XXXII

           ShedrovefromMissPainter’stoherownapartment.Themaid-servantwhohaditinchargehadbeenapprisedofhercoming,andhadopenedoneortwooftherooms,andpreparedafireinherbedroom.Annashutherselfin,refusingthewoman’sministrations.Shefeltcoldandfaint,andaftershehadtakenoffherhatandcloakshekneltdownbythefireandstretchedherhandstoit.

           Inonerespect,atleast,itwascleartoherthatshewoulddowelltofollowSophyViner’scounsel.IthadbeenanactoffollytofollowOwen,andherfirstbusinesswastogetbacktoGivrebeforehim.Buttheonlytrainleavingthateveningwasaslowone,whichdidnotreachFrancheuiltillmidnight,andsheknewthathertakingitwouldexciteMadamedeChantelle’swonderandleadtointerminabletalk.ShehadcomeuptoParisonthepretextoffindinganewgovernessforEffie,andthenaturalthingwastodeferherreturntillthenextmorning.SheknewOwenwellenoughtobesurethathewouldmakeanotherattempttoseeMissViner,andfailingthat,wouldwriteagainandawaitheranswer:sothattherewasnolikelihoodofhisreachingGivretillthefollowingevening.

           Hersenseofreliefatnothavingtostartoutatonceshowedherforthefirsttimehowtiredshewas.Thebonnehadsuggestedacupoftea,butthedreadofhavinganyoneaboutherhadmadeAnnarefuse,andshehadeatennothingsincemorningbutasandwichboughtatabuffet.Shewastootiredtogetup,butstretchingoutherarmshedrewtowardherthearm-chairwhichstoodbesidethehearthandrestedherheadagainstitscushions.