The
young men soon discovered they could make no impression on this
lovely importation, for her eyes strayed constantly to her husband;
until he disappeared in search of cronies, whiskey, and a cigar: then
she looked depressed for a moment, but gave a still closer attention
to the women about her.
In love with her husband but a woman-of-the-world. Manners as fine
as Mrs. McLane's, but too aloof and sensitive to care for leadership.
She had made the grand tour in Europe, they discovered, and enjoyed a
season in Washington. She should continue to live at the Occidental
Hotel as her husband would be out so much at night and she was rather
timid. And she was bright, unaffected, responsive. Could anything be
more reassuring? There was nothing to be apprehended by the socially
ambitious, the proud housewives, or those prudent dames whose amours
were conducted with such secrecy that they might too easily be
supplanted by a predatory coquette. The girls drew little unconscious
sighs of relief. Sally Ballinger vowed she would become her intimate
friend, Sibyl Geary that she would copy her gowns. Mrs. Abbott
succumbed. In short they all took her to their hearts. She was one of
them from that time forth and the reign of crinoline was over.
III
The Talbots remained to supper and arrived at the Occidental Hotel
at the dissipated hour of half past nine.
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