“My nerves are in a shocking state to-day. It must be the weather. What can you have to tell me, Monica?”
“I think I shan’t need to go on with typewriting.”
“Why? What are you going to do, child?” the other asked sharply.
“Virgie—I am going to be married.”
The shock was a severe one. Virginia’s hands fell, her eyes started, her mouth opened; she became the colour of clay, even her lips losing for the moment all their colour.
“Married?” she at length gasped. “Who—who is it?”
“Some one you have never heard of. His name is Mr. Edmund Widdowson. He is very well off, and has a house at Herne Hill.”
“A private gentleman?”
“Yes. He used to be in business, but is retired. Now, I am not going to tell you much more about him until you have made his acquaintance. Don’t ask a lot of questions. You are to come with me this afternoon to his house. He lives alone, but a relative of his, his sister-in-law, is going to be with him to meet us.”
“Oh, but it’s so sudden! I can’t go to pay a call like that at a moment’s notice. Impossible, darling! What does it all mean? You are going to be married, Monica? I can’t understand it. I can’t realize it. Who is this gentleman? How long—”