Eugene assisted her from the carriage and avoided looking at her as much as possible—a fact which annoyed her exceedingly.
"And I am so anxious to see your bride," she continued.
Eugene could readily understand that, and so could Hollis.
Hollis followed his friend to the drawing-room. He stood by the young bride's side when Vivian Deane was presented to her.
He had expected to see an expression of bitter dislike on the doll-like pink-and-white face. He was surprised and relieved to see Vivian hold out her little hands and murmur in her cooing voice:
"I am so delighted to see you, Mrs. Mallard, I am sure we shall be friends."
Ida gazed anxiously, wistfully, into the pink-and-white face. Vivian's sea-blue eyes met her gaze unflinchingly; her red lips, which suggested more of art than nature, wore a mask of the sweetest smiles.
The young bride drew a deep breath of relief. She had been unnecessarily frightened, she told herself. Now that Vivian knew Eugene was married, she had in all probability resigned herself to the inevitable.
"Probably she has another lover by this time, and thinks no more of Eugene," thought Ida.