Even science is
susceptible to judicious flattery, and Mrs. Jasher was never
backward in putting her admiration into words. Female gossip
declared that the widow wished to become the second Mrs.
Braddock, but if this was really the case, she had but small
chance of gaining her end. The Professor had once sacrificed his
liberty to secure a competence, and, having acquired five hundred
a year, was not inclined for a second matrimonial venture. Had
the widow been a dollar heiress with a million at her back he
would not have troubled to place a ring on her finger. And
certainly Mrs. Jasher had little to gain from such a dreary
marriage, beyond a collection of rubbish--as she said--and a
dull country house situated in a district inhabited solely by
peasants belonging to Saxon times.
Archie Hope left Lucy at the door of the Pyramids and repaired to
his village lodgings, for the purpose of assuming evening dress.
Lucy, being her own housekeeper, assisted the overworked parlor
maid to lay and decorate the table before receiving the guests.
Thus Mrs. Jasher found no one in the drawing-room to welcome her,
and, taking the privilege of old friendship, descended to beard
Braddock in his den. The Professor raised his eyes from a newly
bought scarabeus to behold a stout little lady smiling on him
from the doorway.
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