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I was doubtless often a nuisance to my friends in those years; but there were sacrifices I declined to make, and I never passed the hat to George Gravener. I never forgot our little discussion in Ebury Street, and I think it stuck in my throat to have to treat him to the avowal I had found so easy to Mss Anvoy.
I had briefly to consider before I could reply that my objection to the lady named was the objection often uttered about people met at the social board I knew all her stories. Then as Miss Anvoy remained momentarily vague I added: "Those about her husband." "Oh yes, but there are some new ones." "None for me. Ah novelty would be pleasant!"
"Do you mean you're disappointed because you judge Miss Anvoy to be?" "Yes; I hoped for a greater effect last evening. We had two or three people, but he scarcely opened his mouth." "He'll be all the better to-night," I opined after a moment. Then I pursued: "What particular importance do you attach to the idea of her being impressed?"
I turned it over. "Did he wear his shawl?" "His shawl?" She hadn't even noticed. "I mean yours." "He looked very nice, and you know he's really clean. Miss Anvoy used such a remarkable expression she said his mind's like a crystal!" I pricked up my ears. "A crystal?" "Suspended in the moral world swinging and shining and flashing there. She's monstrously clever, you know." I thought again.
On his part, I was sure, this was the voice not of envy but of experience. The vivid scene was now peopled, and I could see him in the old-time garden with Miss Anvoy, who would be certain, and very justly, to think him good- looking.
I echoed as I recalled the extravagance commemorated in Adelaide's anecdote of Miss Anvoy and the thirty pounds. The thing I had been most sensible of in that talk with George Gravener was the way Saltram's name kept out of it.
When I see the compliments that are paid right and left I ask myself why this one shouldn't take its course. This therefore is what you're entitled to have looked to me to mention to you. I've some evidence that perhaps would be really dissuasive, but I propose to invite Mss Anvoy to remain in ignorance of it." "And to invite me to do the same?" "Oh you don't require it you've evidence enough.
Her account of the introduction I had in its order, but before that, very late in the season, under Gravener's auspices, I met Miss Anvoy at tea at the House of Commons. The member for Clockborough had gathered a group of pretty ladies, and the Mulvilles were not of the party.
It also contains an enclosure." I felt it it was fat and uncanny. "Wheels within wheels!" I exclaimed. "There's something for me too to deliver." "So they tell me to Miss Anvoy." I stared; I felt a certain thrill. "Why don't they send it to her directly?" Mrs. Saltram hung fire. "Because she's staying with Mr. and Mrs. Mulville." "And why should that prevent?"
Later in the afternoon I also took one, and I saw nothing of Miss Anvoy till dinner, at which we failed of the company of Saltram, who had caused it to be reported that he was indisposed and lying down.
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