It wrought upon him and upon the company the effect which she designed.

She was determined he should not only show at his best, but that he should be conscious of the favor she had won for him.
Before dinner was announced, Mr.Talbot made a little speech to his guests, ostensibly to give them the good news that Mr.Belcher had purchased the mansion, built and formerly occupied by Mr.Palgrave, but really to explain that he had caught him in town on business, and taken him at the disadvantage of distance from his evening dress, though, of course, he did not say it in such and so many words.

The speech was unnecessary.

Mrs.Dillingham had told the whole story in her own unapproachable way.
When dinner was announced Mr.Belcher was requested to lead Mrs.Talbot to her seat, and was himself placed between his hostess and Mrs.
Dillingham.

Mrs.Talbot was a stately, beautiful woman, and bore off her elegant toilet like a queen.