Was the trouble still about the Major? Was Aunt Harriet determined to go with him Friday evening?
Whatever the cause, Friday came, with the strained relations between sister and brother unrelieved.
The town was in the midst of its social season, the Blair reception being one of several crowding each other. On this Friday Harriet and Alexina were to attend an afternoon affair, and later Alexina was to go to an evening occasion with her uncle, who had consented icily, as though to emphasize the fact that it was Harriet’s engagement which made it necessary for him to take the girl.
Alexina, coming down a little before five, found Harriet standing in the parlour, ready, gloves on and wrap on a chair. To be young is to be ardent. Not all youthful things are young. Alexina was young.
“You are beautiful, Aunt Harriet,” she declared.
But it was as if Harriet did not hear. Was it premonition, that strained absorption?
“A moment, Alexina,” she was saying. “Listen, was that the bell?”
“John, probably,” said Alexina, “to let us know the carriage is waiting.”
But it was Major Rathbone who came in upon them in his quick fashion a moment later. His overcoat was a cape affair which somehow seemed to suit his personality, and ever after Alexina could see him throwing the cavalier-like drapery back with impatient gesture.
“You are not gone then, Harriet,” he said; “I am glad for that.”