She would take it as a great kindness if she could be permitted to make herself useful.
All this was honey to the proprietor.

How Mrs.Dillingham would shine in his splendid mansion! How she would illuminate his landau! How she would save his quiet wife, not to say himself, from the _gaucheries_ of which both would be guilty until the ways of the polite world could be learned! How delightful it would be to have a sympathetic friend whose intelligent and considerate advice would be always ready! When the gentlemen returned to the drawing-room, and disturbed the confidential _tete-a-tete_ of these new friends, Mrs.Dillingham declared it was time to go, and Mr.Belcher insisted on seeing her home in his own carriage.
The dinner party broke up with universal hand-shakings.

Mr.Belcher was congratulated on his magnificent purchase and prospects.

They would all be happy to make Mrs.Belcher's acquaintance, and she really must lose no time in letting them know when she would be ready to receive visitors.
Mr.Belcher saw Mrs.Dillingham home.

He held her pretty hands at parting, as if he were an affectionate older brother who was about to sail on a voyage around the world.