About her neck this lady wore numerous rows of jet beads, from which depended crosses and lockets of the same material: she had jet earrings and jet bracelets; and had altogether a beaded and bugled appearance, which would have been eminently fascinating to the untutored taste of a North American Indian.
This lady was Mrs.Pallinson, a widow of limited means, and a distant relation of Adela Branston's.

Left quite alone after her husband's death, and feeling herself thoroughly helpless, Adela had summoned this experienced matron to her aid; whereupon Mrs.Pallinson had given up a small establishment in the far north of London, which she was in the habit of speaking about on occasions as her humble dwelling, and had taken up her quarters in Cavendish-square, where she was a power of dread to the servants.
Gilbert fancied that Mrs.Pallinson was by no means too favourably disposed towards John Saltram.

She had sharp black eyes, very much like the jet beads with which her person was decorated, and with these she kept a close watch upon Mrs.Branston and Mr.Saltram when the two were talking together.

Gilbert saw how great an effort it cost her at these times to keep up the commonplace conversation which he had commenced with her, and how intently she was trying to listen to the talk upon the other side of the fire-place.
The dinner was an admirable one, the wines perfection, Mr.Branston having been a past-master of the art of good living, and having stocked his cellars with a view to a much longer life than had been granted to him; the attendance was careful and complete; the dining-room, with its rather old-fashioned furniture and heavy crimson hangings, a picture of comfort; and Mrs.Branston a most charming hostess.

Even Gilbert was fain to forget his own troubles and enjoy life a little in that agreeable society.
The two gentlemen accompanied the ladies back to the drawing-room.