Altogether, he anticipated a disagreeable quarter
of an hour.
He was admitted smilingly by a woman, and noticed with some
surprise that Gibber the page was not at his accustomed post.
But he put this down to the fact that there was no gambling on
this particular evening. The windows of the great salon were
dark, and Senora Gredos received him in a small apartment
which she used as a sitting-room. Her couch was drawn up
close to the fire, and she appeared to be in better health
than usual. Standing at the door, Mallow thought she made a
pretty picture. She had on a white wrapper trimmed with gold
lace, and as usual, wore a profusion of jewelry. Across the
lower part of the couch was flung a gorgeous purple coverlet
of eastern manufacture, and what with the brilliant colors and
the glitter of precious stones, she looked remarkably eastern
herself. Mallow noticed particularly how Jewish she was in
appearance, and wondered how he could have been so blind as
not to have remarked it before. The room looked cheerful and
warm, and was welcome after the chilly, dreary streets.
Mallow, having taken off his overcoat in the hall, came
forward and bowed somewhat formally, but Maraquito was not to
be put off with so frigid a greeting. Holding out both hands,
she shook his warmly and pointed to a chair near her couch.
It was now a few minutes after nine.
"How good of you to come and see me," she said in her deep,
rich voice.
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