\"Itwasgoodofyoutocomesopromptly，\"saidshe。\"I’msoanxioustohearallaboutthedearpeopleatRedding。\"
Shesettledgracefullyinoneofthelittlechairs。Ordesatdown，oncemoremasterofhimself，butstillinclinedtodevourherwithhisgaze。Shewasdressedinamorninggown，alllacesandribbonsandlong，flowinglines。Herhairwasdonelowonthebackofherheadandonthenapeofherneck。Thebloodebbedandflowedbeneathherclearskin。Afaintfragranceofcleanlinessdiffuseditselfabouther——thecool，sweetfragranceofdaintiness。Theyenteredbusilyintoconversation。Herattitudeswerenolongerrelaxedandlanguidlygracefulasintheeasychairsunderthelamplight。Shesatforward，herhandscrossedonherlap，afiresmoulderingdeepbeneaththecoolsurfacelightsofhereyes。
Thesoundsinthenextroomincreasedinvolume，asthoughseveralpeoplemusthaveenteredthatapartment。Inamomentorsothecurtainstothehallpartedtoframetheservant。
\"Mrs。Bishopwishestoknow，miss，\"saidthatfunctionary，\"ifyou’renotcomingtobreakfast。\"
Ordesprangtohisfeet。