A hall, rather contracted, but sumptuous in its furnishings, opened on a series of drawing-rooms absolutely splendid with gilt and satin.  One room, all gold and yellow, led into another all blue satin, and that into one where the light filtered through soft-tinted shades on tapestries and rugs of deep crimson.

Keith could not help thinking what a fortunate man Norman was, and the difference between his friend’s situation in this bower of roses, and his own in his square, bare little box on the windy mountain-side, insensibly flashed over him.  This was “an establishment”!  How unequally Fortune scattered her gifts!  Just then, with a soft rustle of silk, the portieres were parted, and Mrs. Wentworth appeared.  She paused for a second just under the arch, and the young man wondered if she knew how effective she was.  She was a vision of lace and loveliness.  A figure straight and sinuous, above the middle height, which would have been quite perfect but for being slightly too full, and which struck one before one looked at the face; coloring that was rich to brilliance; abundant, beautiful hair with a glint of lustre on it; deep hazel eyes, the least bit too close together, and features that were good and only just missed being fine Keith had remembered her as beautiful, but as Mrs. Wentworth stood beneath the azure portieres, her long, bare arms outstretched, her lips parted in a half-smile of welcome, she was much more striking-looking than Keith’s memory had recorded.  As he gazed on her, the expression on his face testified his admiration.

She came forward with the same gratified smile on her face and greeted him with formal words of welcome as Norman’s old friend.  Her thought was, “What a strong-looking man he is!  Like a picture I have seen somewhere.  Why doesn’t Ferdy like him?”

As she sank into a soft divan, and with a sudden twist her train fell about her feet, making an artistic drapery, Keith experienced a sense of delight.  He did not dream that Mrs. Wentworth knew much better than he precisely the pose to show the curve of her white full throat and round arm.  The demands of notorious beauty were already beginning to tell on her, and even while she spoke gracious words of her husband’s friendship for him, she from time to time added a touch here and a soft caress there with her long white, hands to make the arrangement the more complete.  It was almost too perfect to be unconscious.

Suddenly Keith heard Norman’s voice outside, apparently on the stair, calling cheerily “Good-by” to some one, and the next second he came hastily into the drawing-room.  His hair was rumpled and his necktie a trifle awry.  As he seized and wrung Keith’s hand with unfeigned heartiness, Keith was suddenly conscious of a change in everything.  This was warmth, sincerity, and the beautiful room suddenly became a home.  Mrs. Wentworth appeared somewhat shocked at his appearance.

“Well, Norman, you are a sight!  Just look at your necktie!”