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Jarrott said, with pretty reproachfulness. "You're not taking me seriously. Oh, I see, I see. You're just an ordinary man, after all; when I thought for a minute you might be well, a little different. Do take some of that asparagus," she added in another tone. "It's simply delicious."
"Miss Jarrott takes it quietly, then?" "Quietly! I wish you could see her. She thinks there never was anything so romantic. Why, she cried over him, and kissed him, and said she'd always be his friend if every one else in the world were to turn against him.
For testimony as to his life and character in the Argentine she had the evidence of Miss Jarrott, while on the subject of his business abilities no small point with a New York business man, as she was astute enough to see there could be no better authority than Conquest himself, who, as Stephens and Jarrott's American legal adviser, had had ample opportunity of judging.
In as far as he addressed her at all it had been through Miss Jarrott, and he had looked around her and over her rather than directly into her eyes. During the rest of the evening she caught glimpses of him only in the distance, talking now to one member of the family, now to another. It was clear that Miss Jarrott was, in a way, showing him off, and that he was received as some one of importance.
"Quick work," was the old man's only comment, but the muscles of his lips relaxed slowly, as if rusty from disuse, into one of his rare smiles. With the assurance of this reception, Strange could afford to sit silent till Mr. Jarrott made some further sign. "By the terms of her father's will," he explained some minutes later, "I'm her guardian and trustee.
"Queenie Jarrott tells me," Wayne meandered on, "that her brother thinks very highly of this young man. It seems that his business abilities are quite remarkable, and they fancy he looks like Henry the eldest of the boys who died. It's extraordinary how his voice reminds me of some one don't know who. It might be But then again "
Endsleigh Jarrott was a power in such matters as assemblies and cotillons. The ladies Colfax were little less influential; and while the sphere of the Poles and Endsleighs was in the world of art, letters, and scholarship, rather than in that of fashion and finance, they had the uncontested status of good birth.
It was just as they were departing that her opportunity to ask a question came. They had said their good-nights to Miss Jarrott and were in the hall, waiting for the footman to call their carriage, when Evie, whom they had not wanted to disturb, came fluttering after them. She was flushed but radiant, and flung herself into Miriam's arms. "You dear thing!
"I thought you might come." "I wasn't sure whether or not you knew me last night " "I didn't at first. I really hadn't noticed you, though I remembered afterward that you were standing with Mrs. Endsleigh Jarrott when Mr. Wayne and I came into the room. I wonder now if you recognized me?" "Oh, rather! I knew you were going to be there. I've been in New York a month."
It was a great "rise," not only in position and salary, but also in expectations. Mr. Martin had been resident manager at Rosario before he was taken into partnership so who could tell what might happen next? The first intimation of the change was conveyed by Mr. Jarrott in a manner characteristically casual.
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