There were a few
introductions still to be effected.
Whilst Lady Maltenby was engaged in this task, which she performed
at all times with the unfailing tact of a great hostess, Julian
broke off in his conversation with the two soldiers and looked
steadfastly across the room at Catherine Abbeway, as though
anxious to revise or complete his earlier impressions of her. She
was of medium height, not unreasonably slim, with a deliberate but
noticeably graceful carriage. Her complexion was inclined to be
pale. She had large, soft brown eyes, and hair of an unusual
shade of chestnut brown, arranged with remarkably effective
simplicity. She wore a long string of green beads around her
neck, a black tulle gown without any relief of colour, but a
little daring in its cut. Her voice and laugh, as she stood
talking to the Bishop, were delightful, and neither her gestures
nor her accent betrayed the slightest trace of foreign blood. She
was, without a doubt, extraordinarily attractive, gracious almost
to freedom in her manner, and yet with that peculiar quality of
aloofness only recognisable in the elect,--a very appreciable
charm. Julian found his undoubted admiration only increased by
his closer scrutiny. Nevertheless, as he watched her, there was a
slightly puzzled frown upon his forehead, a sense of something
like bewilderment mingled with those other feelings. His mother,
who had turned to speak to the object of his attentions, beckoned
him, and he crossed the room at once to their side.
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