And then, in an instant, "What 's the matter with that buggy ?" His practiced ear had apparently detected an unnatural creak in the wheels of the light vehicle which had been brought to the portico, and he hurried away to investigate so grave an anomaly.
The Baroness walked homeward, alone, in the starlight, asking herself a question.

Was she to have gained nothing--was she to have gained nothing?
Gertrude Wentworth had held a silent place in the little circle gathered about the two gentlemen from Boston.

She was not interested in the visitors; she was watching Madame Munster, as she constantly watched her.

She knew that Eugenia also was not interested--that she was bored; and Gertrude was absorbed in study of the problem how, in spite of her indifference and her absent attention, she managed to have such a charming manner.

That was the manner Gertrude would have liked to have; she determined to cultivate it, and she wished that--to give her the charm--she might in future very often be bored.