“Of course they didn’t know of my marriage; you may be sure it was not by intention.”
“I should say that the invitation leaves room for that doubt. The Brodericks were certainly on the list of people to whom cards were sent; I noticed the name the other day when I was looking over my calling book.”
“But, my dear Addie! What motive would they have for ignoring the fact, assuming that they knew of my marriage?”
“Then, of course, if it’s an error, they would be grateful to have it corrected.”
She started to speak further, but bit her lip upon a renunciation of the trip. She had resolved to see what solution of the matter he would himself suggest. He pondered a moment.
“I hope you won’t misunderstand me, Addie, but I really don’t quite see how I could suggest their asking you. In fact, it is clearly by intention that Tarleton and I are being brought together there quietly, and while it’s a bit awkward to be asked in this way so shortly after our marriage, I hardly feel—the Brodericks being what they are and all that—that I ought to——”
He broke off with a light laugh and a graceful outward fling of the hands, in despair of these complications.
“It would be a pity for you to miss the opportunity of visiting so distinguished a family—with Mrs. Broderick being the rare woman she is, and all that!”
“Of course there is that side of it,” he agreed, with bland eagerness. He did not see that she was laughing bitterly at him. “But I really don’t see how that takes care of you!”
“Oh, you musn’t think of that! I should undoubtedly be bored to death. I always hate visiting; when I’m away from home I much prefer going to a hotel.”