The girl had never looked to such advantage;
he had never been so often apprised of the general admiration she
excited. Beyond doubt, she would do him credit--in Arnold's view
the first qualification in a wife. She was really very intelligent,
could hold her own in any company, and with experience might become
a positively brilliant woman.
For caresses, for endearments, the time was not yet; that kind of
thing, among self-respecting people of a certain class, came only
with the honeymoon. Yet Arnold never for a moment doubted that the
girl was very fond of him. Of course it was for his sake that she
had refused Trafford Romaine--a most illuminating incident. That
she was proud of him, went without saying. He noted with
satisfaction how thoroughly she had embraced his political views,
what a charming Imperialist she had become. In short, everything
promised admirably. At moments, Arnold felt the burning of a lover's
impatience.
They parted. The Derwents returned to London; Arnold set off to pay
a hasty visit or two in the North. The wedding was to take place a
couple of months hence, and the pair would spend their Christmas in
Egypt.
A few days after her arrival in Bryanston Square, Irene went to see
the Hannafords. She found her aunt in a deplorable state, unable to
converse, looking as if on the verge of a serious illness. Olga
behaved strangely, like one in harassing trouble of which she might
not speak.
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