"Well," he replied, "you have concealed it pretty well under the circumstances."
"Ah!" she said, "but you don't know what a burden it is to carry about, and what subterfuges I have to resort to when I seem on the very verge of being found out. There is Larry, for instance,—I am almost sure that Larry suspects me, especially when I am tired, or chance to wear an unbecoming gown. You know how particular I am about my gowns? Well, that is my secret. I haven't an attraction, really, but my gowns and my spirits and my speciousness. The solitary thing I do feel I have reason to pride myself on is that I am bold enough to adapt my gowns in such a way as to persuade you that I am physically responsible for the color and shape of them. You fancy you are pleased with me when you are simply pleased with some color of which I exist on the reflection or glow. In nine cases out of ten it is merely a matter of pale blue or pink, and silk or crèpe or cashmere; and in the tenth it is nothing but spirits and speciousness."
"Oh," he said, "there is no denying that you would make a wonderful lobbyist."
"Well," she answered, rising and going to the table to lay her fan down, "when you invest largely in Westoria lands and require my services in that capacity, I will try to distinguish myself. I think I should like to begin with the Westoria lands if I begin at all. But in the meantime I must go upstairs and talk to the seamstress about Janey's new white dresses. You are cool enough now to enjoy your lunch when the bell rings and you shall have some iced tea if you would like it."
"I would like it very well, and, by the by, did Tredennis bring the 'Clarion,' as he said he would?"
"Yes, it is here," and she handed it to him from the table. "You can read it while I am upstairs."
"Have you read it?" he said, opening it and turning to the editorial.
"Not yet. I shall read it this afternoon."
"Yes, do. The facts are put very forcibly. And—you will decide not to go to Fortress Monroe just yet?"
She hesitated a moment, but he did not observe it.