Chapter 15

           NewlandArcherarrivedattheChiverses’onFridayevening,andonSaturdaywentconscientiouslythroughalltheritesappertainingtoaweek-endatHighbank.Inthemorninghehadaspinintheice-boatwithhishostessandafewofthehardierguests;intheafternoonhe"wentoverthefarm"withReggie,andlistened,intheelaboratelyappointedstables,tolongandimpressivedisquisitionsonthehorse;afterteahetalkedinacornerofthefirelithallwithayoungladywhohadprofessedherselfbroken-heartedwhenhisengagementwasannounced,butwasnoweagertotellhimofherownmatrimonialhopes;andfinally,aboutmidnight,heassistedinputtingagold-fishinonevisitor’sbed,dressedupaburglarinthebath-roomofanervousaunt,andsawinthesmallhoursbyjoininginapillow-fightthatrangedfromthenurseriestothebasement.ButonSundayafterluncheonheborrowedacutter,anddroveovertoSkuytercliff.PeoplehadalwaysbeentoldthatthehouseatSkuytercliffwasanItalianvilla.ThosewhohadneverbeentoItalybelievedit;sodidsomewhohad.ThehousehadbeenbuiltbyMr.vanderLuydeninhisyouth,onhisreturnfromthe"grandtour,"andinanticipationofhisapproachingmarriagewithMissLouisaDagonet.Itwasalargesquarewoodenstructure,withtonguedandgroovedwallspaintedpalegreenandwhite,aCorinthianportico,andflutedpilastersbetweenthewindows.