She kept looking with an air of
trepidation at her husband who was being effusively polite to my
grandfather.
There were only ourselves and the Ardaraghs present of the
county-people. The other guests were staying at Damerstown or had come
from a distance; they were very fashionable, but I did not like the very
low dresses and the loud talk of the ladies, nor the tired,
cynical-looking men. Every one of the men, old and young, wore the same
expression. I have seen its like since at a foreign Casino, where I
watched the baccarat.
The groups broke up as dinner was announced. Mr. Dawson gave his arm to
my grandmother. I waited, wondering who might fall to my lot. Then from
the group which had been about Lady Ardaragh's chair came--Richard
Dawson. He had an air as though he came but half willingly.
Mrs. Dawson, who was going in with my grandfather, turned to me in a
great flurry.
"My son will have the honour to take you in, Miss Devereux," she said.
The words sounded as though they had been learnt off by heart.
Then Richard Dawson looked at me; and I saw the stupefaction in his
eyes. I looked back at him, a direct glance of hatred, as I put my
finger-tips gingerly on his sleeve.
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