“What they must have cost at this season–though of course it’s the sentiment one cares about!” the lady was saying in a sighing staccato as Archer came in.
The three turned with surprise at his appearance, and the lady, advancing, held out her hand.
“Dear Mr. Archer–almost my cousin Newland!” she said. “I am the Marchioness Manson.”
Archer bowed, and she continued: “My Ellen has taken me in for a few days. I came from Cuba, where I have been spending the winter with Spanish friends– such delightful distinguished people: the highest nobility of old Castile–how I wish you could know them! But I was called away by our dear great friend here, Dr. Carver. You don’t know Dr. Agathon Carver, founder of the Valley of Love Community?”
Dr. Carver inclined his leonine head, and the Marchioness continued: “Ah, New York–New York–how little the life of the spirit has reached it! But I see you do know Mr. Winsett.”
“Oh, yes–I reached him some time ago; but not by that route,” Winsett said with his dry smile.
The Marchioness shook her head reprovingly. “How do you know, Mr. Winsett? The spirit bloweth where it listeth.”
“List–oh, list!” interjected Dr. Carver in a stentorian murmur.
“But do sit down, Mr. Archer. We four have been having a delightful little dinner together, and my child has gone up to dress. She expects you; she will be down in a moment. We were just admiring these marvellous flowers, which will surprise her when she reappears.”
Winsett remained on his feet. “I’m afraid I must be off. Please tell Madame Olenska that we shall all feel lost when she abandons our street. This house has been an oasis.”
“Ah, but she won’t abandon YOU. Poetry and art are the breath of life to her. It IS poetry you write, Mr. Winsett?”
“Well, no; but I sometimes read it,” said Winsett, including the group in a general nod and slipping out of the room.
“A caustic spirit–un peu sauvage. But so witty; Dr. Carver, you DO think him witty?”
“I never think of wit,” said Dr. Carver severely.
“Ah–ah–you never think of wit! How merciless he is to us weak mortals, Mr. Archer! But he lives only in the life of the spirit; and tonight he is mentally preparing the lecture he is to deliver presently at Mrs. Blenker’s. Dr. Carver, would there be time, before you start for the Blenkers’ to explain to Mr. Archer your illuminating discovery of the Direct Contact? But no; I see it is nearly nine o’clock, and we have no right to detain you while so many are waiting for your message.”
Dr. Carver looked slightly disappointed at this conclusion, but, having compared his ponderous gold time- piece with Madame Olenska’s little travelling-clock, he reluctantly gathered up his mighty limbs for departure.
“I shall see you later, dear friend?” he suggested to the Marchioness, who replied with a smile: “As soon as Ellen’s carriage comes I will join you; I do hope the lecture won’t have begun.”
Dr. Carver looked thoughtfully at Archer. “Perhaps, if this young gentleman is interested in my experiences, Mrs. Blenker might allow you to bring him with you?”
“Oh, dear friend, if it were possible–I am sure she would be too happy. But I fear my Ellen counts on Mr. Archer herself.”
“That,” said Dr. Carver, “is unfortunate–but here is my card.” He handed it to Archer, who read on it, in Gothic characters:
|—————————| | Agathon Carter | | The Valley of Love | | Kittasquattamy, N. Y. | |—————————|
Dr. Carver bowed himself out, and Mrs. Manson, with a sigh that might have been either of regret or relief, again waved Archer to a seat.
“Ellen will be down in a moment; and before she comes, I am so glad of this quiet moment with you.”
Archer murmured his pleasure at their meeting, and the Marchioness continued, in her low sighing accents: “I know everything, dear Mr. Archer–my child has told me all you have done for her. Your wise advice: your courageous firmness–thank heaven it was not too late!”
The young man listened with considerable embarrassment. Was there any one, he wondered, to whom Madame Olenska had not proclaimed his intervention in her private affairs?