“I haven’t time, I fear.”
“I will send you home in a sleigh,” said Mr. Armour, strolling toward them.
“Oh, in that case I can give you a few minutes,” said Stargarde.
“This is what we might call a case of love at first sight, isn’t it?” said Judy, fluttering like a kindly disposed blackbird between Vivienne and Stargarde.
Stargarde laughed merrily as she went into the bedroom.
Vivienne was left behind with Mr. Armour. Ever since her interview in the library with him he had regarded her with some friendliness and with decided curiosity. Now he asked with interest,
“Did you ever see any one like Miss Turner?”
“No,” said Vivienne warmly, “never; she is so devoted, so enthusiastic; her protégés must love her.”
“They do,” he said dryly.
“It is not my way to plunge into sudden intimacies,” said Vivienne with a little proud movement of her neck; “yet with Miss Turner I fancy all rules are set aside.”