Eleanor joined them in
a few moments, and the mental condition of the atmosphere became
somewhat less cloudy than before, when suddenly a stupid servant, who
had only just been engaged and did not entirely know the ways of the
house, ushered directly into the sewing-room Mr. Reynolds Bartram.
Eleanor sprang to her feet, spreading dress-goods, and needles, and
spools of silk, and thread, and scissors, and thimbles, all over the
floor. Jane looked up timidly for an instant, and bent her head lower
over her work. But Mrs. Prency received him as graciously as if she
were the Queen of England sitting upon her throne, with her royal robes
upon her.
"I merely dropped in to see the judge, Mrs. Prency. I beg pardon for
intruding upon the business of the day."
"I don't suppose he is at home," said the lady. "You have been at the
office?"
"Yes, and I was assured he was here. I was anxious to see him at once.
I suspect I have a very heavy case on my hands, Mrs. Prency. What do
you suppose I have agreed to do? I have promised, actually promised, to
persuade him to come down to the church this evening and take part in
the meetings."
Eleanor, who had just reseated herself, flashed an indignant look at
him. The young man saw it; but if the spirit of regeneration had worked
upon him to a sufficient extent to make him properly sensitive to the
looks and manners of estimable young women, he showed no sign of it at
the moment.
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