Godfrey was equally inscrutable and
therefore wholly different from what he had been as he stood before
her in the park. If he was to start on his career (with such a
wife!--wouldn't she utterly blight it?) he was already professional
enough to know how to wear a mask.
Before they rose from table she felt herself wholly bewildered, so
little were such large causes traceable in their effects. She had
nerved herself for a great ordeal, but the air was as sweet as an
anodyne. It was perfectly plain to her that her father was deadly
sore--as pathetic as a person betrayed. He was broken, but he showed
no resentment; there was a weight on his heart, but he had lightened
it by dressing as immaculately as usual for dinner. She asked
herself what immensity of a row there could have been in town to have
left his anger so spent. He went through everything, even to sitting
with his son after dinner. When they came out together he invited
Beatrice and Muriel to the billiard-room, and as Miss Flynn
discreetly withdrew Adela was left alone with Godfrey, who was
completely changed and not now in the least of a rage. He was broken
too, but not so pathetic as his father. He was only very correct and
apologetic he said to his sister: "I'm awfully sorry YOU were
annoyed--it was something I never dreamed of."
She couldn't think immediately what he meant; then she grasped the
reference to her extraordinary invader. She was uncertain, however,
what tone to take; perhaps his father had arranged with him that they
were to make the best of it.
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