It was more than humiliating to be the cause of dissension between a hairdresser and his wife, not to speak of that shop-walker’s eccentric behaviour. And I did feel so strange, so topsy-turveyish. As if something had got into my veins and set them all of a glow. Ordinarily I am convinced that I should have slaughtered Mr Morrel, and the shop-walker, and the baker’s boy. But, somehow, that afternoon, although I knew that I ought to be shocked, and amazed, and furious, I could not be either of the three to anything like the extent which I was well aware I ought to have been. For some extraordinary reason I seemed almost to feel that it was quite natural that male creatures in their position of life should behave to me in what, to say the least, was a peculiar way. It was a dreadful thought, but I appeared to be possessed by a sort of consciousness that every man I met was drawn towards me by a sort of magnetic influence which both he and I well knew was irresistible. It was an extremely novel sensation, and not a very agreeable one either.
When I reached home I saw mamma watching for me through the drawing-room window. It was she who opened the door.
“So you have returned at last. And this time I hope you have brought everything!”
“Except Audrey’s ribbon. She will have to manage with what she has.”
“And why have you not brought that?”
“Because I did not propose to be insulted any further.”
“Insulted! Norah! What do you mean?”
“It’s of no consequence. Audrey will be able to manage very well without it. I know her. She has probably dozens of yards of ribbon already of just the kind she wants; only she thinks it’s too much trouble to look for it.”
Mamma eyed me doubtfully, as if she could not make me out. I should have been surprised if she could. I was not only beyond her comprehension, I was beyond my own. After a momentary pause she went on:
“Lilian has received a telegram from Mr Rumford, to say that he is calling this afternoon to ask her to come out with him this evening. Possibly he intends to say something decisive. Jane has returned, but Lilian is preparing, and you know that she doesn’t like to be hurried, and I have to change my dress, and as he may come at any moment if we are not ready you will have to receive him.”