Международный эпизод

           “Andifsheistomeetusatherson’shousetheobligationwasallthegreaterforhertocalluponus.”Bessiehadnottowaitlong,anditappearedthatLordLambeth’smothernowacceptedMrs.Westgate’sviewofherduties.Onthemorrow,earlyintheafternoon,twocardswerebroughttotheapartmentoftheAmericanladies—oneofthembearingthenameoftheDuchessofBayswaterandtheotherthatoftheCountessofPimlico.Mrs.Westgateglancedattheclock.“Itisnotyetfour,”shesaid;“theyhavecomeearly;theywishtoseeus.Wewillreceivethem.”Andshegaveordersthathervisitorsshouldbeadmitted.Afewmomentslatertheywereintroduced,andtherewasasolemnexchangeofamenities.Theduchesswasalargelady,withafinefreshcolor;theCountessofPimlicowasveryprettyandelegant.Theduchesslookedaboutherasshesatdown—lookednotespeciallyatMrs.Westgate.“IdaresaymysonhastoldyouthatIhavebeenwantingtocomeandseeyou,”sheobserved.“Youareverykind,”saidMrs.Westgate,vaguely—herconsciencenotallowinghertoassenttothisproposition—and,indeed,notpermittinghertoenunciateherownwithanyappreciableemphasis.“HesaysyouweresokindtohiminAmerica,”saidtheduchess.“Weareveryglad,”Mrs.Westgatereplied,“tohavebeenabletomakehimalittlemore—alittleless—alittlemorecomfortable.”“Ithinkhestayedatyourhouse,”remarkedtheDuchessofBayswater,lookingatBessieAlden.“Averyshorttime,”saidMrs.Westgate.