Marion thanked him for his advice and accompanied by Bert, joined Mr. Ray on the corner. Bert and Mr. Ray were introduced, and immediately seemed to take a mutual liking to each other. She had her uncle’s correct address now, and they were soon at “The Norwood.” Mr. Ray slipped his card into her hand as he and Bert left her at the door.
“We’ll call for you here later,” he said; with an admiring glance, “and if we don’t find you we’ll go over to the little hotel. Just as like as not your uncle will give you the cold shoulder.”
“He may,” said Marion, sadly, “for I’ve heard that he is very proud. And he doesn’t know the whole truth of my visit to the city.”
With a last glance of sympathy her friends turned away. Marion was alone again, but this time she was at the door of her own aunt’s dwelling.
She was ushered into a reception-room by a smartly-dressed maid, who glanced her over critically and evidently approved of her appearance.
“Wonder how she would have liked me in my own clothes?” thought Marion. “Ten to one I’d have received some cold glances from her if it wasn’t that I look so out and out stylish.”
After quite a long wait she was ushered into her Aunt Susan’s presence. It was the most unpleasant moment of the young girl’s whole adventure.
A fat, pudgy woman, very showily dressed, but who looked quite a little like her own mother, rose from a sofa as she entered.
There was a poodle in her arms that snapped and barked savagely.
“So this is my niece,” said the woman, languidly. She raised a lorgnette to her eyes and stared at Marion rudely.