The baby-party indeed was ended.
XXV
THE DUCHESS OF NAXOS
I was still sitting there when somebody knocked, and, supposing it to be Smith, I said, "come in."
Thusis entered, and I rose. We looked at each other in silence, then I set a chair for her by my table and she dropped onto it as though tired.
She wore a dark hat and a dark gown which I had never seen. Also she was gloved, another phase hitherto unfamiliar to me. And her beauty almost hurt me.
"You are not going with us?" she asked in a low voice.
"No."
"Why not?"
"There is no reason why I should go."