The cab stopped before the familiar steps, and Barbara said, as to a stranger: "Here we are."
XXIV
All of Them
The well-remembered hall and broad staircase swam before Alex' eyes as she followed Barbara upstairs and heard them announced as:
"Mrs. McAllister—and Miss Clare!"
In a dream she entered the room, and was conscious of a dream-like feeling of relief at its totally unfamiliar aspect. All the furniture was different, and there was chintz instead of brocade, everywhere. She would not have known it.
Then she saw, with growing bewilderment, that the room was full of people.
"Alex?" said a soft, unknown voice.
Barbara hovered uneasily beside her, and Alex dimly heard her speaking half-reassuringly and half-apologetically. But Violet Clare had taken her hand, and was guiding her into the inner half of the room, which was empty.