The yellow book: an illustrated quarterly (2.1894)

By Henry James 341

this : I waited impatiently to see whether she wouldn't have told
Mrs. Mulville a portion at least of what I had learned from
Gravener. But I saw Mrs. Mulville was still reduced to wonder
what she had come out again for if she hadn't come as a concilia-
tory bride. That she had come in sorae other character was the
only thing that fitted all the appearances. Having for family
reasons to spend some time that spring in the west of England, I
was in a manner out of earshot of the great oceanic rumble (I
mean of the continuous hum of Saltram's thought), and my
nervousness tended to keep me quiet. There was something I
wanted so little to have to say that my prudence surmounted my
curiosity. I only wondered if Ruth Anvoy talked over the idea
of the Coxon Fund with Lady Maddock, and also somewhat why
I didn't hear from Wimbledon. I had a reproachful note about
something or other from Mrs. Saltram, but it contained no
mention of Lady Coxon's niece, on whom her eyes had been
much less fixed since the recent untoward events.

X

Adelaide's silence was fully explained later ; it was practically
explained when in June, returning to London, Ijwas honoured by
this admirable woman with an early visit. As soon as she
appeared I guessed everything, and as soon as she told me that
darling Ruth had been in her house nearly a month I
exclaimed: " What in the name of maidenly modesty is she
staying in England for ? "

" Because she loves me so !" cried Adelaide gaily. But she
had not come to see me only to teil me Miss Anvoy loved her :

that