Putting her hand over the mouthpiece and turning to me, she asked:
"Can you call at five this evening?"
I could; so she made arrangements, hung up the receiver, and then wrote a note of introduction, wording it thus:
Dear H——
This will introduce my friend, Mother Roberts. She is all O. K. Hoping you will have a pleasant time together,
Yours as ever, —— ——
This I presented with my card at Miss Loraine's door at exactly five o'clock. A Japanese page dressed in uniform ushered me into a conventional but well-furnished reception-room. There sat a young woman in a handsome silk negligee, who invited me to be seated, remarking that Miss Loraine was out, but would soon return, and that she was to entertain me in the interval. In a few minutes there came up the steps and then entered the room three splendid-looking young women, richly attired. The one in black silk, Miss Loraine, received me with all the manners of a lady of birth and good breeding, and soon asked me if I would come with her to her private quarters, so that we could converse undisturbed. I followed her up-stairs into a Dresden-draped bedroom, where ensued the following conversation:
"Mrs. Roberts, I feel I owe you an apology for not sooner receiving you. To be candid with you, my door is closed to all who have not made previous engagements; then, too, I shrink from the embarrassment of meeting any ladies from the better walks of life," etc.
Whilst endeavoring to reassure her, I happened to look at a silver-framed photograph of a handsome, white-haired old gentleman. Quickly remarking this, she reverently handed it to me, saying:
"I notice you are attracted to this. Would you think there was anything out of the common in any of these features?"
Upon my replying in the negative, she added: