Then he talked constantly
of you."
"As you didn't know me that must rather have bored you."
"It made me want to know you. All the more that since then- your
aunt being so much with Mr. Touchett- I've been quite alone and have
got rather tired of my own society. I've not chosen a good moment
for my visit."
A servant had come in with lamps and was presently followed by
another bearing the tea-tray. On the appearance of this repast Mrs.
Touchett had apparently been notified, for she now arrived and
addressed herself to the tea-pot. Her greeting to her niece did not
differ materially from her manner of raising the lid of this
receptacle in order to glance at the contents: in neither act was it
becoming to make a show of avidity. Questioned about her husband she
was unable to say he was better; but the local doctor was with him,
and much light was expected from this gentleman's consultation with
Sir Matthew Hope.
"I suppose you two ladies have made acquaintance," she pursued.
"If you haven't I recommend you to do so; for so long as we
continue- Ralph and I- to cluster about Mr. Touchett's bed you're
not likely to have much society but each other.
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