XVII

           AtdinnerthateveningMadamedeChantelle’sslendermonologuewasthrownoutovergulfsofsilence.OwenwasstillinthesamestateofmoodyabstractionaswhenDarrowhadlefthimatthepiano;andevenAnna’sface,toherfriend’svigilanteye,revealednot,perhaps,apersonalpreoccupation,butavaguesenseofimpendingdisturbance.

           Shesmiled,sheboreapartinthetalk,hereyesdweltonDarrow’swiththeirusualdeepreliance;butbeneaththesurfaceofherserenityhistenseperceptionsdetectedahiddenstir.

           Hewassufficientlyself-possessedtotellhimselfthatitwasdoubtlessduetocauseswithwhichhewasnotdirectlyconcerned.HeknewthequestionofOwen’smarriagewassoontoberaised,andtheabruptalterationintheyoungman’smoodmadeitseemprobablethathewashimselfthecentreoftheatmosphericdisturbance.ForamomentitoccurredtoDarrowthatAnnamighthaveemployedherafternooninpreparingMadamedeChantelleforhergrandson’simpendingannouncement;butaglanceattheelderlady’suncloudedbrowshowedthathemustseekelsewherethecluetoOwen’staciturnityandhisstep-mother’sconcern.PossiblyAnnahadfoundreasontochangeherownattitudeinthematter,andhadmadethechangeknowntoOwen.Butthis,again,wasnegativedbythefactthat,duringtheafternoon’sshooting,youngLeathhadbeeninamoodofalmostextravagantexpansiveness,andthat,fromthemomentofhislatereturntothehousetilljustbeforedinner,therehadbeen,toDarrow’scertainknowledge,nopossibilityofaprivatetalkbetweenhimselfandhisstep-mother.