The door was opened and Mrs. Somerton and her daughter were announced. Harriet bowed coldly; and Mr. Gage, after a still more frigid fashion.
Mrs. Somerton, who had seen the world, was not at all put out by this English reception; and Blanche with a manner full of minauderie, glanced sideways at Mr. Gage, and glided into a chair as near to him as she conveniently could. Now any person totally unacquainted with society, and forming their notions of good manners from abstract principles, would perhaps imagine that Mr. Gage and Harriet would instantly begin to talk to the visitors, and endeavour to amuse them until Miss Gage should arrive. Not at all; they had seen enough of company, to know how much they might leave undone; a code much more extensively put in practice than that which might teach people how much to do.
Mr. Gage stared across at Mrs. Somerton. Harriet with her head drawn up, surveyed Blanche.
At last, Mr. Gage said to Harriet, "Have you any idea where Bessy is?"
"I suppose," said Harriet, "that she is somewhere among the hot-houses. Hubert said something about the American plants. I dare say she will be in to luncheon."
"It is not half past one yet," said Mr. Gage, pointing to the time-piece.
"That French piece of trumpery is always wrong," said Harriet.
"My watch is the same, all but two minutes," said Mr. Gage, taking it out.
"If they happened to meet your father, you know, he would carry them all over the country," returned Harriet.