But her "young man" look won for her many a feminine friendship which she impatiently repelled; for sentimentality disgusted her.
The door of the partners' room opened and in walked Honoria Fraser.
She was probably three years older than Vivie and likewise a well-favoured woman, a little more matronly in appearance, somewhat after the style of a married actress who really loves her husband and has preserved her own looks wonderfully, though no one would take her for less than twenty-eight.
At the sight of her, Vivie lost her frown and tossed the letter on to the bureau.
Honoria Fraser had been lunching with friends in Portland Place.
_Honoria_: "What a swotter you are! I _thought_ I should find you here.

I suppose the staff departed punctually at One?
I've come back expressly from the Michael Rossiters to carry you off to them--or rather to Kew.

They're going to have tea with the Thiselton-Dyers and then revel in azaleas and roses.

I shall go out and charter a hansom and we'll drive down ...

it'll be some compensation for your having worked extra hard whilst I've been away....
"I met such a delightful man at the Rossiters'!" (slightly flushing) "Don't look at me so reproachfully! There _are_ delightful men--a few--in existence.