There was an awkward silence.  Widdowson was about to say something to Monica, when Mrs. Luke, who had again closely observed the girl through the glasses, interposed in a gentle tone.

‘Do you like this neighbourhood, Miss Madden?’

Monica gave the expected answer, her voice sounding very weak and timid by comparison.  And so, for some ten minutes, an appearance of dialogue was sustained.  Mrs. Luke, though still condescending, evinced a desire to be agreeable; she smiled and nodded in reply to the girl’s remarks, and occasionally addressed Virginia with careful civility, conveying the impression, perhaps involuntarily, that she commiserated the shy and shabbily-dressed person.  Tea was brought in, and after pretending to take a cup, she rose for departure.

‘Perhaps you will come and see me some day, Miss Madden,’ fell from her with unanticipated graciousness, as she stepped forward to the girl and offered her hand.  ’Edmund must bring you—­at some quiet time when we can talk.  Very glad to have met you—­very glad indeed.’

And the personage was gone; they heard her carriage roll away from beneath the window.  All three drew a breath of relief, and Widdowson, suddenly quite another man, took a place near to Virginia, with whom in a few minutes he was conversing in the friendliest way.  Virginia, experiencing a like relief, also became herself; she found courage to ask needful questions, which in every case were satisfactorily met.  Of Mrs. Luke there was no word, but when they had taken their leave—­the visit lasted altogether some two hours—­Monica and her sister discussed that great lady with the utmost freedom.  They agreed that she was personally detestable.

‘But very rich, my dear,’ said Virginia in a murmuring voice.  ’You can see that.  I have met such people before; they have a manner—­ oh!  Of course Mr. Widdowson will take you to call upon her.’

‘When nobody else is likely to be there; that’s what she meant,’ remarked Monica coldly.

’Never mind, my love.  You don’t wish for grand society.  I am very glad to tell you that Edmund impresses me very favourably.  He is reserved, but that is no fault.  Oh, we must write to Alice at once!  Her surprise!  Her delight!’

When, on the next day, Monica met her betrothed in Regent’s Park—­ she still lived with Mildred Vesper, but no longer went to Great Portland Street—­their talk was naturally of Mrs. Luke.  Widdowson speedily led to the topic.

‘I had told you,’ he said, with careful accent, ’that I see very little of her.  I can’t say that I like her, but she is a very difficult person to understand, and I fancy she often gives offence when she doesn’t at all mean it.  Still, I hope you were not—­ displeased?’

Monica avoided a direct answer.

‘Shall you take me to see her?’ were her words.

’If you will go, dear.  And I have no doubt she will be present at our wedding.  Unfortunately, she’s my only relative; or the only one I know anything about.  After our marriage I don’t think we shall see much of her—­’