The little scene was just well over, and Adela had taken a seat by
the window, when a gentleman who was approaching the front door saw
her and raised his hat. She went very pale.
The next moment there was a knock at the front door.
'Mother,' the girl whispered, as if she could not speak louder, 'it
is Mr. Eldon.'
'Mr. Eldon?' Mrs. Waltham drew herself up with dignity, then started
from her seat. 'The idea of his daring to come here!'
She intercepted the servant who was going to open the door.
'Jane, we are not at home!'
The maid stood in astonishment. She was not used to the polite
fictions of society; never before had that welcome mortal, an
afternoon visitor, been refused at Mrs. Waltham's.
'What did you say, please, mum?'
'You will say that we are not at home, neither I nor Miss Waltham.'
Even if Hubert Eldon had not seen Adela at the window he must have
been dull not to read the meaning of the servant's singular face and
tone. He walked away with a quiet 'Thank you.'
Mrs. Waltham cast a side glance at Adela when she heard the outer
door close. The girl had reopened her book.
'I'm not sorry that he came. Was there ever such astonishing
impudence? If _that_ is gentlemanly, then I must confess I--Really I
am not at all sorry he came: it will give him a lesson.
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