Tenterhooks

ing C

that interested him more? He was a widower; and still a young man. Perhaps he was in love with someone. This idea was far from agreeable, although except the first and second time they met he had never said a word that could be described even as flirtation. He showed admiration for her, and pleasure in her society, but he rarely saw her alone. The few visits and t?te-?-t?tes had always begun by conventional commonplace phrases and embarrassment, and had ended in a delightful sympathy, in animated conversation, in a flowing confidence and gaiety, and in long discussions on books, and art, and principally people

strong mutual physical attraction. Edith had, however, felt until now merely the agreeable excitement of knowing that a man she liked, and in whom she was immensely interested, was growing appa

ing to consider was that she would see him today. The result of t

ost women. One was her extreme aversion for shops, and indeed for going into any concrete little details. It has been said that her feeling for dress was sure and unerring. But it was entirely that of the artist; it was impressionistic. Ed

ce considered sufficient; because Bruce believed that they could not afford more than a certain amount for a cook, while he admitted that Edith, who had a few hundred pounds a year of her own, might need to spend this on dress. Very little of it went on dress, although Edith was not very economical. But she had a plan of her own; she knew that to be dressed in a very ordinary style (that is to say, simple, conventional, comme il faut) suited her, by throwing her unusual beauty into relief. Occasionally a touch of individuality was added, when she wanted to have a special effect. But sh

r orders, which were always decisive, short and yet meticulous. Miss Bennett was a little late this morning, and Edith had been getting quite anxious to see her. When she at last arr

late,

,' sai

ng teeth and a scenario for a figure, merely a collection of bones on which a dress could be hung. She was devoted to Edith,

I had to d

d Edith. 'You couldn't

you t

Bennett, taking out

ow, soft, impressive

tea-gowns-you know the sort of shape, rather like evening cloaks-strai

?' asked M

but made of Liberty sat

ennett laughed. 'You mean charme

only get it. You must br

vagant

e than-oh! not much,' ad

have a really good tea-go

. I want to have a

gus

lly? Wha

ppose you can't get

es

sh kind-I could wear one over a lace b

ugh. Anything else?' said Miss Bennett, standing up, read

and a bit of some dull material of

is the way you hate an

ett, maki

case I choose a light-coloured gown, get me j

. That

perfect, tiny, pointed and made of bl

at's all

ting up, 'any particular reason for all this? Ar

ssible. 'I'm expecting a visitor who's never seen me

ts a change

e. Thanks awfully, dea

Edith gently pushed her

a sofa, put up her fe

oughts. Vincy had broug

mpress

ondon, she was rather restless today. She glanced round the little room; there was nothing in it to distract or irritate, or even to suggest a train of thought; except perhaps the books; everything was calming and soothing, with a touch of gaiety in the lightness of the wall decorations. An azalea, certainly, would be a good note. The carpet, and almost everything in the room, was

*

ith a heap of cardboard boxes, and the

s. She put four gowns out on the sofa. Grace explained

card. It had a collar of the same deep blue, spotted with white-a birdseye effect. Taking off her coat Edith slippe

nly I must cut off those

ing to fasten i

eyes. Marie ca

charming effect, and suited her blonde colouring;

o try the others on

he good? This

n I'll take

Won't you come

ll me about your tea-party. Oh, and here's a little bit of stuff for t

l tie this ro

iss Bennett. 'I couldn't ge

only it's not called sa

lightfull

that I'm the best shopper in the world.' She turned round to ad

smile, Edith