Apparently it was to have been a tete-a-tete dinner, but my arrival changed it to a _partie carree_." She talked on about Wilsey and the conversation of the evening, but it made little difference what she said, for her full idea had reached Adelaide from the start, and had gathered to itself in an instant a hundred confirmatory memories.

Like a picture, she saw before her Mrs.
Wayne's sitting-room, with the ink-spots on the rug.

Who would not wish to exchange that for Mr.Lanley's series of fresh, beautiful rooms?
Suddenly she gave her attention back to Mrs.Baxter, who was saying: "I assure you, when we were alone I was prepared for a formal announcement." It was not safe to be the bearer of ill tidings to Adelaide.
"An announcement ?" she said wonderingly.

"Oh, no, Mrs.Baxter, my father will never marry again.

There have always been rumors, and you can't imagine how he and I have laughed over them together." As the indisputable subject of such rumors in past times, Mrs.Baxter fitted a little arrow in her bow.
"In the past," she said, "women of suitable age have not perhaps been willing to consider the question, but this lady seems to me distinctly willing." "More than willingness on the lady's part has been needed," answered Adelaide, and then Pringle's ample form appeared in the doorway.