CHAPTER XVI.
CLIFFORD VISITS AN OLD FRIEND.
It was quite late in the evening when Mr. Temple arrived in Saratoga and rejoined his wife. She was already arrayed for the ball, and was certainly a magnificent-looking woman.
Her costume was composed of white satin, combined with garnet velvet and rare point-lace. A tiara of diamonds flashed its dazzling gleams above the coils of her rich brown hair. A necklace of the same gems encircled her white neck, while other ornaments of unique designs and great value adorned her corsage.
“Well, Nell, you are a stunner!” was her husband’s admiring comment, after exchanging greetings with her. “You usually do ‘take the cake’—excuse the slang—but to-night you really outshine everything in the past.”
“Thank you, Will, I’m glad you are pleased; but, dear, don’t stop to compliment me—dress as quickly as you can or we shall be late for the opening march,” Mrs. Temple responded, with an appreciative smile, but with a note of impatience in her tones.
“I wish you would let me off, Nell—I really do,” said Mr. Temple appealingly. “I am tired and dusty after my long ride, and haven’t an atom of enthusiasm for the affair. Let Phil act as your escort, and I will have a bath, a quiet smoke, then go to bed, for we must get away as early as possible to-morrow.”
His wife turned and regarded him curiously, observing for the first time the worried expression in his eyes.
“What detained you so to-night?” she inquired; “and why this hurried flitting?—why must we return to Boston to-morrow?”
“Oh, business, of course,” said her husband, as he turned away from her searching gaze, ostensibly to unstrap his grip, but in reality to conceal the pallor which he felt was creeping into his face; “an affair that has been hanging fire for some time, and has now, unfortunately for our outing here, reached a climax.”
“Can’t you go and settle it, and then return for us? Will it take long?” queried his wife thoughtfully.