The centre of the room was occupied by a round table, about which
were grouped several people of different ages. With her back to the
bow-window sat a woman well beyond middle age, but with evidently
some pretensions to youth. She was tall, desiccated, quick in
movement. Dark rings below her eyes attested either a nervous
disease, an hysterical temperament, or both. Immediately at her
left sat a boy of about fourteen years of age, his face a curious
contradiction between a naturally frank and open expression and a
growing sullenness. Next him stood a vacant chair, evidently for
Miss Bishop. Opposite lolled a young man, holding a newspaper in
one hand and a coffee cup in the other. He was very handsome, with
a drooping black moustache, dark eyes, under lashes almost too
luxuriant, and a long, oval face, dark in complexion, and a trifle
sardonic in expression. In the VIS-A-VIS to Mrs. Bishop, Orde was
surprised to find his ex-military friend of the street car. Miss
Bishop performed the necessary introductions, which each
acknowledged after his fashion, but with an apparent indifference
that dashed Orde, accustomed to a more Western cordiality. Mrs.
Bishop held out a languidly graceful hand, the boy mumbled a
greeting, the young man nodded lazily over his newspaper.
Pages:
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208