We must consult their pleasure sometimes, as well as our own." "Certainly--certainly." Mrs.Lloyd spoke with visible impatience.
"I promised to go with my husband to-morrow night," said Mrs.
Emerson; "and, much as I may desire to meet you at Mrs.Talbot's, I am not at liberty to go there." "In bonds! Ah me! Poor wives!" sighed Mrs.Talbot, in affected pity.
"Not at liberty! The admission which comes to us from all sides." She laughed in her gurgling, hollow way as she said this.
"Not bound to my husband, but to my word of promise," replied Mrs.
Emerson, as pleasantly as her disturbed feelings would permit her to speak.

The ladies were pressing her a little too closely, and she both saw and felt this.

They were stepping beyond the bounds of reason and delicacy.
Mrs.Lloyd saw the state of mind which had been produced, and at once changed the subject.
"May I flatter myself with the prospect of having this call returned ?" she said, handing Mrs.Emerson her card as she was about leaving.
"It will give me great pleasure to know you better, and you may look to seeing me right early," was the bland reply.

And yet Mrs.Emerson was not really attracted by this woman, but, on the contrary, repelled.

There was something in her keen, searching eyes, which seemed to be looking right into the thoughts, that gave her a feeling of doubt.
"Thank you.