The last-named, seeing that Mr. Delane was somewhat surprised at the company, came up to him and said:
"Come and sit down; Dale never remembers that anybody wants a seat. Here's an armchair."
Mr. Delane sat down next to Miss Fane, and noticed, even in his perturbation, that his neighbor was a remarkably pretty girl, with fair hair clustering in a thick mass on the nape of her neck, and large blue eyes which left gazing on Dale Bannister when their owner turned to greet him. Mr. Delane would have enjoyed talking to her, had not his soul been vexed at the presence of the three Denborough men. One did not expect to meet the tradesmen of the town; and what business had the Doctor there? To spend Sunday in that fashion would not increase his popularity or his practice. And then that nonsense about the wreath! How undignified it was! it was even worse than yelling out Nihilistic verses by way of Sabbath amusement.
"I shall get away as soon as I can," he thought, "and I shall say a word to the Doctor."
He was called from his meditations by Miss Fane. She sat in a low chair with her feet on a stool, and now, tilting the chair back, she fixed her eyes on Mr. Delane, and asked:
"Are you shocked?"
No man likes to admit that he is shocked.
"I am not, but many people would be."
"I suppose you don't like meeting those men?"
"Hedger is an honest man in his way of life. I have no great opinion of Johnstone."