I had not believed that such power of pleasing could be carried into extreme old age, as this old lady manifested.
While we were conversing, Mrs. Dennison came in, much to our astonishment; for of late she had rather avoided both Jessie and myself. Mr. Lee presented her to our visitor, who put on her stateliest manner, and, after rising, stood as if ready to go; but her clear eyes were fixed on Mrs. Dennison's face, and she seemed reading her to the soul.
I think that Mrs. Dennison was, for once, awed by the moral force opposed to her; for such it really was. The graceful flippancy of manner, which most people considered so captivating, refused to come into action, and, for the moment, she really was awkward.
"I did not know that you had guests," said the old lady, with a stiff bend of the head. "If I remember, Mr. Lawrence told me that this lady would leave the neighborhood about the time he did."
The color flashed into Mrs. Dennison's face, and she replied, with suppressed anger,—
"Mr. Lawrence presumed, madam, when he ventured to regulate my movements by his own."
Again the old lady gave her a quiet, searching look, and, without replying, moved toward the door.
Jessie and I went down to the terrace with Mrs. Bosworth, while Mr. Lee took her to the carriage.