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.

Stella assured her that the party would be small, and would be sure to comprise none but really interesting people.