I shall take care that Mrs. MacNamara sees me. Put your
things on, there's a good girl.'
Mrs. Mallowe groaned and obeyed, and the two went off to the
Library, where they found Mrs. Delville and the man who went by
the nick-name of The Dancing Master. By that time Mrs. Mallowe
was awake and eloquent.
'That is the Creature!' said Mrs. Hauksbee, with the air of one
pointing out a slug in the road.
'No,' said Mrs. Mallowe. 'The man is the Creature. Ugh!
Good-evening, Mr. Bent. I thought you were coming to tea this
evening.'
'Surely it was for to-morrow, was it not?' answered The Dancing
Master. 'I understood I fancied I'm so sorry How very
unfortunate!'
But Mrs. Mallowe had passed on.
'For the practised equivocator you said he was,' murmured Mrs.
Hauksbee, 'he strikes me as a failure. Now wherefore should he
have preferred a walk with The Dowd to tea with us? Elective
affinities, I suppose both grubby. Polly, I'd never forgive that
woman as long as the world rolls.'
'I forgive every woman everything,' said Mrs. Mallowe. 'He will be
a sufficient punishment for her. What a common voice she has!'
Mrs. Delville's voice was not pretty, her carriage was even less
lovely, and her raiment was strikingly neglected. All these things
Mrs. Mallowe noticed over the top of a magazine.
'Now what is there in her?' said Mrs.
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