Juliette flung herself into an easy-chair and listened with a sneer, saying to herself:
“I would not try to play if I knew nothing but a few accompaniments.”
But when that low, sweet, thrilling voice broke the silence, she started in wonder and delight, for she was intensely fond of music, and Pansy’s touch and voice were both exquisite.
No one noticed that the door had opened to admit visitors, who paused uncertainly on the threshold, to listen, too, for all were absorbed in the singer.
At last the white hands dropped from the piano keys, the thrilling voice became silent. Touched in spite of herself, Juliette said softly:
“Oh, how sweet and sad! You have brought tears to my eyes, Mrs. Falconer.”
Before Pansy could reply, all three became aware that visitors were advancing into the room.
“Oh, Mrs. Wylde, I am so glad to see you—and you, too, Rosalind. Oh, Judge Wylde, it was so kind of you and Norman to come!” rattled quickly from Juliette’s lips, as she hastened to welcome the newcomers.
Colonel Falconer also greeted the visitors as if they were old friends, and hastened to present his wife.
She, the poor little factory girl whom they had scorned, stood by her husband’s side like a queen, and greeted his friends with a calm and stately dignity that made a profound impression. She glanced only slightly at Norman Wylde, or she would have seen that he was terribly agitated. When their hands touched each other both were cold as ice.