It looked like
an apartment kept only for the reception of visitors--an apartment
which lacked all the warmth and comfort of home.
Victor waited for some time, and began to think his message had not
been taken to the mistress of the house, when the door was opened, and
Miss Brewer appeared.
She looked at the visitor with an inquisitive glance as she entered the
room, and approached him softly, with her light, greenish-grey eyes
fixed upon his face.
"Madame Durski has been suffering from nervous headache all day," she
said, "and has not yet risen. Her dinner-hour is half-past six. If your
business is really of importance, and if you care to wait, she will be
happy to see you then."
"My business is of real importance; and I shall be very glad to wait,"
answered Victor. "Since Madame Durski is, unhappily, unable to receive
me for some time, I shall gladly avail myself of the opportunity, in
order to enjoy a little conversation with you, Miss Brewer," he said,
courteously, "always supposing that you are not otherwise engaged."
"I have no other engagement whatever," answered the lady, in a cold,
measured voice.
"I wish to speak to you upon very serious business," continued Victor,
"and I believe that I can venture to address you with perfect candour.
The business to which I allude concerns the interests of Madame Durski,
and I have every reason to suppose that you are thoroughly devoted to
her interests.
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