For a moment she pondered, her confidence in him and her wish to accede to his wishes struggling against suspicion and jealousy.
“You’re sure this isn’t a trick—a trap?” she asked.
“Of course not, dear! How can you think such a thing? Mrs. Trenton really has a sense of humor; and she’s a woman of the world. Besides she has no ground whatever for attacking you; I can’t imagine her doing that in any circumstances. I’m just meeting her wish to see a girl I told her I admire. But—I count more than I dare say on the result. I want to give her a chance to practice what she preaches!”
“Well,” said Grace, searching his eyes with a long gaze, “I’ll go since you insist, but I think it’s foolish. It’s the most ridiculous thing I ever heard of! But she can’t do more than murder me.”
“She can’t do more than approve of you!” he cried and ordered Craig to drive to Miss Reynolds’s.
III
Mrs. Trenton was immediately visible, writing at a small table in the living room, when they were ushered into the reception parlor. She wore a pair of shell-rimmed library glasses, and it occurred to Grace that the blank stare that had been so disconcerting the previous night was probably attributable to some defect of vision. She did not lift her head when the maid spoke to her but nodded and went on writing for several minutes. Then she laid aside the glasses and walked unhurriedly to the door.
“Ah, Ward, back again!”
“I believe you’ve met Miss Durland, May,” said Trenton.
“Yes; of course,” she replied with a smile of recognition that faded instantly. “It’s nice of you to come, Miss Durland. I didn’t know last night that you were acquainted with Mr. Trenton. Dear Miss Reynolds didn’t mention it or I should, of course——”