She advanced slowly and gracefully, amid a profound silence.

Just as she reached the tea-table her grandmother said in a terrible voice: "Margaret!" "Yes, Grandmother," responded Margaret smoothly, without looking at her.
"Mr.Arkwright here has brought in a scandalous story about your being engaged to that--that Josh person--the clerk in one of the departments.
Do you know him ?" "Yes, Grandma.

But not very well." Madam Bowker glanced triumphantly at Arkwright; he was gazing amazedly at Margaret.
"You see, Grant," said Roxana, with her foolish, pleasant laugh, "there is nothing in it." "In what ?" asked Margaret innocently, emptying the hot water from her cup.
"In the story of your engagement, dear," said her mother.
"Oh, yes, there is," replied Margaret with a smiling lift of her brows.
"It's quite true." Then, suddenly drawing herself up, she wheeled on Grant with a frown as terrible as her grandmother's own.

"Be off!" she said imperiously.
Arkwright literally shrank from the room.

As he reached the door he saw her shiver and heard her mutter, "Reptile!".