Oddly artificial as it undoubtedly was, Mrs.
Vimpany's manner produced nevertheless an agreeable impression.
Disposed to doubt her at first, Mountjoy found that she was winning her way to a favourable change in his opinion.

She so far interested him, that he began to wonder what her early life might have been, when she was young and handsome.

He looked again at the portraits of actresses on the walls, and the plays on the bookshelf--and then (when she was speaking to Iris) he stole a sly glance at the doctor's wife.

Was it possible that this remarkable woman had once been an actress?
He attempted to put the value of that guess to the test by means of a complimentary allusion to the prints.
"My memory as a playgoer doesn't extend over many years," he began; "but I can appreciate the historical interest of your beautiful prints." Mrs.Vimpany bowed gracefully--and dumbly.

Mountjoy tried again.