Chapter IV

           Myguardianwasamanwhosecustomitwastogivelargeanddignifiedparties.Amonghisgrandandfashionablegueststherewasnearlyalwaysasprinklingofthemoreimportantmembersoftheliteraryworld.ThenightafterIarrivedtherewastobeaparticularlynotabledinner.Ihadcomepreparedtoappearatit.Jeanhadbroughtfinearrayformeandacaseofjewels.IknewImustbe“dressedup”andlookasimportantasIcould.WhenIwentup-stairsaftertea,Jeanwasinmyroomlayingthingsoutonthebed.

           “Themanyoulikesomuchistodinehereto-night,Ysobel,”shesaid.“Mr.HectorMacNairn.”

           IbelieveIevenputmyhandsuddenlytomyheartasIstoodandlookedather,Iwassostartledandsoglad.

           “Youmusttellhimhowmuchyoulovehisbooks,”shesaid.Shehadaquiet,motherlyway.

           “Therewillbesomanyotherpeoplewhowillwanttotalktohim,”Ianswered,andIfeltalittlebreathlesswithexcitementasIsaidit.

           “AndIshouldbetooshytoknowhowtosaysuchthingsproperly.”

           “Don’tbeafraidofhim,”washeradvice.“Themanwillbelikehisbooks,andthey’rethejoyofyourlife.”

           Shemademelookasniceasshecouldinthenewdressshehadbrought;shemademeweartheMuircarriediamondsandsentmedownstairs.Itdoesnotmatterwhotheguestswere;Iscarcelyremember.Iwastakenintodinnerbyastatelyelderlymanwhotriedtomakemetalk,andatlastwasabsorbedbythecleverwomanonhisotherside.

           Ifoundmyselflookingbetweentheflowersforaman’sfaceIcouldimaginewasHectorMacNairn’s.