As their voices had been pitched very low before, such a note
attracted some attention from the company. Osmond waited till this
little movement had subsided; then he said, all undisturbed: "I
think she has no recollection of having given it."
They had been standing with their faces to the fire, and after he
had uttered these last words the master of the house turned round
again to the room. Before Rosier had time to reply he perceived that a
gentleman-a stranger-had just come in, unannounced, according to the
Roman custom, and was about to present himself to his host. The latter
smiled blandly, but somewhat blankly; the visitor had a handsome
face and a large, fair beard, and was evidently an Englishman.
"You apparently don't recognize me," he said with a smile that
expressed more than Osmond's.
"Ah yes, now I do. I expected so little to see you."
Rosier departed and went in direct pursuit of Pansy. He sought
her, as usual, in the neighbouring room, but he again encountered Mrs.
Osmond in his path. He gave his hostess no greeting-he was too
righteously indignant, but said to her crudely: "Your husband's
awfully cold-blooded.
Pages:
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662