So, as I tell you, he will have his own establishment." Mrs.Jordan, in the elation of it, had begun to revive; but there was nevertheless between them rather a conscious pause--a pause in which neither visitor nor hostess brought out a hope or an invitation.

It expressed in the last resort that, in spite of submission and sympathy, they could now after all only look at each other across the social gulf.
They remained together as if it would be indeed their last chance, still sitting, though awkwardly, quite close, and feeling also--and this most unmistakeably--that there was one thing more to go into.

By the time it came to the surface, moreover, our young friend had recognised the whole of the main truth, from which she even drew again a slight irritation.

It was not the main truth perhaps that most signified; but after her momentary effort, her embarrassment and her tears Mrs.Jordan had begun to sound afresh--and even without speaking--the note of a social connexion.

She hadn't really let go of it that she was marrying into society.