The
evening, save when a concert called them forth, was generally a time
of peaceful reading and talking, the presence of friends making no
difference in the simple arrangements of the home. If a man came to
dine at this house, it was greatly preferred that he should not
present himself in the. costume of a waiter, and only those came who
were sufficiently intimate with the Westlakes to know their habits.
One evening weekly saw a purely Socialist gathering; three or four
artisans were always among the guests. On that occasion Adela was
sorely tempted to plead a headache, but for several reasons she
resisted. It was a trial to her, for she was naturally expected to
talk a good deal with the visitors, several of whom she herself had
entertained at Wanley. Watching Stella, she had a feeling which she
could not quite explain or justify; she was pained to see her
goddess in this company, and felt indignant with some of the men who
seemed to make themselves too much at their ease. There was no talk
of poetry.
Among the studios to which Stella took her was that of Mr. Boscobel.
Mrs. Boscobel made much of them, and insisted on Adela's coming to
dine with her. An evening was appointed. Adela felt reproofs of
conscience, remembering the excuse she had offered to Alice, but in
this case it was impossible to decline.
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