Part 21 (1/2)
”Oh, I guess they will at least have clean faces,” said June, significantly.
”The guests are already beginning to arrive,” said Paul, as he stepped to the door.
”Is it not too bad? I asked Paul to take part in some of the dances, and he very politely but decidedly refused. He said that he might look in occasionally, but the greater part of the evening he should devote to papa's amus.e.m.e.nt.”
”That is quite proper, and it is well for you that he refused. It would have looked extremely out of place for your brother's valet to appear with your guests.”
”I suppose it would have been the means of our losing caste,” said June, a little sarcastically.
At that moment Scott appeared.
He stopped a moment, feasting his eyes on June's bright face and beautiful dress, then an admiring glance rested on his wife, but he said nothing, only politely offering himself as their escort.
It seemed a wonder to Irene that Scott could not see how sweetly June was dressed. Her dress of pale blue satin, cut just low enough to reveal the lovely white neck, the delicate sprays of forget-me-not and sapphire jewels were wondrously becoming to her fair complexion and sunny hair, and Irene, although possessed of an envious nature, could not help acknowledging that June looked lovely indeed.
”June,” said Irene, as later in the evening they were standing together, ”who is that sweet looking girl you introduced me to--the one in that rich garnet silk? I did not quite understand her name.”
”Why, that is Miss Horton, the country girl,” said June, biting her under lip.
”Why, what little dimpled hands she has.”
”Yes; they are very pretty. That fine, intelligent young man talking to Scott is her brother Guy.”
”Is it possible? There _is_ something fine looking about him.”
”Oh, yes; they say he is quite an orator, as well as a literary person, and is talking of starting a publis.h.i.+ng house somewhere. Mr.
Eggleston tells me he is very ambitious.”
”You must introduce me when he and Scott have finished that very earnest conversation. You know I am partial to literary people, and don't forget to mention that I write.”
”You have forgotten that he is from the country.”
”Oh, of course I did not mean anything by that remark.”
June was left alone, and ere long she noticed Irene seated near the young lady in the garnet silk, with Max Brunswick leaning over her and speaking in a low voice. Guy's eyes rested on the couple, and as was natural to any one present, could not fail to notice their fine appearance.
”Who is the gentleman leaning over that beautiful woman in the cream colored silk?” Guy asked.
”His name is Brunswick.”
”Colonel Max Brunswick?” Guy asked, suddenly.
”Yes,” said Scott, ”do you know him?”
”He must be the gentleman who wrote me in regard to taking an interest in my business. I gave him no encouragement, as I do not think it policy to hurry matters of that kind. He may be all right, though. He seems to have his mind just at present concentrated on that beautiful young lady before him.”
Scott tried to say that the young lady was his wife, and looking at her as Guy did, he thought that the attentions which she was receiving were not at all unpleasant to her. He tried to speak ere Guy had a chance to wound him further and tell him that she was his wife, and Brunswick only her friend, but even with all his ready tact and easy flow of language he was unable to speak the words.