They were at this moment passing the theatre, and both started to see Mr. Dudley coming under the blaze of the light at the er trance with a lady hanging on his arm. He was leaning toward her; and as Mr. Wallingford unconsciously checked his steps, he recognized the lady as the one to whom his brother-in-law had bowed in the afternoon.
"That is Miss Richmond," said Marion, when the couple had turned in the opposite direction. "She is an heiress from Philadelphia, visiting in Chicago."
"An heiress?" repeated Edward.
"Yes, by the death of a miserly uncle, and the non-discovery of any other heir."
"I remember meeting her in Philadelphia," murmured the gentleman abstractedly. "She is an old acquaintance of Mr. Dudley."
"She was at the party last night," explained Marion, understanding how keenly the brother must feel the neglect shown his sister. "She is brilliant and accomplished; even gay and thoughtless; but I believe her to have good principles; and I have heard lately that she was betrothed to a gentleman in New York."
Mr. Wallingford passed the entire forenoon with his sister. She looked brighter than the preceding day; and there was an expression of serenity on her exquisitely cut features he had not looked for. Indeed there was an elevation in her whole countenance which recalled instantly the scene of his mother's death-bed.
Dudley seemed more at ease than on the previous day; and warmly commended Bridget on the wonderful improvement in her cooking. He kissed Gertrude's cheek as he went out, saying gayly, "I shall feel quite easy about you, love, now that Ned is here to entertain your ladyship."
The start of pleased surprise with which the wife received this token of affection convinced her brother that such manifestations were rare. He recollected with a flush of indignation hearing his old chum once say to his youngest sister as he rudely threw her off when she volunteered a sisterly embrace:
"Nonsense, Nannie! don't bother me."