Now, at all events, framed in the gilded
doorway, she struck our young man as the picture of a gracious lady.
"You see I'm very regular," he said. "But who should be if I'm not?"
"Yes, I've known you longer than any one here. But we mustn't
indulge in tender reminiscences. I want to introduce you to a young
lady."
"Ah, please, what young lady?" Rosier was immensely obliging; but
this was not what he had come for.
"She sits there by the fire in pink and has no one to speak to."
Rosier hesitated a moment. "Can't Mr. Osmond speak to her? He's
within six feet of her."
Mrs. Osmond also hesitated. "She's not very lively, and be doesn't
like dull people."
"But she's good enough for me? Ah now, that's hard!"
"I only mean that you've ideas for two. And then you're so
obliging."
"So is your husband."
"No, he's not-to me." And Mrs. Osmond vaguely smiled.
"That's a sign he should be doubly so to other women."
"So I tell him," she said, still smiling.
"You see I want some tea," Rosier went on, looking wistfully beyond.
"That's perfect. Go and give some to my young lady."
"Very good; but after that I'll abandon her to her fate.
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