"I expected her in before this," said Mrs. Hoffman. "Perhaps you had better wait as you have come so far."
"Will Mr. Warren be with her?"
"Oh, dear no; he seldom comes now," said Mrs. Hoffman.
Irene was thankful for this; it was a grain of comfort, and she anxiously caught at any straw.
"They do not live together," said the gossiping woman, "but the separation is by mutual consent. They quarrel occasionally when he is here, and he always seems glad to get away. Mrs. Warren is a nice lady, I like her very much, but of course you know her?"
"Of course," echoed Irene.
"And her husband?"
"Yes."
"I wonder who she is?" thought Mrs. Hoffman. "She's not in the same circle as Mrs. Warren, that's certain. How did she find out the address?"
"Mrs. Warren sent you her address I suppose?" asked Mrs. Hoffman.