With tea was announced also the advent of Georgie Pillson who was her
gentleman-in-waiting when she was at home, and her watch-dog when she
was not. In order to save subsequent disappointment, it may be at once
stated that there never has been, was, or ever would be the smallest
approach to a flirtation between them. Neither of them, she with her
forty respectable years and he with his blameless forty-five years, had
ever flirted, with anybody at all. But it was one of the polite and
pleasant fictions of Riseholme that Georgie was passionately attached
to her and that it was for her sake that he had settled in Riseholme
now some seven years ago, and that for her sake he remained still
unmarried. She never, to do her justice, had affirmed anything of the
sort, but it is a fact that sometimes when Georgie's name came up in
conversation, her eyes wore that "far-away" look that only the
masterpieces of art could otherwise call up, and she would sigh and
murmur "Dear Georgie"! and change the subject, with the tact that
characterized her. In fact their mutual relations were among the most
Beautiful Things of Riseholme, and hardly less beautiful was Peppino's
attitude towards it all. That large hearted man trusted them both, and
his trust was perfectly justified. Georgie was in and out of the house
all day, chiefly in; and not only did scandal never rear its hissing
head, but it positively had not a head to hiss with, or a foot to stand
on.
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