She was fanning herself with vigor, wondering in her heart what Ross could have to say, when the artist came in.
Then all the good woman’s impatience vanished, and she came forward to meet him with her usual genial warmth.
“Now, what is it you want to say, Ross? Of course, whatever it is, I am ready to do it; but we must talk fast, or there’s no knowing what will go on down stairs.”
“Let your people take care of that, sister, they will know what is proper,” said Ross, smiling kindly upon the good woman, who laughed in return.
“You see I did not wear them after all; just a little cluster here, to gather in the black lace—that don’t amount to anything, you know.”
Here Mrs. Carter glanced down at her silver-grey satin and soft black lace with something like a sigh. It was not at all the toilet she had decided on, but Ross, with suggestive insinuations, had toned down the superb conglomeration of lace, satin and jewels, into this rich, matronly dress, which really made Mrs. Carter look almost aristocratic.
“Nothing could be more becoming,” said Ross, in reply to her half-reproachful glance, “I am so pleased that you preferred to wear the lace I brought you. As for the brooch, it is just enough.”
“Well, dear, if you think so; Carter rather wanted me to flare out a little more, but, of course, you know best. Now, what is it you want to talk about? Sit down here, and let us take it comfortable.”
Ross seated himself upon the couch from which Mrs. Carter swept back her garments to make room for him.
“Sister,” he said, with a faint quiver in his voice, “I have been thinking that you and I would be much happier in this great house, if we had some young person to enliven it.”