Come down to the
drawing-room with me and let me introduce you to the ladies."
"Very well; but first tell me if my toilet satisfies you."
He gave her a scrutinizing glance. "Entirely; you are as lovely as a
fairy," he said, with a proud, fond smile.
"Oh, you flatterer!" she returned with a pleased laugh, and slipping her
hand into his.
"Your wife!" exclaimed both ladies when the introduction was over. "She
looks so young!"
"So _very_ young that I should have taken her for a school-girl," added
Miss Deane, with a condescending smile that enraged Zoe.
"And I take you for an old maid of twenty-five," was her mental retort. "I
dare say you'd be glad enough to be as young as I am, and to have such a
handsome husband." But she merely made a demure little courtesy and
withdrew to a seat beside her mother-in-law on the farther side of the
room, her heightened color and flashing eyes alone telling how indignant
she felt.
"Never mind, dear, you are growing older every day," Elsie said in a
soothing undertone, "and are just the right age for Edward. We all think
that, and I that you are a dear little daughter for me.
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