CHAPTER IIITHE NEW ACQUAINTANCE
“I have succeeded in becoming acquainted with the lady in black,� remarked Elinor Wylie, a few days subsequent to the date of the beginning of this story, as, with her husband, she came slowly up from the dining-room and entered their private apartment. “Did I tell you?�
“No, I think not. Do you find her as interesting as fancy painted her?� drawled Mr. Wylie languidly.
“Yes, more so. At least, I find her very refined and cultured. She has surely been in better circumstances.�
“Ah, the pity of it, in this world of ours!� replied Mr. Wylie, throwing himself into a luxurious armchair and shaking his head expressively. “It is the story common to the lives of too many Americans. One day we’re dining at Delmonico’s, the next, starving in a hovel. Ah, seductive, evanescent, elusive Fortune, why do we trifle with you? To me the pathos of life is epitomized in the words, ‘She has seen better days.’�
“I have engaged her to sew for me.�
“Indeed!� Mr. Wylie’s eyebrows were elevated quizzingly. “What has become of Madame Somers?�
“I found out by asking Mrs. Wallace,� continued Mrs. Wylie, following her own train of thought, andignoring his question, “that the block on Herald Street had an establishment for making and selling ready-made clothing, so that I felt sure she did sewing, and I followed her home one day and saw her enter a stairway leading up over Mrs. Dray’s hairdressing rooms. I accordingly asked Mrs. Dray if she could tell me where I might find a woman to do plain sewing or embroidery, and she spoke at once of a worthy woman in the block who wanted to get work, and directed me to her rooms. She is on the third floor, in wretched little quarters, but she has pretty things about her. She met me kindly, and when I made known my business, seemed glad to get work. I’m thankful that I went, for, if you will believe me, Horace, she had been making buttonholes for Darkson at a quarter of a cent apiece, supporting herself and child upon that.�
“Such things are painful to hear of,� said Mr. Wylie, shaking his head again. “I trust you will pay her better.�
“Of course. And, Horace, she has been making cotton blouses and overalls for workmen for eighty-five cents a dozen. Think of it.�
“I suppose you learned her name and history?� he interrogated.
“Yes—no—� hesitated Mrs. Wylie. “I learned her name was, or at least she told me to call her Mrs. Lucien, and the child’s name is Dolores. Odd, isn’t it? She nicknames her Dolly. Such a sweet little creature, too. I wonder if that is Mrs. Lucien’s real name?� she continued musingly as she toyed with a tassel of the upholstering.
Mr. Wylie sank into the depths of his chair and studied the opposite wall intently for several moments.
“I wish,� he said, “I could think of whom it is she reminds me. I believe if I could see her gowned in white silk and diamonds I should remember.�
“What an idea,� laughed his wife. “I should like to see her so dressed, I confess. She should have more color in that pale face and less sadness in those dark eyes, then she would shine in such a brilliant setting. Yes, I am sure she has a history.�
“Which you did not learn?�
“Which I did not learn.�
Again Mr. Wylie sat wrapped in thought, stroking his massive chin softly.
“Do you remember, Nell, all who composed our party two years ago in the Adirondacks? Or was itthreeyears?�
“More nearly four, I think. Why, there was Judge Matthews and wife; the Misses Eldridge—just think, Fannie is married; Mrs. Harmon and her brother; Tiny Lewis, Dr. Bessemer, and Cousin Harry and Lottie,—and—no—let me see! That was all that there were at Paul Smith’s, I believe, except the time that we went to Au Sable Chasm we met Major—oh—what was his name, that Major Somebody and his wife, that Cousin Harry was so taken with at the fancy ball? Don’t you remember her, Horace? They went to Childwold with us, too.�
Mr. Wylie started.
“Ah, I remember! He went West. He did havea lovely wife. I wonder if she is the one I am reminded of.�
“And then there were the Pemberton girls who went to Saranac with us, and old Professor Sawyer with his bugs and beetles, hunting specimens. What a perfectly lovely time we had that summer.�
“Yes,� dreamily. “We’d better be planning a trip for next season. This fad of staying in the city because it’s cooler won’t last, I fancy. I’ve been thinking of Ocean Beach,� tentatively.
“And I of Bar Harbor; but it doesn’t matter. We’ve been most everywhere,� Mrs. Wylie said with a little sigh. “I don’t know but what I have enjoyed Forest City as much as I should any other place. It has been delightfully cool here on the lake.�
“Yes, but I suspect that my little Nell has a hankering for the moon, just the same. I reckon we’d better go to the seashore for a little while next month, just to break the monotony of life. And if you go, you’ll want to take Tibby with you, I suppose.�
“Most assuredly. She’s a perfect treasure. I couldn’t get along without her.�
“I see you are becoming much attached to her.�
“Indeed I am. I never had a maid before so deft and pleasing.�
“I’m afraid she’s too pretty for her position.�
“O, no; nottoopretty. Children like a pretty companion. Robbie never obeyed Mrs. Harbeck as he does Tibby. But she has remarkable eyes. For some reason she has taken a great dislike to thatyoung man with the eye-glasses, on the third floor. It’s amusing to see the look with which she regards him. Yesterday Tibby was waiting at the head of the stairs for Robbie and that man came along and stared at her rather insolently through his glasses. You should have seen Tibby. Her eyes began to dilate like those of a tigress at bay, and she returned his stare. The fellow started down, but for some reason stumbled and made a very ungraceful descent to the bottom of the staircase. It really seemed as if Tibby made him fall. You can imagine her delight at his mishap.�
“That is the way of womankind,� said Mr. Wylie, smiling. “They laugh at our downfalls, unless we drag them down with us, which we’re apt to do. Tibby is no exception; but seriously, do not pet her too much, or she may forget what is due to her position in life. She must not appear impertinent.�
“I’m sure she behaves well. Tibby is not ill-bred. Her parents were quite superior people, if they did live on a farm. Tibby boasts that her mother was a Devereaux, grand-niece to an earl,� said Mrs. Wylie, laughing.
“The little minx! She has pride enough, no doubt, and who cannot boast of ancestors in America! She certainly is a bright girl, and has a remarkably pretty face. She cannot fail to attract attention, especially as you treat her like a younger sister, rather than like a servant. It is really unfortunate for her that she is so unlike the ordinary maid.�
“I have thought of all this, Horace, and I mean to make more of her than simply a servant. In timeshe will grow to be my trusted friend and companion, I am sure. Why may she not? She is well-born; better than many in our best society.�
“You dear little philanthropic soul, you’d better adopt her at once. But don’t pick up too many pretty girls to waste sympathy upon orIshall be neglected, I fear. Besides, I have often noticed how illy such kindness is repaid. You might have cause to regret it.� Mr. Wylie picked up the evening paper and was soon absorbed in its columns.