Finally, it seemed as if all her state was one of loneliness and forsakenness, and she could scarce refrain from trembling at the lip.

She hummed and hummed as the moments went by, sitting in the shadow by the window, and was therein as happy, though she did not perceive it, as she ever would be.
While Carrie was still in this frame of mind, the house-servant brought up the intelligence that Mr.Hurstwood was in the parlour asking to see Mr.and Mrs.Drouet.
"I guess he doesn't know that Charlie is out of town," thought Carrie.
She had seen comparatively little of the manager during the winter, but had been kept constantly in mind of him by one thing and another, principally by the strong impression he had made.

She was quite disturbed for the moment as to her appearance, but soon satisfied herself by the aid of the mirror, and went below.
Hurstwood was in his best form, as usual.

He hadn't heard that Drouet was out of town.

He was but slightly affected by the intelligence, and devoted himself to the more general topics which would interest Carrie.
It was surprising--the ease with which he conducted a conversation.